Category Archives: Modern Classic

Ferrari, Modern Classic

1993 Ferrari 512TR

Even though the basic design lived on until 1996, the Ferrari Testarossa was an icon of the 1980s and remains one of the most recognizable Ferraris to date. In 1991, the original Testarossa underwent a facelift, and was reintroduced as the 512TR. The subtle styling tweaks and updated wheels lent a bit of refinement to this 12 cylinder brute, but kept the trademark side strakes. This bright yellow example for sale in Texas is an almost new example with an impossibly low 4,300 miles on the clock.

1993 Ferrari 512TR

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Incredible 1993 Ferrari 512 TR Testarossa! This amazing piece of art looks as good as the day it left the showroom floor. Barely over 4,000 miles and a near perfect interior! Ferrari black Connolly leather interior, electric windows, tinted & heated glass, Quartz clock, Bosch Motronic 2.7 Ignition/ Injection with feedback control and on board diagnostics, electric side view mirrors, electric door locks, four wheel ventilated disc brakes, 5 speed gearbox with oil pump, limited slip differential, air conditioning, car cover, stereo speakers, antenna for radio, alloy rims. 5.0 Liter 12 cylinder engine. Tubi exhaust and cats.

Includes rare 5 piece Ferrari Luggage! Recent Ferrari Major service with new seals and hoses, new michelin Tyres and Fresh Brakes. Includes original window sticker priced at $195,600 and all receipts, manuals, service records, spares and extras. Bid with full confidence, This is a SPECTACULAR part of automotive history that has been stored in an air conditioned building and detailed weekly. No expense was spared in the care and maintaining this beautiful Ferrari.

There are two things on this car I'm not a fan of. First is the single stripe down the center of the body. This Pininfarina design is one which does not lend itself well to any kind of alteration whatsoever. Second, this was an era where Ferraris had the motorized seatbelts, as airbags would appear shortly after this 512TR was built. At almost $120,000, this is very pricey for any sort of Testarossa, even considering the mileage. Most Testarossas and 512TRs these days are hovering around $60,000 to $90,000.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo, Modern Classic

1988 Alfa Romeo Milano Verde

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Lately we've featured several mint condition Alfa Romeo 164s, but here's a well kept example of the 164's predecessor, the Alfa Romeo Milano, or 75 as it was known in Europe. This is the last of the rear-wheel drive Alfa Romeo sedans and it is looking cosmetically tidy with just under 45,000 miles.

1988 Alfa Romeo Milano Verde

If any of you have ever read any of my post you know that I'm always in and out of the country, and now more out than in. So, I've finally decided that I can not let the Milano keep sitting in a garage, because this time I may be gone for a year or so. So about the Verde. It's an '88 with 43,743 original miles in great condition. This is not a show car but a great daily driver for anyone who wants to enjoy driving to work grocery shopping and what not.

List of things done to car (only 261 miles driven since all these things have been done):

timing belt, water pump, oil + filter changed Mobil 1, new spark plugs, rear break pads, tranny mounts
coolant flush, any rust on body has been taken care of. Brand new accumulator, brand new front and rear guibilos (flex donuts) on drive shaft replaced. Reupholstered head liner, minus sunroof panel. I still have dealership window sticker, and title shows 15,000 miles on car. And God knows how many other things I can't remember.

THE BAD:
Like I said not a flawless show car, various little dents on hood, small dent on left rear quarter, several nicks, the car, when I found it had a tire and some random things chucked in back seat, which obviously did some damage, front left shock is squeaking and front passenger seat has some wear seat (friggin' Recaro matirial) and the sun roof upholstery has fallen.

Asking $6,500 no resonable offer will be refused. PS: if buyer pays for shocks I'll put them in. Will deliver with in a few hundred mile radius as long as travel expenses are payed by buyer.

Cosmetically this car is great, but the two downsides are that it resides in New England (road salt) and that the owner says it had been sitting for a while. Still, there's not a lot of choice these days when it comes to Milanos in good condition and this example is as good as any that are out there for sale. With some attention paid to the front suspension and some reconditioning of the upholstery, this would be a fine driver and about as big of a conversation starter as any sedan could be.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo, Modern Classic

1991 Alfa Romeo 164

If you missed your chance at buying a brand new Alfa Romeo 164 about twenty years back, here is your second chance. We have featured a few low mileage 164 sedans here at CICFS, but none with mileage this low. This particular car for sale in Philadelphia is the base 164, with cloth interior. This is a seldom seen trim level, as the more common 164 models sold in the US market were the upgraded 164L and 164S.

1991 Alfa Romeo 164

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You are looking at a very rare super low mileage Alfa Romeo hat has been well kept and maintained; it's an all around great looking vehicle. The vehicle was barely driven and looks amazing. This is a-never-smoked-in beauty that looks and smells great. The cars exterior is white that has got a deep sparkling shine to it. The exterior is in good condition. The interior is gray cloth that looks new. The console and dash look great as well!

The engine sounds, runs and feels smooth and provides abundant power. The 5 Speed Manual transmission shifts well - smoothly and easily. We make an effort to test for any electrical problems and none were found on this vehicle. The engine compartment looks clean, and void of any leaks. Great running condition vehicle! The A/C works well and blows cold air! We had our mechanic check the car and no problems were found with it. All in all, the car really runs great!

As you can judge for yourself from the pictures - the interior is clean and looks great! The trunk has many functions, one of which is obviously the superior cargo capacity. The back seats come down in case you need to increase the payload capacity.The trunk is very clean and roomy as you can see from the pictures. The previous owner used it sparely and it looks as if it were new. This is a unique one of a kind vehicle, that is painted with a color that really makes it stand out in the crowd of other cars. It's been garage kept, and is in good condition.

Having passed through three owners, it is almost a stroke of luck that any 164 could be preserved to such a high level. The one thing that detracts from this car is the engine bay, as the cam covers are oxidized, no doubt a result of spending time in the northeast. A bit of chrome polish on the intake manifolds and a freshening to the cam covers would put the finishing touch on this car. The asking price of $20,000 is very steep, even considering the fact that this may be one of the lowest mileage 164s in existence. Realistically, this car might command $12,000 to $15,000 at the high end on a good day. Most well-kept examples with fewer than 100,000 miles can range these days from $6,000 to $10,000, give or take.

-Paul

Ferrari, Modern Classic

1990 Ferrari F40

We featured a Ferrari F40 about a month ago, so it was pleasantly surprising that yet another US spec version has recently come up for sale again. The F40 was the Bugatti Veyron of its day, pushing the performance envelope beyond boundaries no one had yet exceeded, forever cementing its place in supercar history and in the minds of enthusiasts for generations. With under 5,000 miles, this F40 for sale Missouri is pretty much as new.

1990 Ferrari F40

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1990 Ferrari F40 in Rosso Corsa over a Red interior with just 4,527 miles! Serial number 86954 was delivered new by Shelton Ferrari on January 2nd, 1991 and has received meticulous care thru the years. Fully documented service history performed only by authorized Ferrari Dealerships. All factory campaigns have been performed and over 30 pages of service receipts are present! Complete ownership history is documented as well as a copy of the original window sticker. This F40 scored a 97.5 at a National Ferrari Concours event, the copies of the judging are included. Car #86954 has been certified with the Ferrari Classiche Program and has its recognition plaque as well as the Ferrari Classiche Presentation Book! This F40 is not only in outstanding physical and mechanical condition but is one of the most documented F40's to be available for sale in recent time. Complete with a copy of the original window sticker, books, tool kit and tire inflator.

This F40 has about 2,000 miles less than the F40 that was for sale last month, and is being offered at around a $50,000 premium. I'm not sure if $25,000 per 1,000 miles is really worth it, but I suspect this F40 may sell in the low $600,000 range, which is about the market price for these performance icons.

-Paul

Fiat, Modern Classic

1986 Bertone X1/9

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Even after Fiat’s exit from the US market in 1982, two of its models soldiered on in the US market, the 124 Spider, which was dubbed the Pininfarina Spider, and mid-engine X1/9, dubbed the Bertone X1/9. Production of the car was transferred to importer Malcolm Bricklin, who had a hand in bringing Subaru to the US market and later brought us the Yugo. The X1/9 had staying power, hanging on until 1989. Even with the large, federally mandated bumpers, this example for sale in Florida looks great in basic red over black and is just in time for some summertime enjoyment.

1986 Bertone X1/9

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Very few Fiats X19 in this condition. This 1986 Fiat X19 Bertone only has 32,786 miles on it and it shows great . When you drive it you will fall in love. There is nothing mechanically wrong with it. It does not have a radio. It does have AC but it is not cold although all the components are there. Undercarriage is fine ....NO RUST. It has a ding the size of a nickel on the drivers door that is hard to show on pictures. Bid with confidence...this car is as good as they come!

It’s nice that this seller has set a no reserve auction, which will help to give us an idea of where the market is right now for X1/9s. If I had to guess, I’d assume this one would probably wind up at around $8,000 to $10,000. If it sells for less than that, the buyer got a true Italian car bargain. Few come as nice as or unmolested as this one.

-Paul

Maserati, Modern Classic

1990 Chrysler TC by Maserati

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There have been many collaborations between Italian and American automobile manufacturers over the years, but possibly none as maligned as much as the Chrysler TC by Maserati. Having met Alejandro DeTomaso while at Ford, Lee Iacocca collaborated with DeTomaso to build a sports car incorporating the best of Italian and American design and engineering. What resulted was the TC, a convertible based on the Dodge Daytona chassis available with three different engines throughout the car's three year production run. On offer was a 2.2 liter turbocharged engine with a 3 speed automatic, a 3.0 liter Mitsubishi V6 with a four speed automatic. The rarest engine and drivetrain combination of all was a 2.2 liter, turbocharged 16 valve four cylinder with a Maserati designed twin came head produced by Cosworth, mated to a Japanese IHI turbocharger and hooked up to a 5 speed manual Getrag transaxle. To add further diversity, the pistons in this engine were made by Mahle in Germany. The alloy wheels, while Italian, were sourced by Fondmetal, a Formula One supplier.

This was certainly an interesting vehicle, but sadly, few took notice. It also didn't help that the motoring press derided this car as little more than a warmed over Chrysler LeBaron. Only 500 TCs were made with the 2.2 liter engine with the Cosworth/Maserati designed head. There are clean examples of TCs to be had in the market, but it's quite uncommon to stumble across a low mileage example of one with the Getrag gearbox and Maserati/Cosworth engine. Here is one for sale with just under 50,000 miles in Michigan.

1990 Chrysler TC by Maserati

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1990 Chrysler TC Convertible by Maserati. Only 49,000 original miles. Very rare TC with only 500 ever being built with a 5 speed Getrag manual transmission and a 16 valve Cosworth "Maserati" head on a 2.2L turbocharged inline 4 cylinder engine. The TC was a vehicle built in partnership with Chrysler's Lee Iacocca and Alejandro DeTomaso of Maserati. Produced to give the availability of a luxury sport coupe with both Italian and American heritage.

This low mileage TC is presented in brilliant red with plush hand stitched Italian leather seats. Equipped with a body colored hard top and tan soft top. Power windows, locks and mirrors. Infinity sound system, power driver and passenger seats. Leather dash, armrest and door trim and speciality designed aluminum wheels. This TC is in excellent condition throughout. Leather has less than average wear and exterior is free of rust or problem areas. Issues noted: passenger side hard top window is delaminating and the engine has a bad valve cover gasket, a very common problem but is able to be fixed. Runs and drives excellent. Starts right up and transmission shifts smooth through each gear. Vehicle is being sold as-is.

To be honest, I never liked the TC. And I still don't. But the TC has its loyal following and an active owners club, which will no doubt help in sourcing bespoke parts for this car's engine. For an enthusiast looking for something out of the mainstream, it is hard to beat the uniqueness of this vehicle for the price.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo, Modern Classic

1991 Alfa Romeo Spider

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Summer is coming, so what better time than to consider a sporting little roadster? Preferably an Italian one. We love the Series 4 Alfa Romeo Spider here at CICFS, and this example for sale in Arizona has had but one careful owner and has covered a scant 52,000 miles in 21 years.

1991 Alfa Romeo Spider

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This '91 Alfa Romeo Spider is absolutely beautiful, all original. This is a one owner car, owned by a mature woman since new. The car has never been abused, never driven in winter, garage kept and always maintained. There has never been any paint or body work done on this vehicle. The interior is in perfect condition. I want to stress that everything on this car is original. Everything works including all gauges, switches, original radio, remote rear view mirrors, door locks etc. The air conditioner blows very cold and the heater works as new. All the original books and service receipts and tools, including the “Alfa” tire pressure gauge are included. The engine and transmission work as new. The alloy wheels are in new condition. ALL ORIGINAL, ABSOLUTELY PERFECT! COLLECTABLE!

I've noticed prices are creeping up a little for these cars, the last of the classic open top Alfa Romeos. While this is a base Spider, there's not much difference in value between this trim level and the uplevel Veloce. I would wager to say anywhere between $13,000 to $15,000 would be a reasonable estimate for this pristine example.

-Paul

Modern Classic, Uncategorized

2000 Qvale Mangusta

Originally intended to be the savoir for the DeTomaso nameplate, what was supposed to be the Biguà became the Qvale Mangusta. Short on capital, Alejandro de Tomaso teamed up with American Bruce Qvale, son of Kjell Qvale, who was the first distributor of Jaguars on the West Coast of the US. Powered by a Ford 4.6 liter V8 in a front mid-engine fashion, only 284 were produced between 2000 and 2002, with all but 18 of these sent to the US market. It was an interesting vehicle, with a lot of Ford bits in the inside and an interesting targa top with a pivoting rear section to transform this sports car into a full convertible. This example for sale in Las Vegas has covered a scant 16,000 miles and looks showroom new.

2000 Qvale Mangusta

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VIN NUMBER: ZF4AH01A4YM000036. New tires, just serviced. Dealer Brochures, owners manuals, magazine articles, all keys with FOBs. Noting Missing. Complete Mangusta. Introduced in the 1996 Geneva motor show, Bigua was arguably the last new De Tomaso launched before the company ceased production. However, Bigua was never produced under the name of De Tomaso. Instead, most people knew it as “Qvale Mangusta.” The Qvale Mangusta was manufactured Modena Italy, just like Ferraris, Maserati's and Lamborghini's, and penned by Marcello Gandini who also designed the Lambo Miura, Countach, Diablo, Bugatti EB110 and various Maserati's.

Chassis: Designed by former Formula 1 designer Enrique Scalabroni, who worked for Scuderia Ferrari, Williams F1 and Dallara.
Engine: SVT Cobra Engine: Double overhead cams, all aluminium V8 32 valve displaced 4.6 litres that produces 320 hp.
Transmission: Borg-Warner 5-speed manual transmission.
Suspension: Double-wishbones suspension all round with Bilstein (adjustable)
Brakes: BREMBO four piston calipers.

Tail light covers are metal mesh like the Ferrari Challenge Grills. It has a very special roto retractable roof, which could transform the car from a coupe to convertible or Targa. Tubi exhaust system designed exclusively for the Mangusta.

At $29,500, you can look at this car two ways: either it's an affordable exotic or an expensive used Mustang. Granted, an F1 engineer did the chassis, but there's a lot of Ford bits in this car. While the Mangusta was the swan song for DeTomaso and Qvale, in an interesting twist, this car's chassis lived on in the limited production MG XPower SV.

-Paul

Lancia, Modern Classic

1982 Lancia Gamma Coupe

The Lancia Gamma is virtually unknown in the United States but this car, in my opinion, has to be one of the most handsome coupes to emerge from the late 1970s and early 1980s. While the coupe and its sedan counterpart competed in the executive segment, the engine would have suggested otherwise, as the Gamma was offered with a 2.0 liter and 2.5 liter horizontally opposed four cylinder. A torquey mill this was, but it failed to offer the power and refinement buyers in this class were used to. The engine also suffered a variety of teething problems from cooling issues to camshaft wear. Even if time has left the Gamma in relative obscurity, the simple rebadging of Chryslers into Lancias as of late has made enthusiasts long for the old Lancia, when uniqueness and adventurous engineering ruled the day. This car for sale near Brescia has covered about 46,000 miles and appears to be rather well kept, but lacks much detail from the seller.

1982 Lancia Gamma Coupe

Vehicle Features: Electric windows, alloy wheels, central locking. Additional accessories: radio, air conditioning, fog lights

Given that white is such a popular color nowadays, this car wouldn't look too out of place in modern day traffic. The Gamma is a stellar example of the timeless nature of Pininfarina's designs. At about $6,500 USD, it's a lot of style for the money. Shipping to the US would of course increase the bottom line, but if the price could be negotiated down to a level where it would keep this car under the $7,000 mark, it would be a practical classic for enthusiasts looking to take the road less traveled and have an instant conversation starter in the company of other automotive enthusiasts.

-Paul

Fiat, Modern Classic

1987 Fiat 126 FSM

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The Fiat 126 was a bit of an automotive mash up. Designed as the replacement for the Nuova 500, the 126 debuted in 1972 and was based on that very car's rear engine architecture, albeit with a more up to date body. Produced in Italy until 1979, the 126 had a lot more production life left in it, as it was produced until 2000 by FSM, a joint venture between FSO and Fiat in Poland. This 1987 model for sale in Rome has been fully restored and would make an affordable and unique import subject, as it now 25 years old and legal to bring to the US.

1987 Fiat 126 FSM

1987 Fiat 126 FSM. Registered historic, completely renovated recently, complete body restoration with photo documentation, new interior, mechanical coupons with oil, filters, brakes, master cylinder, etc. For sale reluctantly due to space. The restoration was finished about a month ago. Price is not negotiable. I'm selling it for what it cost me. I welcome email and telephone contact. No time wasters. I have other photos.

At an asking price of $3,500, you could probably be just under $5,000 by the time you took care of all the importation costs. That's not an insignificant amount of money for basic transportation, but given this car's complete restoration, you would be hard pressed to find a better example of a 126, no matter the country. Imagine the looks you would elicit upon pulling up to your nearest stateside Fiat dealer...

-Paul