1988 Ferrari Testarossa

The Ferrari Testarossa is one of those cars that needs no introduction. Instantly recognizable even to those who aren’t car enthusiasts, this was a car that defined a generation in the 1980s and whose moxy still reverberates in the automotive world to this day. This example for sale in Massachusetts has but 5,600 miles on the clock, is in very original condition and comes with all records and receipts.

1988 Ferrari Testarossa

Click to view listing

What we have here is a near perfect 1988 Ferrari Testarossa with 5,600 miles on the odometer. The car is finished in a beautiful factory Bronze Metallic with a full tan leather interior. This car has to be seen to be appreciated. This 1988 Ferrari Testarossa comes with AC, PW, PB, PL, PS and has the original radio that is non-functional; I've often wondered who listens to the radio when driving a Ferrari! We have service records and history for the car and would love to discuss any aspect of this beautiful machine with anyone who has questions. This car's color combination makes this Ferrari special. I've seen more red and yellow Ferraris in my life-time than I ever needed to see but the subtlety of this metallic bronze with the tan interior is both stunning and sophisticated; a true winner.

Even by Ferrari standards, this is very low mileage for an example of one of the brashest supercars to emerge from the 1980s. The very best Testarossas of this vintage may bring anywhere between $60,000 to $70,000. The shade of bronze on this example could be a deciding factor on this car’s final value. Some may love it, others, well, it may not be loud enough. I actually like it. I think subtle colors really show off the Testarossa’s flamboyant lines quite well.

-Paul

1989 Maserati Spyder

By the late 1980s, Maserati was winding down operations in the US market. The Biturbo had done its damage to the reputation of the company and Maserati left the US market entirely in 1991. Before they left, however, they gave us this, the Spyder, which was the first Maserati in thirty years designed by Zagato. With a shortened wheelbase, this open roofed car was strictly a two seater. Like Biturbos, there are a decent amount of worn out Spyders hanging around on the used market, so finding a good one takes some perseverance. This automatic version in California is cosmetically sound, but could mechanical issues lurk underneath?

1989 Maserati Spyder

Click to view listing

Up for bid is a 1989 Maserati Spyder convertible. Everything in this car is factory and original. I am selling this on behalf of the original owner, a lady in her late 70s who bought it brand-new for over $100,000 in 1989 and now does not have the ability to handle this car. Based on the service record book, the majority of miles were put on the vehicle during the first few years of ownership. The last fifteen years haven't had a lot of miles put on it. The factory service record book, factory service manual, and leather/suede factory owner's manual are included.

This car is in extremely good condition. This car has always been in the garage. The paint and interior are all original! The paint is still that bright factory Maserati red. The interior is mostly a grainy, creamy leather, with side panels in a creamy grey suede; the dash is in a light blue suede (very striking and unusual - typical Italian style!).

I have been driving the vehicle for the last few weeks to prepare it for selling as it has been garaged for a long time without being driven. I just had brand-new tires installed (including the spare). From driving the vehicle, here is what I have noticed: It's a little cold-blooded when starting it up in the morning, but the starting has been getting better and better the more the car is driven. It may need further tune-up work. The heating and a/c work, but the blower motor is going out. The speedometer sticks occasionally, but the sticking has decreased in frequency the more the car has been driven. The odomter and tripometer are working fine. All of the windows are working fine; all of the gauges seem to be working fine. The electric trunk release button and fuel door release button seem to be working fine. The car handles great and drives nice.

All in all, this car is in great shape, especially considering the year. It is a very clean, well-maintained car. With a little TLC, you will have an exceptional car. You'll be hard-pressed to find one as clean as this.

The one thing that alarms me about this car is that it sat for quite some time without being driven. Cars like these need to stretch their legs and be given an Italian tune up, from time to time. With that said, the seller has made an effort to be as honest as possible. The most you may see one of these later model Spyders go for would be around $15,000. With a no reserve auction, we'll probably see a car like this crest just a bit over $10,000, as I suspect the automatic transmission may hold it back a bit.

-Paul

1974 Fiat 850 Carrozzeria Coriasco Truck

Here's something you don't see every day: a Fiat pickup truck. While rear engined trucks like the Volkswagen Transporter and Chevrolet Corvair Rampside are nothing new, these Fiat 850 trucks are much more rare on US shores. Built by Carrozzeria Coriasco, a coachbuilder who focused mainly on commercial applications, this 850 truck apes the VW Transporter in that it has a shallow bed and fold down side panels, uncovering storage area underneath the bed which isn't taken up by the engine. This example for sale in Arizona has had a nice cosmetic and mechanical freshening and is ready for light hauling.

1974 Fiat 850 Coriasco Truck

Click to view listing

1974 Fiat 850 Carrozzeria Coriasco Truck. Fresh 903 cc high compression engine. John Edwards special intake with new Empi carb. P.B.S Engineering header with turbo muffler. New base clear coat paint. New Brakes. Tires like new. Polished headlight rings with Carrello headlights. Front bumper triple plated. Original Carrozzeria Coriasco floor mats. Truck runs and drives excellent. This is perhaps the ONLY Carrozzeria Coriasco Truck in the U.S. Clear Arizona title. Reserve the right to end auction early.

This truck would be great for a small business owner looking to attract some attention or could be employed as the perfect chase vehicle for your cadre of Abarth classics. Something this rare is almost always impossible to put a value on, but if I had to take a stab, I'd say $15,000 to $20,000 would probably be a good estimate. This truck is just so quirky you can't help but love it. I mean, who would even think to put a spare tire right in the middle of the passenger compartment?

-Paul

1976 Fiat 131 Abarth

Declared one of the greatest handling rally cars of its time, the Fiat 131 raised the bar in the 1970s. Derived from a modest saloon car package, the 131 Abarth combined the best efforts from Fiat and Abarth into a fiberglass body employing the 2.0 liter 16 valve four cylinder engine from the Lancia Beta. Along with a fully adjustable suspension, this allowed engineers to perfect the setup for a varying degree of road surfaces. The car captured the manufacturer’s title in 1979 along with winning one of rallying’s toughest competitions, Finland’s 1000 Lakes. This 131 Abarth for sale in Spain is an example of the 400 produced for homologation purposes.

1976 Fiat 131 Abarth

Fiat 131 Abarth. Very good condition. All original except carburation (it is fitted with two twin choke 44 IDF Weber carbs). Rare original blue colour. Spanish plates.

131 Abarths do not come cheap, and this blue treat is no exception. At a little over $60,000 USD, this is about average for what these cars are commanding today. The shade of blue is especially attractive, as it sets off the fender flares and is quite a departure from the usual red in which you see these cars painted.

-Paul

1972 Lancia Fulvia 1.3S

I wasn't your ordinary teenager. When my peers were pouring over tarted up Japanese subcompacts and muscle cars, I had different ideas. I always wanted a Lancia Fulvia. The looks, the oddity of a V4 engine with a 5 speed dogleg gearbox and the rally pedigree were enough to get me hooked. I still haven't experienced the pleasure of owning a Fulvia, or any Italian car, for that matter. Being the determined person I am, however, I know I will achieve that goal someday. Unlike a few Fulvias we've featured recently, this one isn't residing in the old world. It's right here in New York.

1972 Lancia Fulvia 1.3S

Click to view listing

This is a absolutely beautiful Red 1972 Lancia Fulvia 1.3S coupe, all restored to its original condition. The 1972 Lancia Fulvia is special because in this year it made automotive history by winning the International Rally Championship. This car is a 5 speed manual transmission and its a blast to drive! This car was professionally maintained in Italy before being shipped by its only owner. The owner is a distinguished Italian gentleman that collects cars. He is a long time member of the Italian racing club Scuderia del Castello Alcamo and this car is his show baby.

That being said this car is in excellent condition. The interior is soft black leather with no rips or tears. The dash has no cracks and the wood is perfect. The body has no rust and the lines of this car are perfectly aligned (as you can see in the pictures). The chrome is in excellent condition around the windows and bumpers. The motor and clutch was restored in Italy before being shipped, since then the car is has been mechanically kept by and well known Italian mechanic and the car has been kept in a temperature controlled garage. Mechanically the car is in excellent condition and no expense has been spared! I want to make sure that you when you bid and buy this car you buy it with confidence! So in an effort to be totally transparent this car is a 9.5 out of 10. It has does have a rip on the roof lining 3 inches long, the lining is original and it was white and a little dirty. The paint has some minor chips, under a half inch and less then 5. The rocker panel chrome is a little worn (I'll post the picture). If you Google this car, 1972 Lancia Fulvia you will see what they are going for! This car reserve will be way way below what most people want for this car.

Average prices for Fulvias that reside stateside are averaging around the $15,000 to $20,000, with the very best examples reaching into the $20,000 range. Enthusiasts in the US are beginning to recognize just how significant these vehicles are and soon you'll see values of these trend closer to the legendary Alfa Romeo GTV Coupes. If this car could be had for right around the $15,000 mark, it would be a smart buy and a very savvy way to get into the hobby of classic Italian car ownership. It certainly is well presented and shows little in the way of modification.

And the exhaust note is intoxicating...

-Paul

1959 Fiat Abarth 2200

Having been a car enthusiast for many years, there are still vehicles I come across from time to time that I had no idea existed. Such is the case with this Fiat Abarth 2200. This car has hints of Ferrari and Maserati about it, and possibly a bit of GAZ 21 Volga in the rear flanks. Considering the looks, it is rather surprising to find this coupe is based on Fiat's executive car of the day, the 1800/2100 saloon. Bodied by Allemano, it features an enlarged, triple carb version of the 2100's inline six cylinder engine, which was designed by Aurelio Lampredi of Ferrari V12 fame. This particular Abarth 2200 has a unique ownership history and currently resides in The Netherlands.

1959 Fiat Abarth 2200

As the story goes, this Abarth 2200 was purchased off of the floor at the 1962 Turin Auto Salon by Briggs Cunningham for his wife who promptly rejected the gift after the car was already imported to New Jersey. The car was totally restored in black in 1988, and the only other similar coupe in existence remains in a museum in Italy after it was originally owned by Carlo Abarth’s wife. Cunningham added the spoke wheels stateside and photos are included which show it with original steel wheels and hubcaps. The car has been with the same owner for the last 20 years since the restoration, but has been somewhat neglected as it needs electrical sorting and exterior freshening. The 6-cylinder engine has three Weber carbs and produced 140hp when new. This is an impressive specimen and the rarity and connection to Cunningham are both very interesting. Show cars were often rolled off the stage and used daily back in this time period, and we’ve seen many of the Italian one-off designs grabbing big money on the auction stages lately. A great driver with the Abarth-tuned engine.

This is one very pretty coupe with an impressive history tied to two very famous motorsport icons. Considering that, along with the rare performance hardware seen under the hood, the price of $70,000 USD doesn't seem too unreasonable, especially when you take into consideration what smaller Abarth models have been selling for these days. With a bit of TLC, this could make for a very nice usable classic, one which could very well appreciate in the coming years.

-Paul

1969 Fiat 124 Sport Coupe

Along with the Alfa Romeo Spider, the Fiat 124 Spider is one of the most popular Italian classics in the US. Nearly three quarters of its nearly twenty year long production run was sent to the US market. As a result, there is a plentiful supply of these roadsters available, but relatively few of its hardtop sibling, the 124 Sport Coupe. These coupes employed the Lampredi designed twin cam four cylinder engine that was featured in the roadsters and included advanced features such as four wheel disc brakes and a 5 speed gearbox. The AC was the first series of these coupes, followed by the BC and CC series. Production for all three series spanned from 1967 to 1975. This example for sale in Indianapolis is one of the best I've seen in quite a while.

1976 Fiat 131 Abarth

Click to view listing

Now a rarity on the American Road, a rust free 124 coupe such as this one is a hard item to locate! In fact this car was imported by a Marque Enthusiast from South America a few years back. This car is a true survivor, that while presentable and quite drivable as is, could bennefit from some restoration work. The Seats appear to have been redone in the correct and hard to find material, and the car runs and drives quite well but will need some electrical sorting. Really these are very minor things that can be addressed over time as one enjoys the car and becomes familiar with it. I doubt you will find a better 124 Coupe on the market today.

While these coupes are less common than the Spider, the best Spiders out there may command anywhere from $15,000 to $20,000. For the condition and mileage, around $10,000 to $15,000 could be considered a fair value for this tidy little coupe.

-Paul

1971 Maserati Ghibli Spyder

One could consider it a miracle that Maserati is still in business to this day. A multitude of owners and mergers left the company struggling by the late 1980s. Then, Fiat came along in 1993, when the automotive giant sold 50% of its interest to Ferrari. Now partnered with Alfa Romeo, Maserati is enjoying strong sales despite a global economic downturn. One of the shining moments in Maserati history was the Ghibli, a handsome grand touring coupe introduced when the company was owned by the Orsi family and ceased production after the Citroën takeover. A Spyder version of the Ghibli was introduced in 1969, but only 125 of these gorgeous drop tops were ever produced. Subsequently, surviving examples command big prices, such as this concours example for sale in California.

1971 Maserati Ghibli Spyder 4.7

Absolutely stunning and superb example of a 4.7, 5-speed powersteering equipt Ghibli Spyder one of 125 built. AM115 1209. This car was in the Boston Museum of Art prior to receiving a complete, no expense spared restoration of more than $180,000. Numerous recent 1st place awards as the car was finished in August 2010. Everything is new or rebuilt and is likely the finest example available. Dark Blu Notte with Cashmere leather and matching wool carpeting dark blue canvas top. Completely sorted mechanically without issues or excuses. Drive and show anywhere condition. Average current prices for 4.7 "drivers" at $300k all needing complete renovation to achieve this level. This car is turn key ready to show and go. Fast, smooth and everything these car should be. Tools and jack, receipts, manuals, cover. Serious and knowledgeable interested please apply. More info available & inspections welcomed. Other Coupe and convertible Ghibli available.

At almost half a million dollars, this is certainly one of the more valuable classic Maseratis. Even Spyders in rough shape can bring upwards of $200,000, so a no expense spared restoration such as this vehicle is worth the extra coin, as parts for such a rare vehicle can be daunting and expensive to source.

-Paul

1985 Fiat Ritmo 130TC Abarth

Every since the original Volkswagen Golf GTI appeared on the scene, the automotive landscape has never been the same. The hot hatchback took over where the roadster left off in the 1970s, and cars such as the Mini Cooper S, current Volkswagen GTI and Fiat 500 Abarth offer motorists big fun in small packages. One of my favorite hot hatchbacks of the 1980s is a bit of a dark horse. The Fiat Ritmo, or Strada as it was known here in North America, didn't exactly set the sales charts on fire. That could possibly be attributed to the fact that they weren't the most attractive or well built vehicles. Another reason could be the mere fact that Fiat omitted their hot version from the lineup here, namely the 105TC, 125TC and finally, the 130TC that we see here. The 130TC was a dual carb little monster, capable of 60 mph from a standstill in about seven and a half seconds from its twin cam, 2.0 liter 128 horsepower four cylinder engine. This very original example is for sale in Potenza on the Italian Adriatic coast.

1985 Fiat Ritmo 130TC Abarth

Fiat Ritmo Abarth 130TC, 1985, 2000cc, 89,000km, red over black interior. Black and gray plate, in original condition and perfect shape. Original exhaust and wheels, new brakes, new reconditioned carburetors, new fuel pump, new belt. Ready to immediately use. Enrolled in the ASI, beautiful and fitted with certificate of historical importance.

As with most Italian cars, red suits this Ritmo Abarth. The asking price of over $11,000 USD is a hard figure to swallow when the best, most original Strada here in the US may bring $2,000 to $3,000. But, for those intrepid enthusiasts, there is a lot of interesting machinery that is now legal to import stateside, this fiery little hatchback being one of them.

-Paul

2004 Lamborghini Gallardo

In the fourteen years since the Volkswagen Group has taken over ownership of Lamborghini, we have seen this marque transform from a financially troubled low volume sports car manufacturer to a stable producer of high end, aggressive supercars that successfully combine Italian flair and German sensibility. As a follow on to the Diablo’s successor, the Murciélago, Lamborghini introduced a smaller, V10 powered sports car called the Gallardo. Less expensive than its larger V12 powered sibling, the Gallardo has been the most produced vehicle in Lamborghini history, hitting the 10,000 mark in 2010. With the Gallardo having been around now for a few years, used examples are readily available. While still expensive, you can find clean, lower mileage examples well under $100,000, which isn’t too bad for such a flamboyant vehicle with all-wheel drive capability. This example for sale in Atlanta has the standard six speed manual gearbox and has covered just over 40,000 miles, which begs the question, are these new Lamborghinis built to last?

2004 Lamborghini Gallardo

Very clean 2004 Lamborghini Gallardo. It comes with a highly desirable color combination of silver exterior with ebony interior.

There have been stories of wealthy enthusiasts using these new all-wheel drive Lamborghinis as daily drivers, such as rally driver Jon Olsson of Sweden. At a little over $80,000, we are in the same price territory as the recently revised Porsche 911. Is it worth taking a chance on such an exotic, even if it has Audi DNA built into it? If I was in a position to do so, I would pull the trigger on this car. As the French would say, vive la différence.

-Paul