Tag Archives: Pininfarina

1991 Alfa Romeo Spider

The modern roadster revival began in 1990 with the introduction of the Mazda Miata. Harkening back to famous British two seater convertibles such as the MG and Lotus Elan, this car blended sporty looks, rear-wheel drive and reliability the levels of which were unheard in this class. However, the Italians had been going strong all along, with the Alfa Romeo Spider carrying the roadster torch for nearly three decades. As we highlighted with the 1991 Spider we featured last month, the Series 4 Spider brought about many improvements and refinements that make this a reasonable proposition for an everyday classic.

1991 Alfa Romeo Spider

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1991 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce. This vehicle is featured in green over beige interior with a black soft top. This fourth generation Spider is powered by a 2.0 liter inline 4 cylinder engine producing 125 bhp and 122 ft lbs of torque attached to a 5 speed manual transmission.

The fourth generation Alfa Spider's primary mechanical upgrade was the Bosch monotronic fuel injection with an electric fan introduced in 1990. The handsome cosmetic changes did not appear in the United States until the 1991 model. The external changes included larger rear lights, monochromatic colored bumpers without the front and rear spoilers. This is one of the finest examples of a classic Alfa Romeo and especially a rare find with such low miles!

Verde Inglese (English Green) is possibly my favorite color for the Series 4 Spider, with Rosso Vinaccia (Wine Red) coming in a close second. These colors add an air of sophistication to these cars that is lacking on with the more common primary colors. If this example could be had in the $13,000 to $15,000 range, it would be well bought.

-Paul

1991 Alfa Romeo 164L

As Alfa Romeo moved towards the 1990s, big changes were in store for the marque. Chief among these was the switch to front wheel drive for the entire lineup, include their large executive sedan, the 164. This was the last car to be designed by Alfa Romeo before Fiat purchased the company and was the first Alfa Romeo to be designed with computer aided technology. The 164 shared it's platform with the Lancia Thema, Fiat Croma and Saab 9000. It was the last to be introduced among the four models and had a bespoke front suspension and notably better build quality than earlier Alfa Romeos. Even an electronically controlled suspension was available in the 164 Cloverleaf and 164 S models. This particular 1991 164L represents the first year the 164 was sold in the US market and has the earlier 12 valve V6 engine mated to a 5-speed manual.

1991 Alfa Romeo 164L

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1991 Alfa Romeo 164L. Two-owner California car from new with 143,672 miles. All original. New front factory leather seats that cost thousands of dollars. Rear seats are in very good condition, with the exception of the stitching coming loose at the tops (a common problem with these seats). A side marker lens is cracked. Leather wrap on steering wheel is nice, but not perfect showing some wear. Engine runs strong, clutch and brakes are good. All gears shift smoothly. Horn, lights, heater good. AC needs re-charging. Rear windows need switches replaced.

Front windows are fine. Mostly original paint – a few dings, chips and small repairable dents. One area, about ¼ inch square, at the upper right rear window surround needs repair since a small rust hole is present (see photo), there is surface rust where the paint peeled away around the top of the left front strut – otherwise no rust and an area was previously bumped out at the right rear corner (see photo). Side view mirrors and driver’s door handle need re-paint. A tie rod end may need replacing, since I hear a “clunk” when I back up and turn the wheel. The car rides and drives great. Really a nice road car for the money, with everything covered with leather inside.

The interior is in great shape – dash, gauges, door panels, carpet etc… all are very nice. Headliner is good – but needs cleaning. Driver’s side seatbelt retracting spring is not working. Horn knobs are worn and the on/off button for the radio shows wear from use. Engine is clean. Fluids are clean, with new Castrol oil and filter. Tires are very nice, almost brand new, but fronts and rears are different brands. Car is quick and a blast to drive. One set of keys comes with the car. It has the small alarm box key. Comes with the correct spare, tools, jack and an added bonus – a battery shutoff switch professionally installed. This is a lot of car for the money.

The previous owner was an Alfa enthusiast since the early 1960s, purchased the car in 1996 with 57,821 miles. He recently passed away. The correct documentation comes with the title to register the car. The car has been out of registration since 10/2011. The car is sold as is, where is. Low reserve for a very nice Alfa. With some cosmetic work, this Alfa could be spectacular. You’re starting with a beautiful interior and a mechanically sound car.

This isn't the most mint condition vehicle we have featured, but with a little bit of TLC and for the right price, you could have a daily driver and stand out from the crowd, especially when you put your foot down and hear that sonorous V6 exhaust note.

-Paul

1983 Lancia 037

The number 037 is infamous in both Lancia and World Rally Circles. Built solely for the FIA Group B World Rally Championship, this was the last rear wheel drive vehicle to win the championship. Group B regulations required 200 road going models to be built for sale. Some might notice a resemblance between this 037 and the Lancia Scorpion featured a few days ago, and that's no coincidence. The 037 shares its center section with the Scorpion/Montecarlo, while the front and rear ends are steel subframes with kevlar body panels. As for the engine, in true Lancia fashion, the road less traveled was taken. Lancia fitted a supercharger to the Fiat 131 rally car engine developed by Abarth, as they were seeking to improve throttle response. Most of us are used to seeing 037s in Martini or other racing livery, so this red example brought to the US in 1990 is quite a unique find.

1983 Lancia 037

1983 Lancia 037. This amazing original example was purchased new by Ana Traub of Germany in 1983. Purchased December 12, 1989 by Manfredo Lippmann of Guatemala, then imported into the USA on January 08, 1990. Mr. Lippmann brought the car to his Denver, Colorado home for his son, Guillermo. Introduced at the Turin Motor Show in 1982, the Lancia Rally 037 is a light and powerful touring-car, studied in collaboration with Lancia races department, Abarth and Pininfarina study center. Planned for a high level employment in the rallies, it has been realized in a series of 200 samples, in order to obtain the homologation in the group B, the maximum rally category where cars purposely elaborated raced and, in any case, derived from production-model cars.

Powered by its original Supercharged 4 cylinder 1995 cc engine with 205 horsepower. Also comes equipped with its original ZF 5-Speed manual transmission. It is still equipped with its Speedline wheels and original Pirelli tires. The body is Kevlar-reinforced with glassfibre. 0-60 MPH in less than 6 seconds! Top speed is over 140MPH. It would be extremely difficult to find a better original example!

The asking price is not for the faint of heart but I can't remember the last time I saw an 037 for sale. These are beastly cars with a very notorious reputation in motorsport, as rally driver Attilio Bettega lost his life in an 037 in the Tour de Corse on May 2, 1985. In a very eerie twist of fate, fellow rally driver Henri Toivonen died in the exact same race on May 2, 1986 in an all wheel drive Lancia Delta S4, which replaced the 037 and was an evolution of that car. The S4 had a twin charged engine (supercharged and turbocharged). It produced roughly 480 horsepower and was reported to have acceleration from 0 to 62 in under 2.3 seconds. Toivonen had complained that the car was too powerful and twitchy at the limits for this particular race but nevertheless pressed on, when suddenly he lost control of his car and went off the side of the road where no guardrail was present and plunged down a cliff. The car exploded killing Toivonen and his co-driver, Sergio Cresto, instantly. These events sealed the fate of Group B and the series would be banned by the FIA following the 1986 season.

For a taste of what it's like to ride in an 037, here is a clip of Stig Blomqvist demonstrating one on a dirt track:

-Paul

2001 Ferrari F550 Maranello

Ever since the mid 1990s, I've found vehicle design to be rather uninspiring. From ill-proportioned cars to the controversy surrounding BMW and the designs of Chris Bangle, I've felt like the days of beautiful cars have passed us by. There have been some bright spots though. The revival of the MINI. The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. And this car, the Ferrari F550 Maranello. Along with the 456, this car signaled a return to front engined V12 grand turing machines at the famed sports car manufacturer. Introduced in 1996, the F550 was positioned as Ferrari's flagship. With a 5.5 liter V12 pumping out 485 horsepower and plenty of luggage space for two, this was one of the most practical Ferraris to date. Our feature car is a 2001 model with under 20,000 miles on the clock and has the desirable 6 speed manual gearbox.

2001 Ferrari F550 Maranello

As a grand tourer, the Ferrari 550 Maranello successfully embodies Ferraris high performance ideologies while presenting a luxurious and spacious interior. The 550s naturally aspirated V12 mated to a 6 speed manual transmission produces an impressive 485 hp and 419 lb-ft of torque that allows the Maranello to speed to 60mph in 4.2 seconds while its rear trunk is still large enough to accommodate a full set of golf clubs. The roomy interior of this silver grand tourer sports grey leather seats and a red trim throughout.

F550 prices have been dropping steadily, with some early examples seeing values in the $50,000 range. This isn't much more than what a new Infiniti G37 Coupe sells for, but the eternal sticking point is the maintenance costs. This particular car is priced quite a bit higher at $83,900, but that is a mere pittance to what these cars cost new. Personally, I would have rather seen this silver color teamed with an all red interior, but there are worse color combinations. If your bank account can handle it and you are seeking a Ferrari that can be used a little more than once in a blue moon, the F550 is a fantastic proposition. I would hasten to say that in twenty to thirty years time, these coupes will have aged just as gracefully as that other legendary Ferrari coupe, the 250GT Lusso.

-Paul

1967 Ferrari 330 GTC

The Ferrari 330 range was the successor to the Ferrari 250, which was the vehicle that drove Ferrucio Lamborghini to complain about frequent clutch issues to Enzo Ferrari. If you're an enthusiast of Italian vehicles, you know how that story ended. The GTC shared it's chassis and independent rear suspension with the Ferrari 275. Over a two year model run, 600 examples of the GTC left the factory. This particular example is mostly original and looks sublime in this shade of brown, reminiscent of Steve McQueen's famous 250 GT Lusso.

1967 Ferrari 330 GTC

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This 1967 Ferrari was originally purchased by John Dale Jr. in May of 1968 from Algar enterprises in Rosemont, PA after it had been a demo over the weekend and had 500 miles on odometer. During the first year of ownership the car was registered in Pennsylvania. Thereafter it was registered it was registered in New Jersey. Original sticker price was 15,800 and Mr. Dale paid $13,500.00. The vehicle was sporadically used by Mr. Dale until his death. The car was taken out of circulation by Mr.Dale widow until 1998. When it was purchased by its current owner Dr. Cook of San Diego Ca. The car was a rare find and required 2 years of work to reach its current sate, Emphasis was placed on presentation not restoration.

The car has been exercised frequently around San Diego and driven to Los Angelos for the recent Ferrari Nationals and to Orange County for numerous club events. The vehicle is considered a time warp. The vehicle still retains its original drivetrain, its original interior and 90% original paint. All in stunning preserved condition.

Dates of Service:

May 30th 1974: Miles 19,113, Modena Racing Company 770 11th Ave NY,NY. Engine Tune: Spark Plugs, Oil Filters, Shocks, Points and Condenser, Front Brake Pads.

April 11, 1976: Miles 19,706, Wide World of Cars Route 59 Spring Valley NY. Spark Plugs, Engine Oil and Filter, Flush Engine Cooling, Secure and replace all Hoses, Adjust Clutch, Adjust Front End, Adjust front and rear brakes.

Dec 3, 1979: Miles 20,500, Wide World of Cars: Oil filter, Flush Radiator, Points Condenser, Front Suspension Joints, Headlight Bulbs, New Tires.

Oct 29, 1981: Wide World of Cars: Master Cylinder Service, Radiator Antifreeze, Oil and Filter.

June 1984: Hoses, Grease fittings, Battery terminals, Antifreeze, Cigarette lighter, 4 Wheels re-chrome.

Sept 4th 1986: Change Oil/Filter, Clean Fuse for Window

Dec 23 1986: Replace rear exhaust Hangers, clean fuse box/new Fuses

From 1989 to 1998: Various Service records, including oil changes, adjustments, Air filters, rebuilt fuel pump all in service records of Mr.John Dale. Since purchased by New owner in 1998, Symbolic Service of La Jolla Ca has rebuilt the engine, clutch, brakes. Precious Metals of San Diego has rebuilt, Carbs AC System and Suspension, Steering Box, Light paint work to nose.

Over $20,000 has been recently invested. This vehicle is one of the finest original example 330 GTC on the market the vehicle has low miles of 26,539, it is a true 2 owner vehicle, we have receipts back to 1974 documenting all the work that has ever been completed, The interior is in stunning original condition. The drivetrain has been toughly gone through by professionals, and all its components are in excellent working order. The vehicle is virtually flawless inside and out its paint is original and spectacular. This is a no nonsense Ferrari and a fantastic investment car of this marque.

As the saying goes, they are only original once. The description provided by the seller leaves little guesswork for potential buyers. These GTC models usually sell in the $275,000 to $300,000 range, and at this price, the premium reflected is accounting for the car's originality and history.

-Paul

1976 Lancia Scorpion

In the 1970s, Lancia's product lineup began to be influenced by corporate parent Fiat and the Scorpion was no exception. Developed as a complementary model to the Fiat X1/9, the Montecarlo, as it was known in Europe, bowed at the Geneva Motor Show in 1975. The name Scorpion was chosen for the US market as Chevrolet was already using the name Montecarlo stateside. Too meet federal regulations, a smaller 1.8 liter twin cam engine was employed, larger bumpers were installed and pop up headlights differed from the fixed, flush mount Euro market units. Only 1801 Scorpions were made between 1976 and 1977, and as with many Lancias of the 1970s and 1980s, few survived, succumbing to rust issues or mechanical failures too great or expensive for owners to sort out. This Scorpion for sale in California has seen only 47,000 miles and appears remarkably well preserved.

1976 Lancia Scorpion

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1976 Lancia Scorpion. VIN: 137AS 0101192 CA Plate: 1QHV502

Fuel Injected, Montecarlo transmission with overdrive. I am a Lancia nut. I have owned more than two dozen Lancia Scorpions and this is by far the best, cleanest chassis I have found yet. I then had the entire car disassembled and fortified as listed below by the best known scorpion authority and marque specialist, Mark Rawlings of Sacramento. Extremely nice car with sunfaded original silver paint with a slate alcantara suede and black interior. This car has extreemely low mileage at 47,028 and has always received all necessary attention and maintenance. There is no rust on this vehicle and I invite all inspections. Please read the list of accessories and improvements to this car.

O37 Double-Bubble Hardtop
Series II "through the glass" side mirrors
Cromadora Daytona "melted" 5-star 14" wheels
Koni red struts all around
Alcatara suede interior
Sony CD/Infinity speakers

Blueprinted and balanced high performance engine including:
Bosch fuel injection conversion
9.5 to 1 high compression pistons
High lift, high performance cams
4 into 1 header and exhaust

The transmission is the extra rare Montecarlo unit modified further with a special 5th gear overdrive. (allows 80mph @ 4,000rpm) I call it Ultradrive. Incredible opportunity to own a fresh example of a very rare car. Drive this one anywhere. Very nice. Sounds Awesome.

Ever since the seeing the movie Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo as a kid, I've been interested in the Scorpion/Montecarlo after watching Herbie chase after the Scorpion in the flick. The asking price of $12,000 is steep for this particular model, but this car is in great shape, owned by an enthusiast of the marque and represents a fairly inexpensive way into a mid engined Italian exotic with more reasonable running costs than your average Ferrari or Lamborghini.

-Paul

1980 Ferrari 308 GTSi

The Ferrari 308 and 328 could perhaps be considered the poster child for all things Italian and exotic. It's appearance in the popular Magnum P.I. television series solidified it's place in automotive folklore. The 308 GTSi was an evolution of the original 308 GTS and included Bosch K Jetronic fuel injection to help meet ever tightening emissions controls. This particular low mileage GTSi is an original owner vehicle with polished magnesium wheels instead of the more commonly seen painted versions.

1980 Ferrari 308 GTSi

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My Dad bought this car new at Hollywood Motors an old Ferrari dealer now closed. He thought he bought an 1981 in 1981 but it was actually a 1980. This car just received a new timing belt and service from the Auto Gallery Service in Canoga Park Ca. and has only just 8,XXX original miles with the original 85 MPH factory speedo. He has just passed and thus the reason for selling the car now.

The wheels are magnesium and with magnesium to stay shiny like chrome would need to be clear coated after polishing. This was never done. The leather is a little dry as can be seen in the pictures. There is a slight whistle from the exhaust which I was told is common. Otherwise the car drives great and the A/C was just serviced and blows cold. I have a file full of records

I will require a $2000 deposit within 24hours of auction close via PayPal with remainder due with Certified funds (cashiers check) 7 days from auction close to complete transaction exchange. Please ask questions before bidding. I will facilitate shipping (at buyers expense) once funds are clear but require US bidders and US delivery only. I will not sell outside of the US. This vehicle has some private interest outside the auction and if sold I reserve the right to end the auction and cancel all bids early.

The Ferrari 308 is one of those Ferraris that tend to be used by enthusiasts and not just stored away, so finding one with under 10,000 miles is not too common these days. With the all important cam belt service and a full host of service records, this car would be a good proposition for a collector or an enthusiast looking for a fun weekend drive.

-Paul

1995 Ferrari 456GT

Last month, we featured a Ferrari 412 which, from 1985 through 1989, continued the luxury 2+2 tradition for the marque. The 412 was never imported to the US, however, a few examples found their way stateside. In 1992, Ferrari brought back the idea of a front engined grand tourer in the form of the 456GT, which packed a 5.5 liter V12 engine derived from the Dino V6 which produced 436 horsepower. These coupes were offered with either a six speed manual or four speed automatic, which was an anomaly in the days when most Ferraris came with three pedals. Luckily our feature car has the manual gearbox to get the most enjoyment out of this sports coupe.

1995 Ferrari 456GT

1995 Ferrari 456 GT, s/n ZFFSP44A5S0100212, Swaters Blue with Tan Leather

When it was introduced, Ferrari’s 456 attracted much positive attention. Since the early 70’s, the company’s 4-place cars were the only front-engined V12 cars, and their appearance was rather conservative and square-rigged. The 456’s dynamic stance and classical proportions caused enthusiasts and critics to make unsolicited comparisons to the legendary front-engined 12-cylinder Ferraris of the 1960’s and 1970’s, and with a 436hp 4-valve V12 and 6-speed gearbox, the 456 provided a level of performance that remains, even today, quite impressive. Indeed, with a top speed near 190mph, the car was the fastest 4-seat production car then available.

This particular example is a freshly serviced car with the desirable 6-speed option in wonderful swatters blue with tan leather. Exquisite exterior with excellent paint and virtually no road rash. Very nice interior with zero dash leather shrinkage. Major belt service just completed by Miller Motorcars. New tires just installed. Interior detailing and stickiness removal. Radiator serviced and window lifters updated. Records to support regular maintenance. Factory 10 disc CD Changer, 3M bra, Tubi Exhaust. Complete with owner’s manual, dealer directory, and pouch, records back to 2001, and the complete tool set. Clean CARFAX. Outstanding value in front engine V12 Ferraris plus seating for four!

Subtle, darker colors such as this hue work wonders for the 456's lines. While more expensive when new than the F550 Maranello, 456 prices have dipped a bit lower than the F550. While this car is roughly the price of a new Corvette, one should always go into Ferrari ownership with their eyes wide open, as maintenance costs for the less well heeled can be disastrous. Barring that, this is a nice example with recent service ready to be enjoyed by its next owner.

-Paul

1989 Ferrari 348TB

The Ferrari 308 and 328 were icons of the 1980s, made popular by the television series Magnum P.I. and by the sheer amount produced, which was a little over 18,000 units. The 308 was even campaigned in Group 4 Rally, racking up a number of wins from 1979 through 1984. When the last 328 rolled off the assembly line in Maranello in 1989, it's replacement, the 348, had big shoes to fill. Over six years, the 348 proved to be rather underwhelming. After owning one, Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo stating "with the exception of its good looks I was utterly disappointed. This was clearly the worst product Ferrari had developed for some time."

These were fairly strong words for what has proven to be a proud company with a storied history. Now these have become rather forgotten, as enthusiasts remember the 348's successor, the F355, as one of the last "classic" Ferraris, unburned with complex gearboxes and futuristic yet sometimes fussy styling.

1989 Ferrari 348TB

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This is without a question one of the most handsome and sensible Ferraris one could ever desire or find. It is finished in a flawless fly yellow with impeccable (and rare) tan leather interior and perfect headliner. It is powered by a 3.4L V8 fuel injected DOHC 32V engine and has a manual 5 speed gear change. No accidents, it has a clean Carfax and has been exquisitely kept both mechanically and cosmetically. Tools, books and extensive records included. The colors of fly yellow with a deep tan leather interior are one of the most beautiful combinations to emerge from Ferrari. It has gone only 54,601 certified miles and a finer example of the great marquise could not be found and is for the true connoisseur.

A Ferrari for under $40,000 is very tempting, especially as modern as this one. This one comes with a service history and presents well, but it goes without saying that one will have to account for future maintenance costs, which are more frequent and costlier than your daily driver. In Giallo, this 348 looks sharp and while well used in Ferrari terms, with care, it should provide plenty of enjoyment in the future, even if deemed a lesser Ferrari by the Chairman himself.

-Paul

Theme Week – Non-Italian Cars…Styled by Italians: 1973 Peugeot 504 Cabriolet

Peugeot has a long history of relying on Italian designers for some of their most iconic and exclusive vehicles. Pininfarina is a styling house they have done business with for decades. A few examples of this collaboration was the popular 505 sedan and estate, the 406 Coupe and the 1988 European Car of the Year, the 405. One of the lesser known examples of Pininfarina's work with Peugeot is the 504 Coupe and Cabriolet. From the looks of it, this car could be a mix between a Fiat 124 Spider and Fiat Dino, both of which were styled by Pininfarina, as well. These sporting vehicles were based off of the simple, rugged 504 sedan, which was produced from 1968 and carried on with updates until 2004, when production ceased in Nigeria. This particular 504 Cabriolet for sale in The Netherlands has the 2.0 liter four cylinder engine with Kugelfischer mechanical injection.

1973 Peugeot 504 Cabriolet

Peugeot 504 Cabriolet in excellent condition. Very beautifully restored and well maintained. This Peugeot is rust free and still has the old four headlights and rear lamps. Original cloth seats in good original condition. Super convertible. Car has license plates and TUV. To register simply enter any EU country, you pay no import tax.

The 504 Cabriolet is a good way to get into a French cabriolet with bespoke styling on a budget. While the asking price of €17,950 (~ $22,000 USD) is not exactly chump change for an almost 40 year old French classic, it is a lot less than what you could expect to pay for a Citroën DS Cabriolet of the same vintage.

-Paul