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.
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.
Voted by Motor Trend Classic as one of the top ten Ferraris of all time and Top Sports Car of the 1970s by Sports Car International, the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 is an icon. Along with these accolades, the Daytona gained a prominent role across a vast swath of popular culture, from Brock Yates' Cannonball Run to the cover of The Carpenters' album "Now and Then." A little under 1,300 Daytona hardtops were ever produced, as opposed to only 127 examples of the open top Spider. When a good one comes up for sale, collectors take notice. This example for sale in California comes from a private collection and looks to be well preserved rather than over restored.
1972 Ferrari 365 GTB Daytona. Rare classic, collector quality, excellent car inside & out. Just acquired from a private collection, this 1972 Daytona is an outstanding example and one of the finest we have had in years. This exceptional car, with a well documented history, looks great and, runs and drives like a classic Daytona. The Daytona is sought after by collector's worldwide as experts believe the Daytona will continue to increase in value. To own an example of the Daytona like this one is a rare opportunity. Vehicle options include power windows and air conditioning. Car also has coveted tool set and, a car cover.
One glaring omission with this ad is the mileage. I wouldn't suspect this car has been abused, as it looks to be in good nick. The asking price of just under $370,000 is about in line with current market values for Daytonas. In classic Rosso Corsa, this motor would look equally at home on the American interstate as it would bombing down a coastal route on the French Riviera.
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. 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...
The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione may have seemed a bit far fetched when it appeared for sale in the US in 2008. The last new Alfa Romeo to be sold stateside was the 164 sedan, which was a competitor to the mid-sized luxury sport sedans of the world. However, this wasn't Alfa Romeo's first foray into eight cylinder sports car territory. The Montreal was originally introduced as a concept vehicle at Expo '67 in Montreal, hence its name. The ironic thing is, it was never sold in the city which bore its name. A version to comply with North American emissions requirements was never developed. With its two litre V8 engine derived from the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, this was no ordinary sports coupe. From it's retracting slatted headlamp covers to the vents behind the doors, this was a wild looking machine for the era. This example is for sale in Sweden, not far from the border with Denmark.
The Alfa Romeo Montreal is a very nice GT car. This one is in very very good condition and ready to drive anywhere. There is absolutely no rust on the car and the paint is fabulous. Great power and sound from the engine. A lot of money has been spent here recently. Very original and unmolested car. Could be the best on the market today.
At almost $47,000, this represents the high end of the Montreal market. This one, however, is original and well sorted, which is important with these cars, as they can be a tad finicky, especially when you consider the complex SPICA fuel injection system. Overall though, a nice example of one of Alfa Romeo's most exotic efforts to date.
The Maserati Ghibli is one of those grand touring cars that epitomizes everything that was great about Italian design in the 1960s and 1970s. Long, flowing lines and sumptuous details are the hallmarks of this machine. This particular Ghibli is a desirable one. Not only is it the later, higher horsepower SS model, but with the 5 speed manual, black paintwork and Borrani wire wheels, it certainly looks the part.
Designed by a young Giorgetto Giugiaro while at Carrozzeria Ghia, the Maserati Ghibli has been referred by some as the most beautiful sports/GT car of all times. Even if you do not agree with that strong of a statement, there is no denying the Ghibli is certainly a very striking and handsome car whose timeless design has aged very well. Even today, when driving a Ghibli, people stop and stare at the car's beautiful lines.
Powered by a dry sump V8 engine and fed by four Weber carbs, the Ghibli delivers the performance you would expect from an Italian exotic. Its closest competitor, and the car it is most often compared to, is the Ferrari 365 GTB4 Daytona. Both are large front engine cars. Both were for 2 people and were built in the similar years (1967 - 1973). Both were priced about the same (the Ghibli was a little more expensive) and built in similar numbers (about 1150 each). Where the cars differ is in their character. The Daytona was optimized for performance while the Ghibli towards being a “gentleman’s GT cruiser”. People that own both cars generally agree that the Ghibli is the better car for regular driving and rallies. If going around the race track is your thing, go for the Daytona. Of course there is also the matter of price, as today the Ferrari Daytona is MUCH more expensive; both to purchase and maintain.
The exterior styling of the Ghibli is equally matched by a gorgeous interior. The Ghibli all leather interior is quite spacious and can easily accommodate tall drivers. One famous Ghibli owner was basketball star Wilt Chamberlain. This particular 1972 Ghibli SS is a three owner car with only 33K miles. Sold new in Los Angeles and had always been there until I purchased the car 4 years ago from the second owner. I then sold it to its third owner. The car is currently in at my house near Atlanta, Georgia area. Has all the desirable features you normally would want on a Ghibli SS; the larger 4.9 liter engine, Borrani wire wheels, power steering, 5-speed, AC and rare quad exhaust. Ghiblis look very good in black, and this car is no exception!
The interior is very nice and mostly unmolested. It still has the original front carpets with the logoed heel pads. Luckily nobody ever installed a modern radio nor were extra speakers cut into the door panels. No signs of accidents or rust. Paint is good but not show quality. Mechanically this car is sweet! Engine was recently rebuilt by Terry Girone; who use to work for the Maserati imported in the Northeast and also was the service manager of the Atlanta Ferrari/Maserati dealer. I have owned about 15 Ghiblis and I must say this is one of the best running one I've driven. Oil pressure is great. Coolant temperature stays constant, gearbox shifts well, brakes work as expected. Engine compression is between 150 and 160 psi across all cylinders, which is excellent. Gauges, switches, lights, clock in working order. AC was recently serviced. Between the engine rebuilt, the AC work and a few other items the previous owner spent over $44,000 in the last 3 years. Receipts come with the car.
Ghiblis are great rally cars as they are comfortable for long drives and quite reliable for an exotic. Included is the original jack with bag, receipts, and factory supplied owner’s manual. The owner’s manual is the rare 4.9 liter version in English and Italian. Note: State of Alabama does not issue titles for cars build prior to 1974. Car is sold with Bill of Sale and a certified letter from Licensing Director which explains the State law.
Prices for Ghiblis tend to range anywhere between $75,000 and $120,000 these days, and the Spider variants command much more than that, given their rarity in comparison to their hardtop sibling. Given this example’s provenance, I’d say $80,000 to $90,000 is probably in the ballpark of what this owner is looking for. With the work and money invested in it, it certainly would be worth it. This is truly an honest car for the discerning collector.
The job of succeeding the Lamborghini Countach was never going to be an easy one. Chrysler's takeover of Lamborghini took place in 1987, and with it, the final stages of development of the Countach replacement, the Diablo, fell under the watchful eye of Detroit. Tom Gale and the design team at Chrysler decided they didn't like Marcello Gandini's original design and smoothed out the sharp edges a bit. The era of Chrysler ownership was short lived, and by the end of the Diablo's life, Audi had taken the reigns. The last iteration of the Diablo is what we see here, a final year, 2001 Diablo with the 6.0 liter V12, revised interior fittings and all wheel drive system.
2001 Lamborghini Diablo 6.0. Very unique Lamborghini Diablo 6.0 Coupe finished in custom Verde Ithaca over black leather interior. This car has been completely redone top to bottom and is documented. Photos do not reflect the true beauty and depth of this amazing color! Factory installed options include:
6 speed Transmission
Clear Engine Bonnet
Branding Package
Black brake calipers w/Lamborghini script
Black leather w matching Verde Ithaca piping
Tinted Windows
FACTORY Wheels Available
Fresh Engine out Service
New clutch
The lime green color of this Diablo reminds me of a similar color that was offered years prior on the Miura. Values on Diablos have been strong, with earlier examples hovering around the $100,000 mark with late model examples in the mid $100,000 range. A later model, Audi influenced Diablo would certainly be a bit more easier to live with, but then again, that really isn't the point when it comes to Lamborghinis. It's about flamboyance, raw power and sheer outrageousness, which this green monster has in spades.
With the popularity of mid-engine sports cars gaining traction in the late 1960s, Fiat sought to get in on the action and devise a replacement to their rear engine 850 Spider. With styling conceived by Marcello Gandini at Bertone, the X1/9 used the all new single cam engine from the front drive Fiat 128, which was handy, as this powerplant was set up having a transaxle, which made conversion to mid-engine use a rather easy affair. At the start, the car’s body was manufactured by Bertone with final assembly carried out by Fiat, and towards the end of the car’s life, the production shifted entirely to Bertone, with the car being transitioned to the “Bertone” badged in 1983 with the exit of Fiat from the US market. The car was marketed in the US until 1987 by Malcolm Bricklin and his company, International Automobile Importers, Inc. The X1/9 soldiered on until 1989 and has garnered a legacy of a lightweight, good handling compact, if a bit susceptible to the usual rust and teething issues that plague Italian cars of the period. This example for sale in Ohio is a Fiat badged X1/9 and beat the odds as a 69,000 mile survivor.
1980 FIAT X1/9. VIN# : 128AS000133787. MILEAGE: 69,498. These X1/9 are hard to find and are listed on Yahoo's ten most desirable used vehicles that are impossible to find. You want to talk about a rare beauty...this 1980 Fiat X1/9 is it. This one has been well maintained as you can see from the pictures. It runs great and there are no issues.
Since the Fiat 500 came to the US last year, I’ve noticed a few Fiat dealers peddling vintage models of the marque, no doubt as a tactic to get people interested in the history of the brand and appreciate the qualities of current offerings. Since it is for sale at a dealer, the almost $8,000 price doesn’t surprise me. If this was from a private seller, you might be able to snag this car for about $2,000 to $3,000 less. If this example is rust free, it, along with the Lancia Scorpion/Montecarlo would be about the cheapest way into a mid-engine Italian vehicle. The color and US spec bumpers are not to my taste, but it is nice to see clean examples of this sporty runabout are still out there if you search hard enough.
The Ferrari F550 Maranello is one of my favorite exotics from the past two decades. In an era of bulbous and ill-proportioned aesthetics, the F550 showed that hope wasn't lost when it came to automotive design. The fact that it has a V12 engine and enough room for two and their luggage for a weekend getaway makes the package even sweeter. This low mileage example is a six speed manual and has lived most of its life in sunny Florida.
2000 Ferrari F550 Maranello. VIN # ZFFZR49B000119548. Silver exterior with black leather interior. Only 11,400 miles. Major service done! Leather rear shelf. Power Daytona seats. Factory CD changer in trunk. All books and keys.
At $78,500, this F550 is right in the heart of current market values, especially given the low mileage of this example. With a recent service completed, it should allow potential suitors to rest easy for at least another 10,000 miles or so and allow some time to set aside some cash for the next big service. I never grow tired of these F550s. Twenty to thirty years from now, I believe they will reach the same cult status as the legendary Daytona. They will be remembered as the last of a breed from an era when fuel prices were a fraction of what they will inevitably be and when a proper grand touring coupe meant a big engine and a proper manual gearbox.
The Lancia Beta was the first new car that Lancia developed after Fiat took control of the company in 1969. Introduced in 1972, this model would go on to set record sales for Lancia, but also garner a reputation for being a rust prone vehicle. This reputation would taint the company so badly that Lancia would pull out of its largest export market at the time, the United Kingdom, a little over ten years later. One of the last new Lancias to be sold in the US market is the car you see here, the Beta Zagato. Built on the Coupe's chassis with a targa roof, it was an interesting collaboration in that the car was designed by Pininfarina but built by Zagato. In total, a little over 9,000 of these open roofed Betas were built before Lancia ceased US sales.
1981 Lancia Beta Zagato, 3rd owner. Approximately 27K miles on rebuilt engine. New starter, clutch, exhaust. 5K miles on timing belt, shocks, motor mounts. Recently rebuilt steering rack. Seats reupholstered in cloth, Pirelli P-6000 185/65-14 tires. Many interior/exterior trim pieces replaced. Car runs well. Paint good, new top. Professionally maintained. Many spare parts. California car. Never driven in rain, always garaged. Shop manuals, original owners manual, original tool kit. All work receipts. $3500 or best offer, price negotiable.
At $3,500, this is possibly one of the cheapest points of entry into classic Italian car ownership, without having to dump a ghastly amount of money on a full restoration. Few of these Zagatos survive today and the ones that do are often rusted out and on their last legs mechanically. While not the fastest cars out there, these Betas are known for their good handling and if this car has lasted this long without suffering at the hands of the tin worm, it should be able to survive another 30 years with proper maintenance.
The Nuova 500 spawned a multitude of variants, from the racy Abarth versions to a small six seat van. One of the most interesting bodystyles was an open roof model with a canopy and without side doors. Known as the Jolly, these cars were built by Ghia and had a chopped windshield and wicker seats. Another open roofed beach cruiser, the Mare (or "sea" in Italian), was built by Carrozzeria Holiday in much more limited numbers. Only 50 were built, and they did not have the canopy roof of the Jolly and featured cloth instead of wicker seats. This example for sale in Canada is a wonderful example of an extremely rare Fiat.
Italy's location on the Mediterranean Sea meant innumerable beachfront cities and resorts. There was a brisk trade in beach buggy conversions of regular cars by the many specialist coachbuilders throughout Italy at the time. Without roof or doors the cars are basic in the extreme. This simplicity, however, remains their most endearing feature, giving these cheeky runabouts a sense of fun and mischief comparable only with the later Mini Moke. As you would expect the car is in excellent condition and finished in blue with a matching blue and white interior. These cars were only built to order by Holiday for VIPs and the hotels of Capri and the Amalfi coast. The body builder Holiday was also responsible for building the Twingo beach buggy. Much rarer than a Jolly, this is a highly desirable and rare little Fiat is perfect for trips to the beach and is sure to get you noticed. $49,000
The asking price for this Mare is about $15,000 over what similar Jollys have recently brought at auctions. Not too surprising, given this car's exclusivity and that a Ferrari dealer is offering it for sale. This car looks to be in almost better than new condition and the color combination is sure to win many admiring stares at the shore.
