The Maserati 3500GT is a demarcation line in the history of Maserati. Combining the 3.5 liter twin cam straight six engine from the 350S racing car and Superleggera bodywork by Carrozzeria Touring, this was the manufacturer’s first car made in significant numbers, selling over 2,200 between 1957 and 1964. With 230 horsepower on tap routed through a ZF four speed manual (which gave way to a five speed in 1960), top speed exceeded 130 mph. Front disc brakes were an option beginning in 1959 and direct injection made an appearance in 1961 in the 3500 GTi model.
This Maserati became a hit with enthusiasts and celebrities alike. Owners included Prince Rainier III of Monaco, Tony Curtis and Anthony Quinn. An interesting fact is that two prototypes were shown to the public in March 1957, one design by Carrozzeria Touring and the other by Carrozzeria Allemano. This particular 3500GT for sale in The Netherlands is fully restored and presents beautifully in metallic gray over parchment leather.
Chrome bumpers and trim in super condition. This Maserati 3500GT is in top restored condition and it has the 5 speed manual transmission. Very gentle brown leather interiors and spoke/wire wheels. Restoration is documented. A most exquisite 3500 GT in beautiful condition! We can request vehicles to pass TÜV and create an appraisal for vehicles older than 30 years.
At €135,000 (~$175,000), this Maserati is priced in Ferrari territory and is for the serious collector looking for the best 3500GT that money can buy. My father recounts the time he was stationed in the US Army in Southern Germany and was lucky enough to drive a 3500GT owned by a higher ranking officer. Upon taking it for a spin on the Autobahn, he was stunned at how quick it was, as few cars of the day could quite match its speed. Fifty years on, the 3500GT’s presence and performance are still impressive.
Four seater Ferraris tend to play second fiddle to the more purpose built sports cars of the marque. Intended as a replacement for the Dino 308GT4, the Mondial began life as a coupe in 1982 while the cabriolet debuted one year later. This was a significant Ferrari in many ways, most notably it was one in which the engine and gearbox were attached to a removable subframe, allowing maintenance to be performed with ease.
This 1986 Mondial 3.2 represents the halfway point in the development of the series. Updates over the original Mondial included a 3.2 liter V8 with 280 horsepower and a revised interior. With a little over 23,000 miles, this appears to be a well cared for example at an attractive price, which begs the question: with such a short description, could it be a trap? Or a way to enjoy an Italian exotic at a fair price?
Beautiful Red Ferrari with low miles. Always garaged and starts the first try. Recent service, new original tires ($2k), new top. Interior in great shape with to rips. A true head turner. Runs great.
Entrance to the Ferrari club at this price is rare; if embarked upon, it should be done eyes wide open. While the owner claims this car has been serviced recently and runs fine, nothing short of a complete history would reassure potential buyers. A $25,000 car could easily turn into a $40,000 car in a heartbeat. While the Mondial is relatively easy to maintain compared to other Ferraris, this is still a Ferrari. For those on a budget, one must be fastidious with their accounting and vehicle selection so vehicle maintenance won't be a vehicle to bankruptcy.
The Alfa Romeo GTV6 is one of those cars that is greater than the sum of its parts. Originating from the Alfa Romeo Alfetta GT which bowed in 1974, the GTV moniker debuted in 1978 on the 2.0 liter version of the car, which at the time, was the top engine choice. In late 1981, the GTV became the recipient of a SOHC 2.5 liter V6 taken from the Alfa Romeo 6, perhaps one of their most forgettable executive sedans. The V6 also received Bosch fuel injection in a move to solve the carburettor issues the Alfa Romeo 6 suffered.
The GTV6, as it was called, was hailed in the motoring press as a well balanced sports coupe, and it enjoyed racing successes in both the British Touring Car Championship and Australian Rally Championship. These coupes were marketed in the US and along with the Alfa Romeo 75 (Milano), they are revered by Alfisti as the last true Alfas before the Fiat takeover. I do come across quite a number of GTV6s for sale on a regular basis, but few as nice as this one for sale in Texas.
Alfa Romeo GTV6 in Excellent condition (I’ll rate it 9.9/10) Always garaged kept. No dash board cracks. The car has the original Campagnolo magnesium wheels, including the spare. It has a working rear window defroster, power windows, power door locks and power mirrors. AC needs a charge and I suspect that there is a minor leak can go through the summer with one charge. NO 2nd gear syncro. Tires have 85% left. This car is all original, except for 4 new koni Yellow shocks and an ANSA muffler. It has been lowered to Euro specs.
This GTV6 is in the rarest condition you’ll ever find never been painted or upholstered 100% rust free.
NOW for all the Alfistis out there – this is the last GTV6 to be imported into the USA. As you can tell the rear emblem says Alfa 6 2.5 – the story behind it is that Alfa run out of emblems so they used the ones from the sedan (Alfa 90). I would not sell if not for the fact that i have to many Alfas/Fiats/projects and I would rather keep my GTV6 racer.
Bidding is up past $7,000 with a few days left, not having met the reserve. The most mint examples of these Alfas usually sell in the $12,000 to $15,000 range. Taking into account the AC repair, if this could GTV6 could be had for around $10,000, it would be a solid buy for a significant piece of Alfa Romeo history.
There are many cars which are obscure and which are legendary. Few are both at the same time. The Lamborghini LM002, however, falls into both categories. While all wheel drive is common in most current day Lamborghinis, the LM002 was Lamborghini's first vehicle to drive all four wheels. Conceived with the intentions of sale to the US military, the Cheetah, as it was called, had a rear mounted AMC V8 engine. This configuration was ultimately dropped due to bad handling characteristics. Instead, the V12 engine from the Countach was mounted up front and the LM002 was born.
The final LM002 rests in the Lamborghini museum, and this example for sale represents the last LM002 to be sold to the public.
Without any doubt, the LM002 is one of the strangest cars ever built but also a turn in the motor car history. Back in the late 70s the idea came from US to replace the infamous JEEP by a powerful and modern fully independent suspended 4x4. Lamborghini made a study and built a serial of prototypes called “LM” to be tested by US army but Lamborghini had to face American’s way of business and patriotism … Actually Hummer got the market with a project actually mostly inspired by the LMs. As the car was already developed Lamborghini decided to produce and launched it in 1986.
The first “LM002” cars were delivered in late 1987, no need to say that it was really an “UFO” in the mid – 80s market. Actually the very first super performance 4x4 ever built. With the 5.2 liter 4 valves engine from the Countach it was a 444 HP beast of 2.8 tons, 1.9m height, 2 meter width, and 5.3m long ! 301 examples were built which is a kind of success considering the “strangeness” of the concept in the road cars market. The last cars were fitted with fuel injection a very modern one at that time, of which the Diablo will benefit. There is no valuable discussion if this a “nice” or “hugly” car … this a turn in the car history capable of 200km/h among the dunes.
We are extremely glad to offer this LM002 as this is probably the most interesting one, being the last example to be sold to a private actually the second by the end. The very last one was kept by Lamborghini and is currently exhibited in the make’s museum. This is a fuel injected version, sold new and registered in Germany in 1992 then kept by the same owner in 2003. There is a great history file including all of the service records from new, a copy from the registrations and very interestingly a letter from Lamborghini about the car’s singular history. This fabulous 29000kms LM002 has always been maintained to the highest level and can only be described as being in immaculate condition in and out, driving is superb also. No doubt this outstanding car would be a master piece in any major Lamborghini collection.
On our sister site, German Cars for Sale Blog, I've expressed my less than enthusiastic stance towards SUVs and off-road vehicles. The LM002, along with the Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen and Land Rover Defender, is one of those off-road vehicles without my respect. A Lamborghini V12, manual transmission and intimidating stance are the key ingredients to making this, quite possibly, the most over the top off-road vehicle the world has ever seen.
What better way to celebrate Christmas than with a red roadster? The Giulietta is where Alfa Romeo got its start in building smaller, more affordable vehicles. This range included sedan, coupe, estate and Spider variants featuring variations of Alfa's twin cam 1.3 liter four cylinder engine. The Spider marked what would be the beginning of long tradition of roadsters for the marque. This particular example for sale in Houston is an older restoration, but is complete and presents well.
The Alfa Romeo Guiletta and Guilia Spiders represent Alfa`s trademark shape of the 1950s and 1960s. Their understated but charming lines and nimble, responsive platform have long made them an “all-time” car among Italian automotive enthusiasts.
Finished in red paintwork over black interior upholstery with red piping, the 1962 Giulietta Spider presented here displays an aging restoration with excellent body and panel fitment throughout. The engine compartment and undercarriage are solid and remain very original. This desirable example is accompanied by the original Alfa Romeo Warranty booklet, restoration pictures, original literature, shop manuals and once removed original parts. While not a show quality contender, it is a very strong driver and benefits from a recent mechanical service. This handsome Alfa Romeo offers spirited open touring at a reasonable price! Desirable Giulietta Spider! Eligible for vintage rally & racing events! Ready for Continued Enjoyment! $34,900 negotiable.
These classic Spiders have been commanding strong prices in the market for some time. Given this is an older restoration and is showing some signs of wear (especially on the dashboard), I think it would be reasonable to negotiate down a bit on the asking price. If this Spider could be had in the high 20k range, to maybe $30,000 max, it would be a decent deal for someone seeking a practical classic. While these aren't the easiest vehicles to maintain, for me, it would be worth it just to drive one of these top down on a fall day and listen to that sonorous exhaust note.
With the new year upon us, no doubt everyone is busy making their resolutions. I, on the other hand, am busy figuring out what new cars are legal to import, now that 1987 vehicles fall outside of the 25 year importation ban imposed on enthusiasts living in the United States.
One car that has always fascinated me is the Lancia Thema 8.32. If you aren't familiar with the Thema, this large Lancia shared it’s platform architecture with the Fiat Croma, Saab 9000 and Alfa Romeo 164. The Thema was rather sedate styling wise, but in true Lancia form, their engineers went ahead and did something completely off the wall. They stuffed a 3.0 liter V8 taken from a Ferrari 308 under the hood. This V8 was pretty much unchanged, save for a cross plane crankshaft which replaced the Ferrari’s flat plane crank, a different firing order and smaller valves. This was a rather exotic engine, as some of the engine components came from not only the Ferrari factory in Maranello, but from famed motorcycle manufacturer Ducati, as well.
The resulting car put up numbers which were impressive for a sedan at the time; 212 horsepower, 0-60mph in 6.8 seconds and a top speed glancing 150 mph. The interior included added luxuries such as wood trim and leather by Poltrona Frau. And electronically deployable rear spoiler rounded off the package. In total, 3,971 examples of the Thema 8.32 were built. For the intrepid US Italian automotive enthusiast, here is an example for sale in Germany.
ABS, alloy wheels, central locking, ESP, leather seats, warranty. Car is in excellent condition, service receipts available at the official Ferrari shop.
For someone brave enough to tackle importation to the US and the servicing costs that come along with Ferrari V8 ownership, this is a Q ship right up there in rarity, if not desirability, with the Mercedes-Benz 500E and Lotus Carlton. You would certainly be the center of attention at any Fiat Lancia Unlimited meet up. With 65,000 km under its belt (~ 40,000 miles) it has been lightly used. The asking price of €13,800 (~ $18,000 USD) is at the high end of the range for these sedans and similar money can buy equally fast (and more reliable) new and used vehicles. For the Lancia or Ferrari enthusiast, however, this is a nicely preserved example of a rarely seen and forgotten Autostrade beast.
With the reintroduction of Fiat to the United States market in the form of the 500, let's take a look at the car's spiritual predecessor, the (original) Fiat 500, or Cinquecento. Designed by Dante Giacosa and introduced in July 1957, the 500 was Italy's answer to the Volkswagen Beetle. It was designed as a car for the masses and to be simple to maintain and repair. With a 479 cc air cooled two cylinder engine, it produced a paltry 13 horsepower.
By the time the L, or Lusso, version arrived, the engine was pumping out 17 horsepower. This doesn't sound like much, but keep in mind these vehicles weighed slightly over 1,000 lbs. The L included a redesigned dashboard and other interior upgrades. In 1975, the original 500 was eclipsed by the Fiat 126, but this diminutive little car was emblazoned in the hearts and minds of the Italian car buying public. It's a testament to their staying power that you still see Italians driving them around city streets and collectors the world over clamoring for well preserved examples.
This 1970 500L is for sale from a specialist in Boston and is in quite good shape and looks sharp in cream white.
This is a very clean, classic Fiat 500 L. This car was hand-picked in Parma, Italy and vetted by mechanics in both Italy and Boston. It comes with a new interior and a clear Massachusetts title. We have been importing vintage Fiat 500s for over 15 years. We take the necessary time and expense to go through each of the cars we import to not only make sure that they run properly when they are purchased but for the long term. Our cars are not the least expensive.
What most people don't realize is that these cars are 40+ old. Even though Fiat manufactured 4 million of them and built them to be driven "into the ground" just because they seem fine and look nice and shiny when you drive them away, doesn't mean that they will remain that way for long. There are several components of the engine, transmission, suspension and brake system that have to be checked and there are almost always worn or cracked parts (most commonly rubber components) that must be replaced for both the safety and long term enjoyment of the car.
Certain areas of these cars are also prone to rust. Rust that can be easily hidden by new "under carriage coating" or painted over. We make sure that all of our Fiats are safe for their new owners and if properly maintained will remain that way for the foreseeable future.
The asking price of $16,000 is a bit dear for what was originally intended as a people's car. These aren't the most ideal cars for long haul travel, so use would be rather limited to around town trips and short jaunts on the highway. The recent service and restored interior certainly makes this an attractive piece, but this car is approaching new Fiat 500 money. What price nostalgia, then?
The Lancia Gamma Coupe has more than a few things in common with the Fiat 130 Coupe we featured yesterday. First, it's no coincidence that its styling is similar to the 130 Coupe, as both cars were styled by Pininfarina. Second, these two big coupes were never sold new in the United States. Third, they are quite a rare sight on the road today, no matter what country you are in.
I'm a big fan of the Gamma, as it has a bit of a budget Ferrari 412 air about it. The Gamma draws off of some of the Lancia Beta suspension technology and employs a horizontally opposed four cylinder engine, a departure from the Lancia norm. This particular Gamma coupe has the later Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection, which is a welcome upgrade on the reliability front versus the carburettor setup. While these engines offered good torque, they were nortorious for overheating and had issues wearing out camshafts. The power steering system was driven off the cam belts and at full lock, these belts could fail - leading to a dangerous situation, to put it mildly. Along with the horrible press the smaller Lancia Beta was garnering in the press due to rust issues, these were indeed dark days for Lancia.
Barring all the issues, these are pretty coupes that have aged well. I haven't seen a decent example of a Gamma for quite a few months, but this one in Valkenswaard, The Netherlands, looks to be a well cared for example.
The seller's description is lacking, to say the least. €7,700 (~ $10,043) is strong money for any Gamma coupe. From the pictures, it does look like a clean, well cared for example. The Nardi wood rimmed steering wheel and shifter knob complement the tan interior and the metallic brown fits the car's '70s flair quite well. It would be awesome to ship this over stateside, as there are few, if any Gammas roaming US roads. If you had a good mechanic and a back channel to parts in the Old World, this would be a practical classic; one which exudes class, good taste and which would make you the hit at car shows and club events.
Large Fiat saloons and coupes, much like their French counterparts, have always been the vehicle of choice for people who march to the beat of a different drummer. The Fiat 130 sedan and coupe were never sold new in the US, so this is a car which is rather obscure outside enthusiast groups stateside. Nevertheless, this is an important car in Fiat history and a rather rare one at that.
The 130 coupe featured a 3.2 liter, 60 degree V6 engine designed by famed Ferrari engineer Aurelio Lampredi. Many of the coupes, like our feature vehicle, came equipped with a Borg-Warner 3 speed automatic transmission. Features such as four wheel disc brakes, four wheel independent suspension and an alternator set the tone for future Fiats to come. The number of roadworthy 130 Coupes has certainly dwindled over the years, while mint condition examples are a rare find indeed. This particular two owner car for sale in The Netherlands is a mint example of Fiat's attempt at a personal luxury coupe for the 1970s.
Fiat 130 Coupe, two owners with only 146,000 km (~ 90,720 mi) from new. Swiss approval only (no tax & duty). The body is very solid, no rust and the underneath is very clean. The car drives perfectly. 20 km (12 mi) from the German border.
The asking price for this 130 coupe equates to about $16,850 USD given current exchange rates. That is a princely sum for an almost 38 year old Fiat. However, with 4,294 ever built and fewer still which have survived, this is a personal luxury coupe that can match many Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Maseratis in rarity. The 130 coupe looks amazingly modern in comparison to its sedan counterpart and exudes the tailored look we've come to expect from Pininfarina.
The Fiat 1200 series was a spiritual predecessor to the popular Fiat 124, which enjoyed great success and was built under license in several countries after Fiat ceased production. Available in sedan, coupe and convertible body styles, these cars were powered by a 1.2 liter, 55 horsepower inline four cylinder engine. This example for sale, while a little rough, is fairly complete. In white, it's a nice departure from the classic red which you usually see these convertibles painted.
For sale is a 1963 Fiat 1200 Cabriolet. This car is a nearly complete running and driving project car that has had some partial restoration work done to it previously. Nearly everything functions on this car. It is believed this car spent its entire life in California. Based on the bright work and the presence of the emblem (which is in poor condition), it is highly likely that this car was a coach built Veturre Speciali.
This is a good candidate to be completely restored and is being offered at a price that will allow the buyer to do so and still maintain their investment in a vehicle that is becoming increasingly rare and quickly rising in value. Many of these cars languish in garages due to rust, lack of trim pieces, or completely destroyed mechanicals. This car does need work, but it is miles ahead of a majority of the projects available. It has been gone over and inspected and every attempt is made to list both the good and bad points about this car.
Exterior:
It has fair to good quality paint, uniform with no evidence of rust or perforation anywhere on the body exterior. The right front, the rear valence, and lower left rear of the rocker have undergone amateur dent repair. The sheet metal is not stretched or grossly misshapen. No evidence of rust in these areas. The top is of average quality, in fairly good condition and functions correctly except that it is torn behind the driver window on the side and has a small tear behind the passenger window. It will need to be replaced.
The bright work on the car is in relatively good condition and intact. The bumpers need to be replaced or re-chromed with some repair to the metal. These are readily available new. The following items do need to be re-chromed: outer door handles, rear trunk handle, rear deck strips, windshield frame and mirrors. The stainless on the grille surround should be professionally straightened. Hub caps are present and in good condition.
Mechanical:
The engine has low compression and blow-by. It idles fairly well and starts with the turn of a key. The valve train appears to be in good condition, but it smokes and lacks power. It either needs rings, pistons or both. The engine does not knock or overheat. The correct carburetor is freshly rebuilt and functions as it should. It has the correct air cleaner and accessories on the engine. The mechanical fuel pump failed and it has a new electric pump installed. It has an aftermarket electronic ignition. Exhaust is complete and intact. The plastic fan blade is missing one blade.
All of the gears in the Transmission function and engage. There is a rattle in the clutch area. There is no noise from the rear differential. The clutch operates as would be expected as well as the brakes. There is a slight squeak from the left front when applying the brakes at low speed. The car stops straight. The handbrake functions, but the actuator in the handle needs to be repaired. Tires are in good condition.
Interior:
The interior is in good condition. The seats are retrofitted from quite possibly an 1100 of the same era, but they function as expected and are of the correct color and upholstered in cloth centers with vinyl bolsters. The carpet is not original as well as the door seals. The door panels are recovered in black vinyl and lack armrests and the proper interior trim rings. Interior floor pans are solid, but do have some surface rust that should be cleaned and treated. There is no perforation and the sheet metal is good.
Electrical:
All of the electrical items function including the under hood lights and trunk light. The heater fan is slow as well as the wiper motor. The passenger door jamb switch needs to be replaced. The column switch should be rebuilt or replaced. Lenses are in very good condition and all of the lights work correctly. The fuel sender needs to be repaired or replaced, the gauge has been tested and functions. The charging system is functional.
Bringing such a vehicle back to concours condition would be a tedious undertaking, given the availability of certain parts and trim. This example would lend itself well to a nice freshening up to bring it back to a drivable condition, enabling you to show it at club and classic car events on occasion. If this Fiat could be bought for around $5,000 to $7,000, it would make a less expensive, and interesting, alternative to the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider.
