Category Archives: Modern Classic

1988 Ferrari Testarossa

October 9, 2012 Graham 4 Comments

The Ferrari Testarossa is one of our favorites here at CICFS and currently, they have become more affordable than ever, no doubt as a result of a lagging economy and the fact that they fall into that modern classic category where bargains can be had. I was watching What’s My Car Worth on the Velocity Channel the other night and a 1991 Testarossa in average condition sold for $45,000. This example for sale in Las Vegas is three years older than the car featured on that show and wears the unusual shade of Oro Chiaro Metallizato (light metallic beige).

1988 Ferrari Testarossa

This very preserved original one owner Testarossa features a vary rare gold/pewter color. The car is all original, however we discovered the original audio unit in the car was not working so we replaced it with a modern unit. The original one comes with the car. The car has a 5-speed with very low Only 3539 miles it has been very well maintained and all open recalls have been preformed. The car appears to be mechanically sound with clutch & brakes in good working order with no major probelms found. We have noted that the power passenger window goes up and down slower than the driver's window. Also the drivers seat does show some wear and the exterior shows very well. The car also includes Ferrari tools, books, and a car cover.

This Testarossa is an interesting specimen. Sure, it has been used sparingly, but a lot of people will be put off by a color more suited for a Toyota Camry, no matter how rare the hue may be. That being said, $75,000 is probably optimistic, as there are a lot of low mileage Testarossas on the market. We are probably looking at a $60,000 car at best. It's always nice to see the rare colors come about for sale, but honestly, traditional Rosso Corsa is where it's at with these sports cars.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo, Modern Classic

1984 Alfa Romeo GTV6

October 7, 2012 Graham

On Friday we featured a fine, restored specimen of an Alfa Romeo GTV6. It was possibly one of the best GTV6s we've seen here at CICFS. These coupes offer one of the best performance values for money when it comes to classic Italian cars, so I thought we should highlight another, if not as mint, example for sale in Florida.

1984 Alfa Romeo GTV6

Best described as an "excellent driver." Mechanically sound and visually stunning. More than $8,000 spent on repairs in the last two years, including, timing belt, rebuilt transmission, alignment, A/C repair, clutch, outer and inner shaft bearings, and lug nuts, new battery. I have all the documentation available. I've been using it as my daily driver for 18 months. The work was perfomed at Stephens Alfa in Pompano Beach and Auto Veloce Inc North Miami Beach. Both strictly Alfa shops. The underside carriage is in very good condition. There is no sign of damage or rust repair.

The car sits on aftermarket alloy wheels. New tires. The interior is in great condition. There are a couple of cracks on dashboard, and it has an AutoSport GTV6 cover on it. All gauges and switches are fully operational. A/C blows cold. The engine compartment is in good original condition.The trunk is in very good condition. Pictures speak for themselves. Inspections welcomed. Growing family forces sale. Milleage:179 000 NADA Values for 84' GTV6, Low retail: $7,612 Average retail: $9,450 High retail: $12,967.

While this car has very high mileage for an Alfa Romeo, the host of maintenance and repairs it's benefitted from is impressive, as the owner has spent the cost of the car in getting it sorted. I'd say the $7,000 asking price is just about right, if this car turns out to be as nice as described.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo, Modern Classic

1986 Alfa Romeo GTV6

October 5, 2012 Graham 1 Comment

A friend of mine from Rotterdam once told me, "if you ain't Dutch, you ain't much." I honestly think there's some truth to that statement after visiting Amsterdam and parts of the Dutch countryside. With interesting people comes interesting cars, it seems. Of all the vehicles we cover here at CICFS and our sister site, German Cars for Sale Blog, some of the most immaculate and unique specimens hail from The Netherlands. This restored Alfa Romeo GTV6 with a 3.0 liter V6 is just one such car, a very impressive specimen of one of the most revered sports cars to come out of Italy in the 1980s.

1986 Alfa Romeo GTV6

Hereby I want to sell my super maintained Alfa Romeo GTV6, with 3.0 liter engine. Fully restored (October 1997 to August 1999). Only driven 4,500 km (only in good weather). Nearly perfect cosmetically and mechanically. Engine: 2959 CC/188PS. Cylinder head completely overhauled, six new cylinder liners, six new pistons. Crankshaft balanced, clutch replaced, valve cover and air intake are glass-pearl blasted and polished. All engine parts are cosmetic reconditioned. New timing belt, spark plugs, etc. Interior absolutely spotless and nearly like new! Body: two new front fenders, new spare wheel well, new paint job. Color Alfa Rosso 130. Extra's: car is lowered, central locking with remote control including immobilizer, 16 inch Zender wheels, original wheels (4x), power steering fitted after steering body was overhauled. Car has new "Apk" (Dutch MOT).

I've rarely seen a GTV6 in such great condition, and the level of reconditioning here is impressive. The Zender wheels are a nice period touch and the velour upholstery is a welcome change from the usual worn out leather trim we see in these cars. At the equivalent of $20,000, this is a big ask for a GTV6, no matter the vintage. This is surely a case of the seller attempting to recoup restoration costs. It's unlikely he'll get the asking price, as this car may bring $15,000 at the high end. In a few years time, though, as a new generation of enthusiasts come of age, we just may see GTV6 values take off in the manner that the earlier Giulia GTVs have.

-Paul

Ferrari, Modern Classic

1990 Ferrari 348TS

October 4, 2012 Graham 1 Comment

The beginning of the 1990s brought to a close one of Ferrari’s most memorable models, the 308/328. Immortalized through the hit TV series Magnum P.I. and numerous kit car tributes that aped its style on lowly Pontiac Fiero mechanicals, this was a car that defined a generation of sports cars and inspired budding car enthusiasts to work hard in the hopes of one day piloting one of these machines. With the arrival of the 348 in 1990, the same mid-engine, V8 formula was in play albeit in more modern clothes. These 348s have found themselves in a bit of a no man’s land in terms of desirability, between the classics and the more modern machines to emerge from the factory in Modena. This 348TS for sale in California is a good opportunity to get a well maintained modern classic at an attractive price.

1990 Ferrari 348TS

Up for sale is my prize 1990 Ferrari 348TS. I purchased a Lambo about a year ago, and have decided to part with this beloved car. This car is beautiful, has no accident history, and is in excellent condition. It has been serviced by Bobileff Motor Cars of San Diego during my ownership. They have all the detailed maintenance records for this car, and can vouch on the condition of this car. The car runs and drives excellent, I wouldn't be afraid to drive the car anywhere. This car is an excellent driver. Car is all original, with no modifications being done to anything. The interior is almost flawless, and in very good condition. Everything works on the car! The air conditioning does work, but is a little temper mental. So if your looking for a really nice 348, that's almost perfect this may be your car. I'm starting this auction at 30K, and no reserve. Bid with confidence, this car is solid, and will go quickly.

This car was my baby for almost 10 Years. It was well loved, and owned with pride. Always garaged, kept clean and dry. Take the time to check this one out, save yourself some cash. This is someone’s rare opportunity to drive a well maintained legion, for very little money. I’m motivated to sell, and will add more pictures. I didn’t provide many pictures of the interior, but it is beautiful with no rips, warn marks or tears what so ever.

I’m glad the seller explained where he’s serviced the car and where one can get detailed records from. Very important with this caliber of sports car. Its mileage of just under 40,000 is about average for 348s of this vintage and is nice to see, as this hasn’t been a garage queen nor has it been abused to within an inch of its life. Black is a favorite color of mine on these 348s, and the Pininfarina lines has aged quite nicely. It certainly isn’t as dated as some other sports cars of the era. A little more detail on what it would take to fix the A/C would be nice, but for me, I doubt I’d ever have the A/C on, as I’d have the windows down soaking in that legendary Ferrari V8 exhaust note.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo, Modern Classic

1987 Alfa Romeo Milano 2.5

September 29, 2012 Graham

The Milanos are coming out of the woodwork this week here at CICFS. Yet another mint example has cropped up. This particular car for sale in California has the smaller 2.5 V6 and represents the first model year that this Alfa Romeo brought this sedan to US shores.

1987 Alfa Romeo Milano 2.5

Offered for an appreciating new owner is this rare classic ONE-OWNER 1987 Alfa Romeo Milano 2.5! Finished in what appears to be all original black paint over grey cloth interior, this RUST-FREE classic Alfa sedan was purchased new 25 years ago right here in San Francisco and has been driven a mere 90,000 since. This is a great find for the Alfa enthusiast sporting the great-running 2.5 liter V6 engine mated to a 5 speed manual transmission, cold air conditioning, electric windows, original alloy wheels with Pirelli tires.

THE BODY AND TRIM
The body and trim of this 1987 Alfa are in VERY GOOD TO EXCELLENT CONDITION OVERALL! I would rate the 99.99% PERFECTLY RUST-FREE exterior finish of this car a solid "8" on a scale of 1-10. The black paint has a deep lustrous finish, all the trim is intact and original, the original alloy wheels are in excellent condition with deep tread on the Pirelli tires. Inside the engine bay is in excellent original condition as is the rear boot with original tool kit and factory jack and pouch.

THE INTERIOR
The interior of this little classic Alfa is in EXCELLENT ORIGINAL CONDITION overall. The grey cloth seats are in superb condition as are the crack-free dash, original carpets and doorpanels.The headliner shows some sagging, the stereo is awol, the a/c blows ice cold and ALL of the gauges, lights and blinkers work as they should.

THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE
This Milano starts, runs and drives VERY WELL! The engine is smooth and fairly powerful with a nice exhaust growl from the free revving V6 engine. The transmission shifts well and the steering is very tight and responsive. The braking is strong and straight and the suspension feels very good with no clunks or rattles. With its lively chassis and low curb weight [2,900 pounds] this Alfa is super satisfying to drive with gobs of that Italian "verve"! Note: there is some definite rear differential whine.

At just a shade under $6,000, this is a pretty good value as far as mint Milanos come. Of course, there are always strings attached and in this case, it would be the differential whine. The cause is most likely a worn thrust washer, which will involve disassembly of the gearbox. Not a job for the novice, then. Provided that job is all that needs sorting, it would prove well worth someone's time and effort to snap this Milano up, as these represent the end of an era in rear-drive Alfa Romeo sedan history.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo, Modern Classic

1989 Alfa Romeo Milano Verde

September 28, 2012 Graham 4 Comments

With the fall weather arriving here on the East Coast, I've got visions of escaping the city and tackling some winding B roads covered with leaves. What better tool for the job than a rear-wheel drive Alfa Romeo sedan? This Milano Verde for sale in North Carolina represents the final year for this four-door Alfa before the 164 sedan superseded it in 1991.

1989 Alfa Romeo Milano Verde

This Car is For Sale By Owner & I am helping him with the Listing. It will be a Sale between you & him. This Auction is for a 1989 Alfa Romeo Milano Verde, 3.0L V6, RWD with 5-speed transaxle mated to Limited Slip Diff. DeDeion suspension in rear, 123820 original miles.

The following is a List of the recent work performed on this car:

Brand new Paint
Refurbished Borbet wheels with brand new Sumitomo 205/50/16 tires
Full mechanical service:
Timing belt was done 20K miles ago ( by previous owner)
New P/S, Alt and A/C belts
New plugs, plug wires. Distributor cap/rotor Synthetic oil and filter
Flush rad, new thermostat, new rad hoses and new fan temperature switch
New fuel pump and fuel filter New oil pressure sender unit
New Interstate 75 month battery New exhaust system
Replaced 1 CV boot, other 3 are solid
New yellow Koni Shocks all around New suspension bushings (front and rear sway bars, Watts linkage)
Replaced rear guibo (flex joint for driveshaft), other two were replaced by previous owner and in good shape

Car operation:

All electrics work (power windows, locks, sunroof)
Engine starts easily and revs to redline (6000 rpm) with no issue
No leaks (oil, water, etc.)…..does not appear to burn any oil…
Interior is intact….minimal wear on upholstery.
The Recaro fabric used was notoriously thin and most Verdes have really bad interiors

The Bad:

Slight tears on rear fabric
Wear/staining on front seats…but no through wear on fabric
Some under fender flare rust
Some carpet fading….dye job would fix. No tears or rips in carpet
Minor tear in dash

When they were new, I never was too attracted to the Milano/75 styling, but time has been kind to this car in my eyes. It's got an '80s edginess about it that is lacking in cars today. Anywhere between $5,000 to $10,000 seems to be the order of the day for clean, well kept Milanos, and this one's starting bid of $6,800 puts it right in the thick of that range.

-Paul

Fiat, Modern Classic

1987 Bertone X1/9

September 25, 2012 Graham 1 Comment

The X1/9 could be considered as Fiat's last gasp in the US marketplace until their revival in 2012 with the 500. While Fiat itself left the US marketplace in 1982, the job of marketing and selling the X1/9 fell to its designer, Bertone. This X1/9 for sale in California represents the final year for these mid-engined sports cars. It has been stored for many years and has been sorted, ready for a new owner to take the helm.

1987 Bertone X1/9

The Bertone (Fiat) X1/9 for sale here is arguably one of, if not the finest available examples as it has only been driven 12,500 miles and just as importantly it has been fully sorted after sitting as in new condition for over 20 years. The previous seller tells me that due to Fiat leaving the USA, this car remained in storage until 2007 in a port near Houston, Texas. It is available in Pleasanton, California for $10,000 OBO

The X1/9 underwent three generations in the USA: 1974 cars, 1975-78 cars and 1979-87 cars. This one is in like new, mint condition, having been scrupulously maintained by an enthusiastic and meticulous owner since it was rescued. This last iteration of the X1/9 features the bigger 1500cc engine and 5 speed transmissions making it far better to drive in modern traffic. Creature comforts, such as power windows and A/C make it a surprisingly pleasurable touring vehicle as well as as an impressive sports car on the back roads.

The X1/9 succeeded a 1969 show concept car called the Autobianchi A112 Runabout, with styling by Bertone under chief designer Marcello Gandini. The interior is amazingly clean, with an attractive 3-spoke leather wheel and a very clean dash. We think the black color is more aggressive looking and ages better than the tan. The car has never had a spot of rust, and his is truly turn-key. An upgrade stereo is the only non-original component, and the original documentation history and literature are included.

This one represents an interesting opportunity for the Concorso and car museum guys, but we’d put it on the road for an enjoyable couple thousand miles per year under great care. That way it would still only have 27k miles after a decade, and would likely still be one of the lowest mileage examples around even though you would thoroughly enjoy the ownership experience for years to come.

I've seen a few low mileage X1/9s surface in the past six months, so we're not looking at an extremely rare car, but it is nicely presented and rust free. That's important on a car such as this which is highly susceptible to the tin worm. With no reserve on this tidy X1/9, we're probably looking at a $10,000 to $12,000 final bid.

-Paul

Lancia, Modern Classic

1987 Lancia Thema 8.32

September 21, 2012 Graham 1 Comment

With every passing year, a slew of interesting cars become available for import to the US that fall outside of the 25 year law set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. I've had my eyes on the Lancia Thema for a while, but not just any Thema, the one with the 3.0 liter Ferrari V8 under the hood. Even though it was front-wheel drive, this is a piece of exotica revered by those in the know. This Thema for sale in Germany was imported to the country four years prior from Switzerland.

1987 Lancia Thema 8.32

Car is in good condition with little mileage. Carpets in the front should be replaced. Injection lines slightly corroded. Just needs some TLC and movement as it sat for three years in the garage. Sensational engine is good for a lot of fun. In five years, this car will be vintage and guaranteed with high appreciation potential. One of the first of the "nicer" series, only 2300 pieces built. Poltrona Frau full leather interior with Alcantara roof. The car has no technical approval because it was never registered in Germany and was imported from Switzerland four years ago.

It's a risk buying a car of this caliber that has sat for a while and needs mechanical attention. At about $7,800 USD, you're looking at about a $10,000 car after importation and customs fees. If you can keep the repairs to around $2,000 to $3,000, I'd say it would be worth it. The exterior looks tidy and the interior leather and wood is well preserved. Sort the mechanicals and this would be a fantastic sleeper.

-Paul

Ferrari, Modern Classic

1983 Ferrari 400i

September 18, 2012 Graham 2 Comments

Ferrari has been in the business of making grand touring coupes for years, but the 400 and later 412 seem to have been relegated to the dust bin in terms of the history of the Prancing Horse. This was a car of many firsts for Ferrari, two of which were the automatic transmission and anti-lock brakes. This car also enjoyed the longest production run of any Ferrari in history, from 1976 through 1989. While not officially imported to the US, many have made their way over here throughout the years. While this one isn’t for sale in the states, it is tantalizingly close in Toronto.

1983 Ferrari 400i

Re-listed due to a rogue high bid, this 1983 Ferrari 400i is a beautifully preserved and very presentable example of Ferrari's V12 flagship GT car of the 1980's. Finished in grigio fumo over tan hides this is a superb example of one of Enzo Ferrari's most elegant and eye-catching designs. The vehicle is well maintained with good compression all around and boasts Ferrari’s classic V12 Columbo engine with its characteristically fantastic exhaust note. The car was treated to a very good respray some years ago and it still looks fresh today with only a few minor chips and dings. The interior is in excellent overall condition.

The car is complete with the original owners manuals and pouch, the complete original kidney style leather tool kit and first aid kit along with copies of the original shop and parts manuals. Car is a 1983 but is listed as a 1980 due to ebay not accepting a 5 digit VIN for vehicles made after 1981. Major service recently completed included valve adjustment, timing chain adjustment, all new belts and ignition wires, new water hoses, new fuel injectors, new fuel accumulators and fuel pump, new master cylinder, new flexible brake hoses, new front hood shocks, new water pump seal, rebuilt self leveling shocks, repacked differential and recent front end alignment.

The prior owner owned the vehicle for 26 years before I purchased the vehicle from Bobileff Motor Car in San Diego. Car was sold to me as not legal in CA due to modifications to exhaust made by previous owner. Since the pictures were taken the window tint has been removed. Reason for selling is that I have recently had the unexpected opportunity to purchase a Ferrari 365 GTC4 and cannot now accommodate both vehicles. This car is an excellent example of a rare collectable and potentially appreciating Ferrari V12.

Bidders with zero feedback will not be considered unless by prior arrangement. Car is located in Toronto, Ontario Canada and is available for inspection by appointment. Buyer is responsible for making all shipping and export arrangements and paying all costs. US buyers may contact TFXinternational.com or similar companies who specialize in trans-border shipping and brokerage of vehicles for questions re shipping and/or export arrangements.

At $22,500, this 400i seems cheap for Ferrari standards, but is actually right in line with where the market is for these large V12 coupes. Between $20,000 to $30,000 should buy you a decent runner these days with a good history, while anything above $30,000 will be the cream of the crop.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo, Modern Classic

1993 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce

September 14, 2012 Graham 2 Comments

Even though the colder months are upon us in my part of the world, the appeal of the classic Alfa Romeo Spider never does fade. This Series 4 Spider Veloce for sale in Florida is a low mileage, one owner example that looks great in this shade of green.

1993 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce

This is an absolutely beautiful, one previous owner, Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce, Folio Green. The car has never had any paint work. The top and rear window are perfect, as is the tan top boot cover. All of the accessories work, including the air conditioning. It has an upgraded Alpine CD/MP3 stereo with auxillary input and bluetooth. The original stereo is in the trunk in the Alpine box. Just under 25,000 miles. All books and manuals present, including the window sticker. Even has the original Alfa touch up paint that is still useable.

Drives absolutely perfect. No shakes, rattles or anything else out of the oridnary. Both sets of original keys present. The car has a few small paint chips which were touched up with the factory touch-up paint. The car is so original that it still has the original Pirelli P4000 tires. They will be replaced before delivery since they have some dry rot, but I left them on for now to demonstrate how unmolested the car is. Interior is as nice as the exterior. Tan leather and suede seats are near perfect and show virtually no wear. Dash is perfect. All of the vents are present and rotate freely. All of the gauges work as they should. No warning lights.

Mechanically, the car is outstanding. It starts immediately warm or cold. Valve train is quiet with no excessive ticking. Oil pressure is good. No smoking whatsoever. The car revs freely and feels good as you row through the gears. which change easily with no grinding or hang ups in any gear. The top handle trim piece that is missing in the pictures was in the ashtray and is now back on the top handle. I could go on and on, but in sum, this is a near perfect, 1previous owner, unmolested car in a rare color that is getting harder to find.

The Series 4 spiders (1991-1994) are the last and arguably the best produced. This pristine example will give the new owner much joy with its good stunning looks and fun to drive characteristics. Whether you are driving through winding roads or down to the beach motoring pleasure awaits you. If you have a feedback of less then 5 please call before submitting an offer or hitting the buy it now button.

This certainly looks like a tidy car, from the door jambs to the leather on the seats. As we've seen, decent Series 4 Spiders are fetching between $10,000 and $15,000 these days. This one is priced at the top of the market, but if it appears and drives as described, it could be worth it to the right person.

-Paul