Tag Archives: 1977

1977 Alfa Romeo Montreal Targa

August 11, 2014 Graham

It’s rare that a concept car sees the light of day and if it does, the styling cues you’ll see on the showroom floor will differ to varying degrees than what was viewed on the auto show circuit. But, in the case of the Alfa Romeo Montreal, this halo car made it through to production with much of its cache in tact. With a V8 derived from the legendary Tipo 33 racer under the hood, this car was not only a looker, but had speed and sound to go with it. This example for sale in Germany was converted to a Targa, not an option originally available. It looks to be a fairly professional job and offers one the opportunity to take in even more of that raucous V8 soundtrack.

Year: 1977
Model: Montreal Targa
Engine: 2.6 liter V8
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 39,000 mi
Price: $45,000 Buy It Now

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1977 Alfa Romeo Montreal Targa

The Alfa Romeo Montreal was introduced as a concept car in 1967 at the Expo 67, held in Montreal, Canada. The first production car was shown at the 1970 Geneva Motorshow using a 2593 cc dry sump lubricated V8 engine with Spica fuel injection that produced around 235 bhp, coupled to a five-speed ZF manual gearbox and a limited slip differential. This engine was derived from the 2-litre V8 used in the 33 Stradale and in the Tipo 33 sports prototype racer. The chassis and running gear of the production Montreal were taken from the Giulia GTV coupé and had double wishbone suspension with coil springs and dampers at the front.

Up for sale is a very rare, well preserved Montreal, which was converted to a Targa by its last owner, who was an engineer. The work on this one of a kind Montreal has been done professionally, with reinforcements in the interior (under console and above rockers). The underbody is untouched in good original condition, (which is unusual for these mainly in Europe and Canada sold cars). Therefore the reinforcements are relatively easy removable, if you wanted to put the car back in its original condition. This car comes out of an estate. We have documentation & history from the previous owner, such as design sketches, photos and invoices. The original alloy wheels and air cleaner are not installed, but come with the car.

Interior: seats are upholstered in black leather and look almost like new. One missing switch in the dashboard, which was also covered with leather. Door panels due to work on the e-windows removed but will be installed before a new owner gets the car. Generally the interior is in very good condition.

Paint: excellent except for a few small marks and scratches. I would give it a strong 8 out of 10. Original color was metallic brown and the Alfa was sanded down to bare metal before the green respray.

Body: near perfect condition, seemingly without any former accidents and no rust repairs. A small tiny rust spot in front of the rear wheel, otherwise no rust. Correct gaps, no, or minimal dents. The Targa roof can be stowed in the trunk. The underbody is very good, original and rustfree.

Mechanical: it all seems to work fine apart from windscreen wipers. The electric windows are a bit slow. The engine runs good, transmission shifts well. The car hasn’t been driven for some time, so the brakes could be overhauled. But don´t get me wrong, generally the mechanics are in very good condition. This Alfa drives very nice.

Other: Chrome and stainless steel bumpers are good, could be partially polished. The tires have a lot of profile. 90% of the rubber seals are excellent.

Legal: who bids agrees to the following: Our regular sales and withdrawal conditions for our new items are excluded for this article, since it is a used, 37-year-old vehicle, in which defects may be present. Sold as is, no guarantee or warranty of any kind, full payment and collection within two weeks after the auction ends. Place of jurisdiction is Hamburg Germany. We reserve the right to end the auction anytime, since the vehicle might be offered in other media. Deposit US$ 600 with PayPal for foreign buyers within 48 hours, balance: bank wire or cash. To use our Los Angeles or Ft. Lauderdale based business partners might be an additional option for the transaction, but will cost a fee of USD 500,00

Despite our detailed description, it makes sense to look at the car and test drive it. Of course you can also send an inspector. We are experienced with shipping/importing cars from the US and offer free delivery to the nearest port. For more detailed information please call +49-40-6424272 or cell +49-172-411 1891. Email might not be answered on time, since I am traveling until 8/14. In case it sells to the US, we can help with information of an US buyer, who imported his Montreal from Hamburg.

This is also worth seeing:

http://www.classicdriver.com/en/article/cars/6-young-classics-worth-investing-right-now

We have good feedback as a classic car dealer and Mustang shop in Germany. See http://www.classicdriver.com/en/article/cars/carmania-hamburgs-mustang-specialist or www.carmania.de

Conclusion: the previous owner was certainly an enthusiast who has realized his dream of a Montreal on an excellent base vehicle to start with. Looking at the near perfect body and underbody, the 63,903 km (39,000 miles) might even be original. This is a true Italian sports car with a nice revving 2.5 L V8 engine, inherited from an Alfa race car. The rarest and fastest Alfa Romeo production car of the 70`s. More worth and greater investment than the Giulias and GTV´s. In March Gooding & Co sold a Montreal for USD 176K!! It gets harder to find a Monti in good condition for the price I am asking. For more detailed information please call +49-40-6424272 or cell +49-172-411 1891.

Good luck bidding

A Montreal is not the Italian classic you should be eyeing if you are a beginner to the game. The fuel injection system on these cars is notoriously complex to tune, and many bespoke parts can be hard to source these days. Around $40,000 to $60,000 is the meaty part of the value curve for these Alfas at the moment, with exceptional ones bringing a bit more, of course. With a respray and targa conversion, a lot of this car's originality is lost, which is no doubt reflected in this car's lower price. If a regular Montreal isn't unique enough, with a bit of fettling, this targa would make a nice weekend runner.

-Paul

De Tomaso

1977 De Tomaso Pantera Group C

May 28, 2014 Graham

The heady days of the Group C saw near limitless speed from major manufacturers; Porsche, BMW, Lancia, Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar all vied for the top spots in what was some of the most exciting automobile racing the world had ever known. But it soon became clear that the more money one team spent the more that they'd win, and while in the late 1970s and early 1980s there was enough attrition amongst teams that a small privateer team stood a chance of winning, by the mid 1980s you needed a well sorted, heavily funded factory car to run in Group C. That didn't stop many one-off efforts by some enterprising individuals, though the fruits of their labor seldom were particularly ripe or well formed. Today's Pantera is just such an effort; while it certainly looks the part, this attempt to take the 1970s sports car to the highest rung of motorsports was doomed for failure through lack of development and money. As a collector, that's good news - it means you can buy this fully restored, original configuration Pantera Group C for only a fraction of what race-winning cars from Porsche would bring in today's market:

Year: 1977
Model: Pantera Group C
Engine: 5.7 liter V8
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: Not Listed
Price: $195,000

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1977 De Tomaso Pantera Group C

DeTomaso Group C
DeTomaso Group 5
Factory Homologated
Chassis 0001
The last factory homologated
DeTomaso race car built
1 of 1 - 1977 Pantera chassis

The ultimate DeTomaso collectable or historic racer

Most probably the rarest and fastest Pantera-based DeTomaso racing car ever created.

Restored and ready for museum display or with further race-preparation, for vintage racing in the popular Goup V, GTP and Group C classes.

Own a significant DeTomaso racing car with fascinating history and provenance. Ready for private collection or you prepare for serious historic racing.

As raced in Group 5 trim, this car is probably the most recognized Pantera in the racing world.

For more information and photos, please refer to the book, DeTomaso Macchine da Corsa by Philippe Olczyk on pages 305, 306, 307 353 and 436. Also featured in the book, DeTomaso the Man and the Machines.

Body

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As originally raced.

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Engine

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History

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This automobile was sold in 1981 to Auto Elite in Maranello, Italy where it was re-bodied and converted to Group C specifications. The Group C was owned by Maurizio Micangeli and co-driven by Carlo Pietromarchi in various races in 1982 and 1983. The racing record is basically a string of D.N.F.s and before the car could be thoroughly developed and sorted, the owner had moved onto another marque. This Group C, thought to be the last factory homologated racecar was parked outside the workshop of Auto Elite from 1984 until 2004 when its current owners liberated her and brought the sleeping giant to California for restoration. For more information and photos, please refer to the book, DeTomaso Macchine da Corsa by Philippe Olczyk on pages305, 306, 307 353 and 436. Our research and in the opinions of DeTomaso historians, this same chassis was originally bodied as the Group 5 Pantera that was raced at LeMans. Also featured in the book, DeTomaso the Man and the Machines.

Interior

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Miscellaneous

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Specifications

This car is not over-restored and the bodywork, frame and metal work has not been altered to look better than it was built or raced. Original parts that were replaced have been retained.
All paperwork and tech inspector notes from races as a Group C are included.
Fresh paint and new windshield
Rebuilt fuel cells and ZF transmission.
All suspension rebuilt.
Not raced since restored.
Rebuilt fuel cell, OMP seats and harnesses.
Ford 351 Cleveland with rare Ford aluminum manifold and original 180 degree headers
This is not a full race engine. A full race engine can be prepared if desired at extra cost.
Full crack-testing and race preparation is necessary before this car can enter competition. This has not been done. If your intention is to race this car, additional work will be needed to prepare this car to meet current racing requirements. The style of preparation of the car currently is in accordance with the methods of race car builder Ismo Sabattini who built this car for its former owners. We did not attempt to update the car. The suspension and safety systems of this car are the same as when it was last raced in the 80's. This is NOT a resto-mod, faux vintage racer that has the latest high-tech, go-fast components hidden under a rare body. The car shows battle-scars underneath to prove its provenance.
Please do not expect to purchase this automobile and expect to take it to the next vintage race you enter. Race preparation will be necessary before the car can be safely raced. However, you can expect to be able to enter this car in nearly every Historic Race you choose to enter because this is a very rare, authentic DeTomaso that is capable when fully developed, to win races.
For the serious collector or investor, simply leave the car as is and know that you have purchased a unique Pantera with a fascinating history.
Rare 19 inch rear wheels and 16 inch fronts- all from BBS with new Hoosier tires.
Many more photos available for the serious buyer.

Contact

Telephone - 760-731-8303 - California 9-6 PST M-F

It will certainly have to be a hardcore Pantera or Group C fan to buy this car, but it is pretty lovingly restored and certainly looks quite impressive. The BBS wheels are a great and classic look on just about anything, and the seller is right - they're quite valuable especially in shocking 19" rear configuration. Otherwise, this car is more show than go right now; if you really wanted to race in the historic Group C races you'd need some safety updates. It's probably better to leave the car as is; racing a car like this would both be expensive and hard on the chassis - and, honestly, it just can't really hold a candle to the competition it would line up against. But it's a neat oddity, a reminder of the inspiration that motorsport fosters, and above all just really cool.

-Carter

Lancia

1977 Lancia Autobianchi A112 Abarth

March 19, 2014 Graham

While the Volkswagen GTi is generally credited with starting the "hot hatch" phenomena of the 1980s, the reality is that long before Volkswagen even started to move towards watercooled, front engined cars there were others that embodied the blueprint of the GTi; lightweight, hunkered down, bigger wheels and more power hatches. Of particular note was one small car produced by the Fiat group - the Autobianchi A112. Turned up a notch by the gurus at Abarth, the A112 Abarth was fitted with a higher output 1.0 inline-4, some neat looking alloys and if you bought a later example, you even got a 5-speed manual transmission. Today there's a nicer example that's lived a traveled life but is now available in the U.S. for sale:

Year: 1977
Model: A112
Engine: 1.0 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 58,566 mi
Price: $17,000

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1977 Lancia Autobianchi A112 Abarth

This is one of the 15 A112 Abarths imported to Norway. I have had this car since 1986, has done 58,566 since new (1977). it has never seen mechanic in its life
in 1991 I changed the air intake to K&N, in 1997 I had painted the car ( Original paint from Lancia / Fiat ) in UK, in 1999 just before I brought it to US I changed the clutch and exhaust ( all Abarth parts )
since I brought it to US I have done about 800 mile with it, it is regestered in NJ, USA since 2003.
Please if you have any questions you can contact me on +1 914 450 2353

EXTERA

- Original front seats
- Original Air intakes
- Original front bumper
- 4, 14" Mini lights wheels from UK about 8 years ago
- Extra side mirror
- New Strut bar from Italia

The naming on these cars is interesting; in some markets they were sold under the Autobianchi name, others utilized Fiat naming and finally some markets got Lancia names. This car looks to be reasonably presented, though there is some rusting that appears in areas and probably needs attention sooner rather than later. The seats also look quite out of place, though the ad states that the original seats are included. On our sister site German Cars For Sale Blog, we've watched quite recently as original examples of the U.S. spec GTi have pushed into the high teens - coincidentally, the asking price of this car, too. Taking into account the rarity of this car, the price could be in line with the top of the market; but I'd be worried longer term about what aspects of the rust need attention and a careful PPI would be in order before forking over $17,000 for this hot Italian hatch.

-Carter

Maserati

Mid-Engined Maseratis: 1977 Maserati Bora & Merak SS

February 6, 2014 Graham 1 Comment

Maserati is one of those companies that came back from the brink. Several times. Through multiple owners the marque somehow bumbled its way throughout the 20th century, eventually being absorbed by Fiat, where it is currently enjoying a renaissance. At the end of the 1970s, however, the situation was bleak. Maserati's owner, Citroën, went into receivership in 1975. The new controlling group, PSA Peugeot Citroën declared this applied to Maserati as well. After ownership was transferred to an Italian government and eventually, Alejandro de Tomaso, they were forced to lumber along with the same products until de Tomaso geared up production of the Quattroporte III, Kyalami (based on the De Tomaso Longchamp) and the Biturbo.

The last holdovers from the Citroën era are the two vehicles we see here, the Bora and Merak. These were limited production sports cars that, while pretty, couldn't secure the future of the company. The first car we'll take a look at is the Bora. This car's V8 engine could trace its lineage back to the 450S race car, with four cams, 16 valves and hemispherical combustion chambers. Just over 500 Boras were built, with an almost equal number distributed between the 4.7 and 4.9 liter models. This 4.9 for sale in Miami is a low mileage barn find and was sold new in Florida.

Year: 1977
Model: Bora
Engine: 4.9 liter V8
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 806 mi
Price: $169,900 Buy It Now

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1977 Maserati Bora

1977 Maserati Bora

True barn find - 806 original miles

One of only 275 Bora 4.9L produced between 1974 and 1978 for the world. This 1977 Maserati Bora, sold new to its one and only owner by the authorized Maserati dealer of South Florida "Steering Wheel, Inc." Driven just 806 documented miles then stored until now. Finished Bleu Sera with Bianca leather interior.

Chromed parts installed by selling dealership when new. Recent oil and fluids changed as well as fresh gasoline. Here is your chance to own a part of Italian sports car history. A must have by any serious Italian sports car collector. Sure to appreciate!

TRADES ACCEPTED

NON SMOKER

If you have any questions about this or any of my other cars please feel free to contact me. Thank you for your interest and I look forward to hearing from you.

305-949-4100
steven@kesslermotorcars.com

Bora values languished for a while, but in the last couple of years have shot up. These cars represented everything great about Maserati, from eye-catching good looks to a sonorous, race bred engine. It seems that collectors have finally taken notice. The seller is asking all the money for this one. Given the interesting history and very low mileage, I'm not surprised.

The next Maserati we'll take a look at is this 1977 Merak SS, which is sometimes described as the junior version of the Bora. The Merak is two cylinders down on the Bora, sharing its engine with the Citroën SM. The smaller engined allowed for limited rear seating, best for either children or small luggage. This car would compete with the Lamborghini Urraco and Ferrari 308GT4 as a sort of entry-level super car. This Merak SS is also for sale in Florida, a little further north of the Bora, situated in Orlando.

Year: 1977
Model: Merak SS
Engine: 3.0 liter V6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 14,152 mi
Price: Reserve auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1977 Maserati Merak SS

This a 1977 Maserati Merak SS, a very unique car. It has a great color combination, orange exterior with black leather interiors. The car has A/C, radio cassette, power windows (are not working), and tilt wheel. It also has a 5 speed transmission. This car has a V6 engine with 3 carburetors. The mileage is only 14,152 (exempt). It also has Campagnolo wheels and a tornado mirrors. This car runs good. It is one of those cars that everyone enjoys looking at it because of it's unique features and very rare.

This car is being sold by dealer. If you are not a dealer, you will be require as a traditional buyer to pay for Florida tax,tag and title. We are a serious dealer and want to deal with only serious buyers that have the money ready to go to purchase vehicle. We do not want to have buyers that have to get a bank approved their monies; only serious buyers please. We had listed and sold this car before (twice) and buyers did not have the money to purchase the car and bank loans were not approved. Bank loans after the car has been purchase are not an option.

Personally, I'm a fan of the pre-1976 Meraks, as they had the stylish Citroën SM dashboard. This feature would disappear after Citroën went belly-up. In 1976, they would transition to a dashboard with more square aesthetics. Given the smaller engine, it's no surprise the Merak is more affordable than the Bora. The best Meraks out there may bring in the $50,000 to $60,000 range. This example is quite presentable, if a little bit rough around the edges and has the problem with the non-funtioning windows. Expect an example like this to fetch somewhere in the $35,000 to $40,000 territory.

-Paul

Lancia

1977 Lancia Scorpion

August 18, 2013 Graham 3 Comments

Lancia’s history in the United States is sporadic at best. Few are aware of this marque’s current existence and those that do recognize that the lineup is purely a bunch of warmed over Fiats and Chryslers. These aren’t necessarily bad cars, but for such an individualistic company, these vehicles do little justice to the heritage of the marque. In the 1970s, it was a bit of a different story, as Lancia took the Beta architecture and had a go at making a mid-engined sports car out of it. And then sent it stateside. While its presence in the US was short-lived, it provides classic car buyers an interesting, rare and affordable option for those who want others to think they bought an exotic.

Year: 1977
Model: Scorpion
Engine: 1.8 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 22,799 mi
Price: Reserve auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1977 Lancia Scorpion

Good running Lancia, starts, runs, and drives like new. Car was professionally repainted several years ago NO BONDO OR RUST just wanted a color change and still looks like new. Engine compartment could use some detailing. Driven only in summer and stored inside a heated garage. Has a few small cracks on dash, and one seat seam has come apart see pictures. These cars are becoming hard to find in this condition. Top is in perfect condition, air conditioning needs re-charged. Ask questions before auction ends. I am not the original owner and do not have any service records on this vehicle normal maintenance has been done in house. Sold as is with no warranty expressed or implied. Buyer to arrange and pay shipping costs. Someone will be available to help load.

Not a lot of detail in terms of history is provided for this car, and there are no service records that come with the car. For a Lancia from this era, that’s like walking into a Casino and choosing the slot machine in the far corner that no one uses. You have no idea what you’re going to get. While they are rare, a lot of parts can be Fiat sourced and there is a strong club backing, so keeping your Scorpion alive shouldn’t be too difficult. If this is as sound as it looks, somewhere around the $5,000 to $6,000 range would be a good estimate for a vehicle that is becoming rarer than the proverbial hen’s tooth.

-Paul

Lancia

Beta Brothers: 1981 Lancia Beta Zagato and 1977 Lancia Beta HPE

August 7, 2013 Graham 3 Comments

Ah the Lancia Beta. Fodder for the petrolhead who will point out that everything which has four wheels and Italian is crankier than a two year old who missed a meal. This was the car that brought Lancia to their knees and would turn out to be a big factor in their pullout from both the US and UK markets. However, should this car be maligned as much as it is? Maybe it's about time for a second look. Let's check out two rather different Beta models, starting off with this red Zagato for sale in Massachusetts.

Year: 1981
Model: Beta Zagato
Engine: 2.0 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 84,000 mi
Price: Reserve auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1981 Lancia Beta Zagato

1981 Lancia Zagato Targa Convertible. Unsually excellent condition exterior, interior and mechanically. I purchased the car from the original owner about 5 years ago and have put on less than 2000 miles. Always garaged either by me or previous owner. Have all receipts, owners manual, repair manual, window sticker.

Exterior: Sporty, original Rosso exterior. No accidents, no dents. Rubber bumpers are clean and don't sag over front turn signals. Paint is original, shiny and presents extremely well. Hairline cracks around gas cap- but not chipped. Chrome is clean and not pitted. Glass is clean and not scratched. Targa top fits tightly and is not cracked or chipped. Vinyl convertible top is original, in excellent condition and fits tight - plastic window is cloudy and I haven't tried to polish it. All latches for both the targa top and rear convertible top work perfectly. The original Lancia sticker is on the plastic rear window. I have the original convertible top boot, too. Wheels are in great condition with virtually no curb rash and original "L" center caps are not cracked. Tires all match and have plenty of tread. Rear taillights are clear and not cracked. Rear emblems are original. No missing parts or trim. No rust other than very small, area on the rocker panel right behind the rear wheels (see photos) otherwise absolutely rust free. Overall, the exterior presents beautifully.

Interior: Black leather. Very, very clean with the only issue being the seams coming apart and some color wear on the driver's seat which is easily repaired. Other than that, the upholstery is clean and not ripped, the door panels are clean and, again, not ripped or torn. Everything works - intermittent wipers, A/C blows cold and ventilation system ie: fan, defrost, heat - works perfectly. AM/FM stereo cassette is original and works great as well as the electric antenna. All gauges work, though fuel gage bounces around when 1/2 full. Power windows work, but occasionally blow fuses (hand crank is visible in photos). Carpet is perfect original and has drivers side carpeted mat. Digital clock works. All interior lights and dash lights work. Rubber gaskets around doors are pliant and no leaks at all. Door jambs are clean and no rust. No missing parts or trim.

Mechanical: Drives great. Timing belt was replaced by previous owner. I had a center muffler custom made when I bought the car. Rear muffler is fine. New battery. Brakes, suspension, work fine. Transmission shifts cleanly (as clean as a FWD car can) and doesn't grind in any gear. Steering has great feedback and no issues there. Engine is well maintained and fuel injection system works fine. Check out the photos to see the clean engine compartment. Clear plastic fuse box cover is cracked, but still there. New radiator fan switch installed within the last two years and that works fine. Trunk is perfect with original spare wheel, jack, tool kit and spotless carpeting. I have a made to order California Car cover as well.

This Lancia Zagato is a unique and extremely fun car to drive especially with the targa roof off and the rear top down. You've got room for kids in the backseat and the trunk has decent space. There were 2400 Zagatos imported to the US between 1979 and 1982. The 81's and 82's had fuel injection and slightly increased horsepower. If you are familiar with this model and Betas in general, most survivors are in poor condition cosmetically and mechanically. I'm selling because I have several cars and my storage situation is in limbo. Please give me a call with any questions or if you would like additional photos. Josh - 617-510-0338.

Listing locally as well. Buyer arranges pickup and shipping. Payment by Cashier's Check.

On Aug-05-13 at 09:44:29 PDT, seller added the following information: Took the Lancia out for a few test drives this weekend and the engine is stumbling at low revs. Since the car had been in storage for awhile could be due to stale gas and/or the fuel injection system. Please call with any questions about the drivability. 617-510-0338.

For spending at least the last five years of its live in New England, it’s amazing the tin worm hasn’t set in more on the bodywork. This is also an original car, which makes it stand out from the crowd of refurbished Betas that still exist. It’s rare that you see a Lancia on US roads, let alone a Beta. Less than 3,000 of these Zagatos were ever brought to these shores and fewer still are on the road. This red targa offers the chance to amaze and astound at your next Italian car meet up or car show. If the mechanical issues are not too involved, $5,000 to $7,000 would be a realistic range for this example.

Next up, we have the Zagato’s long-roofed sibling, the HPE, or High Performance Estate. Few automakers have had a crack at the shooting brake model over the years, but Lancia, ever daring, decided to have a go in the 1970s. Offering a bit more practicality to the Beta formula, there were fewer than 1,000 of these two-door estates brought to the US. This HPE for sale in North Carolina is a little more rough around the edges than the Zagato above, but is complete and a prime candidate for a bit of a refresh if one desires.

Year: 1977
Model: Beta HPE
Engine: 2.0 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 33,800 mi
Price: No reserve auction, starting bid $4,500

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1977 Lancia Beta HPE

Buyer to pay all shipping costs. Can be picked up at my location.

1977 Lancia Beta HPE in very good original condition. One of only a few survivors to be found. I have owned it for over 2 years and have really enjoyed driving it. I have owned a Coupe and a Berlinas and can say the HPE is the more desirable and fun to drive. Even today it appears stylish in design. A real eye catcher. I had the timing belt and bearing replaced as well as a new fuel pump. The engine runs very strong and does not smoke or use oil. AC is cold and transmission and clutch work flawlessly. It has less than 34000 miles and retains the original paint which needs a good buffing but is presentable as is. There are several small dings and some scratches which have been painted over poorly. Also, surface rust was removed from pillar on drivers side and repainted along with left front fender. The car has never been wrecked just some small dings. I have found no rust to speak of other than some surface spots.

Interior is original leather and looks very good. Only one small wear spot on drivers seat. The car was in storage for over 16 years thus the low miles and condition. With new paint and head liner the car would show well. It does leak around the windshield if driven in rain. I purchased it to drive and have enjoyed it. Due to medical problems I can no longer drive it without pain. If you are reading this I do not need to tell you how rare the HPE is. There were only just over 400 imported to the US. Has clean North Carolina title. Email me with any questions. Car is for sale locally and I reserve the right to end auction early.

I looked for an HPE for five years before I found this one. When was the last time you saw an HPE in this quality, original condition for sale? Includes original shop manual. Buyer to pay all shipping costs. I will assist in loading. No international buyers. Will ship to US buyers only. $500.00 deposit required in 24 hours of end of sale. Balance to be paid in three days or less.

While they are rare, at $4,500, we may be close to the maximum value of an HPE in this condition. It seems this one is mechanically sound and while it wears the original paint, a respray wouldn’t hurt the appearance, along with some refreshed trim, if you could source such parts. For someone seeking Italian flair with practicality, there are few choices out there if you are stateside. With a little bit of time, effort and money, this could certainly be made into one sweet looking HPE.

-Paul

Maserati

1977 Maserati Bora

December 29, 2012 Graham

The sun was setting on the mid engined sports cars of Maserati by the late 1970s. With Alejandro de Tomaso at the helm of the company, smaller front engine, rear drive coupes would be the order of the day along with the mainstay Quattroporte executive sedan. This late model, one owner US spec Bora has the larger 4.9 liter V8 and is great example of Giorgetto Giugiaro's handiwork from the period.

1977 Maserati Bora

You are looking at one of the lowest mileage, best kept, all original, ONE OWNER Maserati Boras in existence! The original paint, mechanics, and interior are in excellent condition for their age. The car is well sorted with the hydraulic system in top condition. The A/C blows cold. Original jack, spare tire, tools, engine cover, owners manual, and original service booklet are included. These sought after exotics are rarer than hen's teeth and even rarer in one-owner immaculate original condition! This Maserati Bora is priced to sell and represents an EXCELLENT investment opportunity for the discerning collector!

Maserati's first mid-engined, road going supercar was the Bora, announced in November 1971. It was named after the wind that blows around Trieste and follows the wind theme of the legendary Ghibli and the Mistrale. Giulio Alfieri had taken Maserati's experience on the racetrack with the Tipo 63 and 65 sports racers of the early Sixties and the Cooper-Maserati Grand Prix Car. The basic design was sent to Giugiaro at Ital Design. Giugiaro produced a body that combined muscle and delicacy, with a hunched, purposeful high rear and curvy front end, suggesting the mid-engined configuration without making a fuss about it. Of the 524 Maserati Boras produced, only 235 were equipped with the 4.9L engine!

The Bora is an interesting beast with quirky styling touches, not completed in the slightest by the larger US spec bumpers. At almost $100,000, this is about on par with where Bora prices have headed lately. The later model with the larger engine certainly is a plus, along with the one owner status. As is the case with many Maseratis from the 1970s, these are excellent collectors items for someone looking to take the road less traveled when it comes to Italian exotics.

-Paul

Lancia

1977 Lancia Scorpion

November 30, 2012 Graham

Sold but for two years, the Scorpion was easily forgettable during Lancia's brief appearance in the US market. This was a neat mid-engined car with a twin cam, 1.8 liter four cylinder engine and striking good looks by Pininfarina. This example is for sale in California has had but two owners and has recently been used as a daily driver, if you could imagine that.

1977 Lancia Scorpion

This listing is for a 1977 Lancia Scorpion. I'm the second owner. I purchased from the original owner in Northern California. I owned this car for nine years and it has been my daily driver since. When I purchased this vehicle it had 95,353 miles and started back to zero. I did all the work with the exception of the sunroof. Following is the work done:

IN THE PAST MONTH: Four new Kuhmo Solus tires, 185/70-13 with wheel alignment. New custom sunroof with canvas material, the same used in Porsches and Mercedes. New distributor cap, rotor and magnetic pick-up and Bosch Platinum spark plugs.

LAST TWO YEARS: New clutch, pressure plate, throwout bearing, pilot bearing and rear main seal. Rebuilt starter, alternator and new solid state voltage regulator. Complete valve job that includes: new valve stems, new valve guides and head pressure tested. Water pump and timing belt. Radiator complete honeycomb core redone.

AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE: Replaced windshield with Pilkington glass with professional installation and rubber seal around.

IMPROVEMENTS: Replaced old point and condenser distributor with an electronic one from later Lancia model. Old plastic coolant reservoir replaced with stainless steel. Spare tire holder replaced with a made support that gives better hold and easy access for maintenance.

NOTICE: All smog equipment has been removed from vehicle and cosmetically cover all orifices. That makes the car perform exceptionally well. Top speed 110 mph and I have two speeding tickets to prove it. This car was not originally destined to run with all this smog equipment. It makes it a lame duck. The car has current California registration until November 2013.

This looks to be a very well kept Scorpion and with a lengthy history on the west coast, it stands a chance that this could be one of the more rust free vintage Lancias you could find roaming American roads these days. Scorpions are surprisingly affordable and have been likened to bargain Ferraris on more than one occasion. Anywhere between $5,000 to $10,000 will net you a good one. I'd suspect this example, due to the mileage, will wind up somewhere around the $6,000 to $7,000 mark.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo

1977 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GT

October 27, 2012 Graham 1 Comment

We've featured a few nice examples of the GTV6, Alfa Romeo's last affordable sports coupe to be sold in the US. Enthusiasts are waiting with baited breath for the mid engined 4C to arrive stateside, here is a clean example of the car that begat the GTV6, the Alfetta GT. With a twin cam four cylinder engine in 1.6 and 1.8 liter capacities, this coupe was a bit lighter on its feet and in the power department than its later brethren, but still offered an entertaining, well balanced drive. This GT for sale in California looks handsome in dark blue and had one owner between 1979 and 2010.

1977 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GT

I am selling my 1977 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GT. I will start with the history of the car that I have been able to obtain. It was purchased new at Cotton Goff Alfa Romeo in Buena Park California. The original owner then traded it in or sold it back to Cotton Goff in 1979. That is when the owner prior to me purchased it. He purchased it from Cotton Goff in 1979. I have the factory maintenance book and prior to his purchase it had been maintained at the dealer. From 1979 until 2010 when I purchased the car he was the owner. He maintained it very well during the life of the car. I have many receipts from this maintenance. Generally he tried to take it to Zimmerman Autosport in Vista CA. He took very good care of the car and kept it in a garage nearly all of the time he had it. I actually purchased it from his daughter after he passed away. I am sure had that not happened he would still be driving it today.

When I obtained the car it was still in very good shape. Needed a bit of cleaning up, but that was about it. It was running a bit rough due to a bad thermostatic actuator. I replaced that and re tuned it for the new actuator and it has been running great ever since. It smogs fine in California and I will smog it for any California purchase. The problems with the car are few, but I will list them below.

The oil pressure gauge is a bit finicky. It works most of the time, but sometimes it does not.
It has two minor rust spots. One is just above the rear bumper on the rear drivers side of the back. The other is at the bottom of the passenger fender right by the door. Pictured below.
The dash has two cracks in it.
It grinds a bit going into second which is common with these. Double clutching eliminates this problem.

Overall this car is in incredible shape for its age. It is pretty much all original. I have reupholstered the drivers seat. I also had the rear hatch and the front core support(in front of the hood) repainted due to scratches and a few dings. The paint is in great shape and the interior is as well. It drives beautifully and runs flawlessly. It leaks a tiny bit of oil, but for a 35 year old car nothing major. I have really enjoyed this car, but now it is time to pass it on to someone else. I hope this description has been helpful. Please feel free to email with any questions.

Later GTV models in good condition are bringing on average between $7,000 to $12,000 these days. The four cylinder versions tend to bring a bit less, but there are those that value the earlier GT versions for their lighter weight and greater design purity. This GT is presented well, and even considering its faults, will probably bring somewhere between $6,000 to $8,000.

-Paul

Ferrari

1977 Ferrari 308 GTB

July 6, 2012 Graham 2 Comments

Introduced at the Paris Motor Show in 1975, the Ferrari 308 GTB and targa roofed GTS was a replacement for the Dino 246. A departure from the more curvaceous Ferraris of the 1960s, the 308 was also a technical leap forward, with a four wheel double wishbone suspension, dry sump engine lubrication and, in the case of our feature car, a fiberglass body. Two years after its introduction in 1977, Ferrari eventually switched over to a steel body, after building 712 fiberglass examples. This fiberglass GTB for sale in Connecticut is noteworthy in that it is painted the same hue as the car that first debuted in Paris almost 40 years ago.

1977 Ferrari 308 GTB

1977 Ferrari 308 GTB Fiberlgass drysump Blue with a black interior. 15,000 miles. Very nice and clean example of the most desirable of the Ferrari 308 Series cars. Car has a very good service history starting from about 1986 to the present time. The motor was rebuilt in the early 2000's and a major service was just performed on the car last year. The mileage is more than the odometer indicates, probably around 30,000 miles. The car runs very well and is very fast. The car is located in northwestern Connecticut about 75 miles north of New York City in the Northwestern corner of Connecticut. If you have questions you can contact me thru ebay or call 860-350-1140. I have a web page with many additional photos of the car forzamotorsports with the usual com ending. International buyers welcome.

At the high end, one could expect to pay $30,000 to $40,000 or so for a well preserved steel bodied 308 GTB. With the rarity factor of the fiberglass body and dry sump engine, one might expect to pay an additional $10,000 to $15,000. With the low mileage and significant color of this particular car, we may be looking at a $60,000 to $70,000 GTB. Anything more would be a bit ahead of the current market.

-Paul