Tag Archives: Modern Classic

1991 Alfa Romeo Spider

June 7, 2012 Graham 1 Comment

Since it is almost summer, I can't help but think another Alfa Romeo Spider feature this week isn't really one too many. This 1991 Spider for sale in Pennsylvania is a base model 5-speed with a low 23,000 miles under its belt spread between three owners.

1991 Alfa Romeo Spider

This auction is for my extra-clean 1991 Alfa Romeo Spider with approx. 24,000 original miles! Check out the details below of this fine car and be ready for a fun ride! First, the story behind this low mile car. This car was purchased originally by a guy in Maryland, he traded in his '87 Spider on this '91. I have the paperwork to show the original transaction that will be included in this sale, along with service records on the car. That first owner apparently sold the car to a local shop here in PA that specializes in imports/Italian cars. This car was then purchased by a friend of a friend from that shop in 1996 with a little over 22,000 miles on it.

The 2nd owner drove the car a whopping 1,201 miles in 15 years, he only drove the car to shows and around the block for fun. I know he appreciated this type of car, it is just a shame he didn't take it out and really enjoy it. I bought the car and finally registered and titled it last month. I have driven it 350-400 miles in the last 2 weeks, this is a fun car to drive! I would love to keep it, but I have a small Jeep collection that required me to rent a 2,000 sq ft garage and I'm already out of space! I really just don't have the room to park this or the time to play with it. This car needs a new owner that appreciates these cars and will take it out and enjoy it!!

This is what I have recently done to the car:

New Battery (7 year DieHard Gold)
Installed 4 brand new Michelin tires
New PA state inspection and emissions stickers
New brake pads (installed by prev owner)

The car runs and drives very nice! It starts up every time and has great passing power for a 4cyl 16 valve. The stick shift in this car is extremely nice and the car does NOT have any 2nd gear synchro issues. The shifts are nice and firm every time, downshifting into 2nd does not produce any grinding. Alfa owners will tell you that the 2nd gear synchro can be the week link in the tranny. The car will grind going into reverse unless you shift into a forward gear first. I usually shift to 4th, then R and I have no issues. I had thought this was a problem until I read about this on the AlfaBB.... apparently that's "just how they are".

The car has a few (common) needs right now:

A/C functions but does not blow cold. I have only driven the car on nice days with the top down, so I haven't checked this out yet.
There is a small dent on the leading edge of the bumper above the Alfa emblem. (see pics)
The airbag light is flashing grounding codes. This is common on these cars, the codes can be reset.
Sometimes there is an intermittent clutch throw out bearing squeak when taking off from a stop (it wont do it when you take it to the mechanic... trust me)

Please check out the pics and ask any questions! Check out how nice the interior is, the seats are just about perfect. Carpet and mats are nice too! The top boot is included in the trunk. Speaking of the top, it is in excellent condition. The window is clear, there is no holes, and it functions as it should. There is also a full size spare under the trunk carpet. Jack points on the car are all in nice shape. Tires and brakes are brand new! Any stone chips/dings on the paint were touched up by previous owner, a nice paint job could make it really perfect! I personally don't paint cars, because then I would be afraid to drive them. This car has averaged 28 mpg for me, not too shabby. This car always runs cool, on the highway and in traffic. All of the original books and papers are included in this sale. The window sticker, owner's manual, tire books, etc., see the pics. I have the full Autocheck report for this car. Title is clear, no lien, and is in my name.

Even with this car's minor faults, I can't help but think it won't last long at $9,500. This leaves room for repair costs and then some when compared to completely sorted examples that are selling in the $14,000 to $20,000 range. For a Series 4 Spider, even if it is a base model, anything under $10,000 in this kind of shape could be considered well bought.

-Paul

Maserati, Modern Classic

2003 Maserati Coupe GT

June 6, 2012 Graham 1 Comment

Depreciation can be a wonderful thing. Almost a decade on, the Maserati Coupe GT can now be had for about a third of its original list price. Designed by Giugiaro, these coupes signaled a renaissance of the Trident brand from the dark days of the late 1980s and early 1990s and brought exotic Italian machinery within the reach of consumers who would have normally found themselves behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 or Jaguar XK-R. This Coupe GT for sale in North Carolina has the less complex 6 speed manual gearbox and is lightly run in with 28,000 miles.

2003 Maserati Coupe GT

Beautiful black 2003 Maserati Coupe GT with the 400HP 4.2l engine shared with the V8 Ferraris of that year. Tan leather interior with darker tan piping (additional cost option). Pleated leather headliner, Skyhook adaptive suspension, Xenon headlamps, CD, Nav, cruise, power everything. This vehicle has every option offered except the paddle shifted auto-manual (the Cambiocorsa option), and honestly the 6-speed is the transmission you want anyway. Turning the key gives you a front row seat to an Italian symphony - the 4.2l V8 sounds like nothing else on the road. The car sounds wonderful at every day RPMs, but really opens up about 4000. My other car is a '68 Mustang, and the novelty of a V8 that keeps pulling happily past 6000 RPM just never wears off. The wheels have been refinished back to factory color - the previous owner had them painted gold. The Michelin Pilot Sport tires still have plenty of tread, and the vehicle handles like a dream.

I've had the vehicle for two years and put less than 1200 miles on it. Only one major repair - the Mass Air Flow sensor went out, and was replaced at the local Maserati dealership. The oil was changed there two (at the same time) and I had them go through the vehicle looking for anything that looked out of the ordinary. It got a clean bill of health. I don't have the receipts from the previous owner, but I have the name of the dealership it was serviced at. (A state law prevents them from releasing service records to anyone other than than the person they were performed for, but if you call up (like I did) with the VIN, they'll read off the service history to you. It was serviced regularly by the owner who put most of the 20,000 miles on the vehicle, at an authorized Maserati dealership. The previous owner had information that the clutch had been replaced within the previous 2-3K miles, and I believe it. It feels solid. It recently passed North Carolina emissions with no trouble.

In the interest of full disclosure, some small quibbles. The shift boot sometimes releases from the console at the base. There's a snap-in plastic ring that holds the leather boot in place, and pressing it back in fixes it. I've thought about shimming the snaps (which are under aggressive for the job) to fix the boot there semi-permanently, but have never done it. A couple of the A/C vent plastic trim rings have a chrome-like coating which is flaking a little after 10 years. The automatic positioning of the front seats, when they are tipped forward to allow (very compact) people to sit in the back seats, don't alway work. The motors work fine - the seats are fully adjustable with the switches on the sides. But sometimes you tip the seats forward and they automatically motor forward to allow someone in the back, and sometimes they don't. I have a feeling it is the switch in the seat itself that isn't signaling the computer properly, but since it is a rarity to have someone try to squeeze into the back seat I haven't tracked it down. There are two minor dings, one in the front bumper and one in the rear. (Very shallow depth - 1/16th of an inch, perhaps?) They are both small enough not to be noticeable unless you are looking for them, and are quite fixable. They haven't detracted from my enjoyment of the vehicle so I haven't fixed them.

This is a vehicle that turns heads wherever it goes. The black over two-tone tan interior is a rare option, and fits the vehicle wonderfully. It has been garaged it's whole life and well cared for. To be honest, I never anticipated selling this vehicle. I still don't want to. But circumstances are forcing me to do so. I would really like to see this amazing vehicle go to a good home - end up with an owner who will appreciate it's beauty and capability, and take good care of it. It may sound corny, but that's my desire. If you're local, I'd be happy to let you take the car out for a spin. If you're out of town, I'm also happy to run it to the Maserati dealership where they can perform a once-over to your satisfaction (at your expense.) I'm not interested in arranging shipping for the car, but I will certainly arrange to have the car at whatever location is convenient for pickup by a carrier service you specify and handle logistics for.

It’s tempting to think that one could have a like new Maserati for the cost of a well-equipped Toyota Camry, but as with many cars on this site, these are vehicles that require more care and attention than your average grocery getter. Still, at this price point, one could conceivably purchase this machine and for a fraction of a new Maserati, still have funds left over to maintain the car without breaking the bank. I am a big fan of these coupes. While they aren’t the most flamboyant Italian design exercise, the fact that they are some of the last Maseratis to come with a third pedal has me naturally attracted to them.

-Paul

Ferrari, Modern Classic

2005 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

June 3, 2012 Graham 1 Comment

Three pedal manual transmissions are becoming a thing of the past with Italian sports car manufacturers. While the newer automated manuals may shift faster and return greater efficiency than the traditional manual gearbox, driver involvement is diluted and more often than not these transmissions are a bit cranky at lower speeds around town. The debate on which solution is better will continue for a long time, but for me, I'll always choose three pedals over two. This Ferrari 612 Scaglietti is the last of the breed when it comes to Ferrari touring coupes with a V12 engine mounted up front backed up by a traditional 6 speed manual transmission. Though a bit more awkward proportionally than it's predecessor, the 456M, these cars do a good job of masking just how large they are.

2005 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

2005 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti six speed finished in Nero over Nero hides. This is a nice 612, books and records, new clutch at 37K miles (always at the dealer). Ferrari car cover and tools. Don’t miss out on this four seater V12 with a six speed. Only 70 six speeds made in 2005.

The miles this Ferrari has covered is no mean feat, but it is heartening to hear that the clutch has been replaced. One should comb through the rest of the records to see if any further servicing would be needed, as any fixes for this car will not be an inexpensive proposition. Originally this car carried a sticker price of about $250,000. Like most four place Ferraris, depreciation hits these grand touring machines hard. After seven years, a discount of 58% is rather attractive, but if this was priced just under $100,000, say, around $90,000 to $95,000, it would be more in line with the market for an earlier model like this with above average mileage.

-Paul

Ferrari, Modern Classic

2001 Ferrari F550 Barchetta

May 30, 2012 Graham 5 Comments

From 1996 through 2006, the Ferrari F550 and F575M were admired for bringing back front-engine, V12 cache back to the house of the Prancing Horse. Before the F550 gave way to the F575M in 2001, an open roofed version of the F550 was introduced, the F550 Barchetta. A roadster in the truest sense of the word, Ferrari offered this car with a soft top, but advised owners not to exceed 70 mph with the top on. Only 448 were produced, along with 10 prototypes. Apparently the compromise of the roof up speed limit led Ferrari to take a different route with the open roofed F575 variant, the Superamerica. This was more of a targa version, however, with an interesting glass roof that articulated 180 degrees to lie flat over the trunk lid. A few more of those were produced, this time 559 left the factory. This example for sale in New Jersey is the earlier Barchetta version and is practically new with just over 3,000 miles.

2001 Ferrari F550 Barchetta

The seller of this Barchetta offered zero information about this particular car, which is a shame, given these cars are quite rare. The open roofed F550s and F575s tend to command higher values than their hardtop variants. Prices tend to range anywhere from $130,000 to $200,000 these days, depending on mileage and service history. I've never liked these open roofed variants, as they are compromised not only in usability but in the looks department. The hardtop F550 was so aesthetically pleasing that I couldn't imagine hacking the roof off. But, to each their own. Most people that would own a Barchetta have a stable of exotic iron to choose from on a day to day basis. But even if I was that wealthy, I'd still go for the cheaper and more usable hardtop.

-Paul

Fiat, Modern Classic

1985 Fiat Ritmo 130TC Abarth

May 18, 2012 Graham

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

Lamborghini, Modern Classic

2004 Lamborghini Gallardo

May 17, 2012 Graham

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

Lancia, Modern Classic

1991 Lancia Delta Integrale 16V

May 15, 2012 Graham

One of the cars at the top of my wish list to import is the Lancia Delta Integrale. With earlier models of this rally legend legal to import, I am now awaiting the day when the later Evo models will be welcomed within US borders. While this Integrale is not an Evo nor 25 years old, it already resides in North America and is a remarkably well kept, low mileage example. Those enthusiasts living in Canada or for any US enthusiast who may be able to figure out how to federalize this car should take note.

1991 Lancia Delta Integrale 16V

I am offering one of the best 100% factory original 1991 Lancia Delta Integrale 16V with 28,413 original miles. Yes, twenty eight thousand original miles since new! This is a rare numbers matching 1991 Lancia Delta Integrale, the 6 time World Rally Champion and was stored in a private collection and still looks as new today. Lancia won more rallies with the Delta Integrale than any other car!

Here are some highlights: The actual mileage on this Integrale is 28,413 original miles or 48,000 km. No rips, tears, cuts, or any other imperfections in the factory Recaro leather seats, door panels and dashboard - brand spanking new! Non-smoker and was never smoked in by anyone else. There is an original Sony Lancia stereo.

MOTOR: 2.0 inline 4 cylinder, 16 valve, 210 horsepower.

TRANSMISSION: 5-speed transmission. The transmission shifts perfectly in every gear.

BODY: 100% rust free, all metal! This Lancia Delta Integrale has the factory original paint and was never in any accident or collision whatsoever. All original factory shell panels, no aftermarket parts whatosever. Perfect floors, rocker panels, trunk, etc. Look at the detailed photos.

EXHAUST SYSTEM: Factory exhaust system front to back.

WHEELS/TIRES: Factory original, OZ Racing wheels will be bead blasted and refinished in any color you choose.

INTERIOR: All original, factory Recaro leather interior. What can I say? Again, let the photos speak for themselves!

I am sure I forgot to mention other stuff that was done, please ask me any questions that you have.

WHY I BOUGHT IT?

To the best of my knowledge and from the Integrale I have ever seen, this is the best unmolested original 1991 Lancia Delta Integrale 16V, just the engine compartment alone speaks volumes of its condition. No black tar or black paint to cover up the flaws like all the others I have seen. It is as the day it came out of the factory.

WHY AM I SELLING IT?

I bought an Aston Martin and need to sell some of my precious toys. The asking price is very reasonable, after all, you are buying as new, lowest mileage, unmolested Integrale that should be a part of a rally collection.

TITLE/SHIPPING

This 1991 Lancia Delta Integrale comes with a clean Canadian title. I will assist the buyer in shipping and can arrange delivery to the USA/Canada or anywhere in the world at the buyer's expense. I encourage you to come and see this Integrale for yourself. I do not want to mislead anyone to its condition and my standards may be different than yours.

These early 90s, pre Evo Integrales tend average around $15,000 to $20,000 USD for examples in decent nick with under 100,000 miles. I would go out on a limb and say that given this Integrale is one of a few in North America, the asking price is worth it, given you will be avoiding shipping and customs fees. A tempting piece of (currently) forbidden fruit for US enthusiasts, but if you have a place to store this until it's legal in 2016, this would be a great investment and a fun piece of performance motoring history.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo, Modern Classic

1987 Alfa Romeo Milano Gold

May 10, 2012 Graham 3 Comments

On a visit to New York City a few months ago, I was wandering around the East Village and stumbled across a red Alfa Romeo Milano parked inauspiciously on the street. It's a testament to Alfisti in the US that you still see these distinctive sport sedans on the roads today, 17 years after Alfa Romeo abandoned this market. With a rear-mounted gearbox, inboard rear brakes and near perfect weight distribution, these kind of technical highlights are few and far between in modern day sedans. This non-sunroof Milano Gold for sale in Ohio is one of the best I've seen on the market in the last few years.

1987 Alfa Romeo Milano Gold

For sale is a beautifully maintained and conditioned Alfa Romeo Milano gold version. I am the original owner and purchased the car at Alfa of Columbus. It was serviced by the Alfa dealer while they were still being imported. Since then the car has been driven less than 2,000 miles during the last 20 years. The paint is all original with the exception of the hood which had some acid rain spots before we took delivery. The numbers match, of course, and everything is original with the exception of the tires, brakes, water pump, battery, and exhaust system. The water pump, battery, and exhaust system were replaced a month ago by an Alfa expert in the Columbus area. More than $3,500 was spent bringing these parts back to were they need to be. We have the invoice for these repairs.

We had a walnut Momo steering wheel and matching gear shift knob installed when we purchased the car and still have the original leather wheel and shift knob. We also have the complete shop manual which comes in very handy. Included is a fitted Evolution car cover which has a couple of stains on the lower edge but is in otherwise great condition.

The car runs as strong as the day it was purchased and has to be one of the best examples of this model in the United States. The only reason for selling it is we just purchased an MG TF and have no room for another car. The only problem I can find on the body is a small paint chip and a small bubble on the right rear wheel well which I tried to show in one of the photographs. If I had noticed the chip earlier and touched it up, the bubbling wouldn't have occurred.

This is the last of the Duetta based cars Alfa brought into the US and had the famous deDion rear end with Watts linkage. It allows the car to handle very predictably and runs well going down the road. The car is very well-balanced as Alfa even placed the fuel tank in the center of the chassis for even weight distribution and protection in the event of a crash. (This ain't no stinkin' Pinto!) The rear disk brakes are also mounted inboard, near the transmission and differential for weight reasons. The Italians understand weight distribution in their automobiles. We have placed a reasonable reserve on this automobile as you will not find a better example anywhere. If you are an Alfisti, you know how fun this car is to drive with the wonderful V6 sounds and solid-shifting rear-mounted 5-speed transmission.

This car leaves little to be desired. The paint is exemplary, the upholstery is unblemished and all the maintenance required has been squared away. Quite simply, this is the best Milano you can buy. While the Gold is the base trim level, it is still well equipped for its age. Most Milanos in good nick will trade hands for around $5,000 to $7,000, but I suspect this example will bring closer to $10,000.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo, Modern Classic

1982 Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint Veloce

April 30, 2012 Graham 2 Comments

One of Alfa Romeo's most successful models was one which never saw the light of day here in the US market: the Alfasud. Constructed at a new factory in the south of Italy as part of a labor agreement with the Italian government, this compact car was quite a departure for Alfa Romeo, as it featured front-wheel drive and a horizontally opposed four cylinder engine. I've never seen one on these shores, but this one for sale in Switzerland is quite appealing, given it is a two door Sprint version and has the more aesthetically pleasing earlier bumpers.

1982 Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint Veloce

Rare, very beautiful Alfasud Sprint Veloce 1.5, 120,000 km, 95 hp, first hand, runs perfect, no rust. New timing belt replaced, five original steel wheels with small hubcaps are included.

Notorious for their poor build quality and rust issues as a result of crude Russian steel used during manufacture, it amazes me that the seller is asking almost $16,000 USD. Good, clean Spiders can be had for less, and there a multitude of other modern classics out there which offer more bang for the buck. If this car was for sale at just under half of the asking price, it would start to look a bit more appealing, given its condition.

-Paul

Maserati, Modern Classic

2005 Maserati Quattroporte

April 28, 2012 Graham 1 Comment

It has been a decade since the return of Maserati to the United States; consequently values of earlier models like the Coupe, Spyder and Quattroporte, have dropped into reasonable territory. The Quattroporte is about the closest thing you can currently get to a four door Ferrari, as this executive saloon shares it's Ferrari-based 4.2 liter V8 engine. With an arresting exhaust note and classic Italian coachwork inside, this isn't your everyday luxury vehicle. Here is a Quattroporte for sale in Florida with under 20,000 miles that looks rather sharp in dark metallic blue.

2005 Maserati Quattroporte

This 2005 Maserati Quattroporte has the power reclining rear seats and comfort package, has 66% clutch life left, and is in impeccable condition with only 19k miles! As expected from a highline Maserati Quattroporte, this vehicle is in impeccable exterior, interior, and mechanical condition and is fully loaded with:

- Rear Climate Controls
- Rear Reclining and Power Seats
- Super Low Miles: 19k miles and the clutch has already been replaced once, which means that it has a lot of life left: Over 66% remaining as verified by a Maserati mechanic!
- Navigation System
- 19" Ball-Polished upgraded wheels wrapped in Continental tires
- Two-tone custom ordered blue and tan interior
- Sunroof

WARRANTY: Each vehicle we sell comes with a 7 day warranty guaranteeing against major defects. We also offer extended warranties at a very reasonable cost from Royal Warranty Administration. Rest assured, this vehicle comes with a clean Autocheck/Carfax with service history. This vehicle was acquired directly from a private seller.

Condition: We are committed to selling only the finest pre-owned vehicles, and this Maserati is no exception. With all used vehicles there are signs of wear, but this Maserati has been maintained so well that there are no defects to note save for minor wear and chips on the bumpers! If you are looking for an incredible deal on a loaded 2005 Maserati Quattroporte, you won't find a better value nor better condition than this mint condition executive sedan. This Maserati also comes with all floor mats, all weather floor mats, two remote keys, spare tire and tool kit. We have a clear title in hand for the new owner.

It is tempting to think that you could own such an exotic vehicle for the price of a new BMW 3 series, but be forewarned that these early examples with their paddle shifted gearbox have been known to be rather cranky around town when in automatic mode. Also, a clutch replacement will run around $2,000 to $3,000, depending on who performs the work. Time will tell just how well these newer Maseratis hold up as compared to the Biturbos of the 1980s, but so far, they are proving to be a marked improvement over their forebears.

-Paul