Tag Archives: Pininfarina

1967 Ferrari 330 GTC

May 30, 2014 Graham 2 Comments

When I was a young man, my father and I were at a car show with his 1927 Bentley 3/4.5 open tourer. At the show was also a late 1960s Ferrari 330 GTC. I remember the owner of the GTC was very interested in the Bentley, to the point where he offered a trade of his GTC in exchange for the Bentley. At the time, it seemed like a poor idea; the Bentley was at that point worth about triple what the GTC was, aside from being a family item which had been passed down. In hindsight, it probably would have been a very good investment if you could have predicted prices on these cars - while early Bentley prices have increased over the past few years back to the level they were at in the early 1990s, Ferrari prices have absolutely gone through the roof. The 330 GTC isn't the prettiest, fastest or most rare Ferrari - but none of that seems to matter, because it's got the right look, the right engine, and the right badge:

Year: 1967
Model: 330 GTC
Engine: 4.0 liter V12
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 30,000 mi
Price: Reserve Auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1967 Ferrari 330 GTC

Chassis Number: 9595. Engine number: 9595.

One of 604 produced between 1966 and 1968.

Euro model with just 48,411 kilometers (30,081 miles) from new.

One-owner for 30 years with all service receipts from 1985-2014.

Original “Celeste Charo Metallizzato” (Metallic Light Blue) color.

“Nero Franzi” (Black) Leather interior.

Rare working factory air conditioning.

Always pampered, this 330 GTC is accident and abuse-free. Current owner has driven it just 12,659 miles (20,373 Km) over the past 30 years (An average of 421 miles per year.) Properly maintained and serviced by the same Ferrari specialist the entire time. Receipts from 1985-2014 totaling in excess of $53,000 in service are included.

Original numbers-matching Type 209 V-12 engine develops 300 horsepower at 7,000 rpm, fed by 3 Weber 40 DFI carburetors, giving this 2,866 pound coupe a rated top speed of 152 mph with performance of 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds. Runs beautifully with no issues.

Disc brakes stop the car smooth and straight. Rides on the original Campagonolo 7L/15 alloy wheels with new, correctly sized radial tires.

The body is laser-straight with all original panels in place. No rust of anywhere. Recently repainted in correct color it is stunning from every angle. Interior is correct and largely original. Please see photos and video. All gauges register accurately. Original tool roll and custom fitted flannel car cover are included. Ready to show or go.

Inspection is invited by seriously interested parties. Please call to schedule an appointment. David: 503-309-7729. Located in Portland, Oregon USA. A realistic reserve has been placed on this car in keeping with its rarity, condition and mileage. Please bid accordingly.

If you are looking for one of the finest 330 GTC Coupes available today, this is it.

WE WILL HAPPILY SELL TO BUYERS, WORLDWIDE.

If the video link below is inactive, please go to: http://youtu.be/qVd9IEow-Xw

This model is a very pleasing color combination and condition is certainly very good. In the past four years, GTC pricing has quadrupled from around $200,000 for the best examples to just shy of $800,000 for the best examples. It really puts the 400i into perspective; a car that can be had for less than a tenth of the price of the GTC but is very similar in many aspects. While GTCs are certainly pretty to look at, I'd probably choose a 365 GTC/4 well before this model for less than a third of the price.

-Carter

Ferrari, Modern Classic, Pininfarina

1985 Ferrari 400i 5-speed

May 29, 2014 Graham 2 Comments

The promise of a cheap Ferrari is an alluring one, especially when that Ferrari derives from some pretty special sources in the Maranello world. Take a Daytona-derived V12 and a mate it to a rear drive development of the 365 chassis, couple with a 5-speed manual and get Pininfarina to style it and it sounds like a perfect recipe. The results, though, were somewhat disappointing compared to some of the previous and subsequent offerings by the same formula; the styling was conservative and didn't capture the beauty of the 365 GTC/4 in my mind. But not judged against some of the more attractive Ferraris produced, it's still a handsome V12 coupe in its own right that - above all - is one of the few ways to get into the classic Ferrari V12 in front engine/rear drive configuration for well under $100,000 today. While most of these cars were optioned with an automatic, there are manual versions floating around and today's example is so equipped:

Year: 1985
Model: 400i
Engine: 4.8 liter V12
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 51,112 mi
Price: No Reserve Auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1985 Ferrari 400i 5-speed

1985 Ferrari 400i 5 Speed (Rare) Like New!

The engine, based on the Daytona's 4,390 cc (4.39 L; 268 cu in), is a 4,823 cc (4.8 L; 294.3 cu in) V12 producing 340 HP; front mounted and driving the rear wheels. This car features the 5 Speed fully synchromesh Manual Transmission. The traditional GT car layout allowed Ferrari to fit four seats into the stylish coupé. 0-60 mph takes 7.1 seconds

This car has been Fully Serviced by noted Ferrari Specialist. It has been impeccably maintained since new. Every fluid was drained and replaced: Radiator, engine oil, transmission fluid, differential fluid. Everything works on this car as when new. It has a new stainless steel free flow exhaust. Brand new Michelin TRX tires at a cost of over $2,000. Complete inspection and any issues that were not working with the car were addressed. For example the rear self leveling system is working with a new shock placed in the rear and hydraulics fully functional. New power antenna in the rear was put in and connected to CD player. All work done at a cost of over $3,000.

Scuro Blue paint Tan Leather interior.

One of 442 produced.

52,112 miles.

Have all Books, Jack, and Tools.

See photos for VIN.

You will not find a nicer driving and looking Ferrari 400i.

Please contact me if you have any questions.
Happy Bidding!

I really like the look of this car - the color combination is just right, the miles aren't outrageous, service and tires are up to date, and the condition looks to be great. While this wouldn't be my first choice if I had an unlimited budget, I'd seriously consider this car in comparison to some other highly priced coupes - for example, you can get one of these cars for about the same money or less than a well-sorted BMW 3.0CS. While that may sound crazy, viewed in that light the Ferrari is a much more special car that I think will continue to appreciate as more people recognize that standing on its own, this too is a very special part of Ferrari's history.

-Carter

Alfa Romeo

1995 Alfa Romeo 164LS

May 29, 2014 Graham 4 Comments

Almost 20 years have passed since the last Alfa Romeo that was affordable to mere mortals was sold in the US. Sure, there was a brief comeback with the 8C Competizione and new models are set to reach these shores soon, but it seems like us Italian car car enthusiasts have been waiting a lifetime for this to happen. If you are impatient, why not sample one of the last new Alfas we had access to, the 164 sedan? For sale in Georgia, this final year 164LS 5-speed manual is about as close to new as you can get, with just over 25,000 miles on the clock.

Year: 1995
Model: 164LS
Engine: 3.0 V6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 25,775 mi
Price: $13,500

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1995 Alfa Romeo 164LS

One owner 25,000 miles, very clean and nice, Fresh timing belt and water pump. Clean Carfax. A great find with very low miles that is in very nice condition.

Versus the rear-drive Milano & 75, the 164s seemed to be valued just a little bit less, no doubt due to the fact that some hardcore Alfisti deride the front-drive architecture shared with Fiat, Lancia and Saab. This 164 truly pushes the envelope of what is possible when it comes to values currently, but it's doubtful you'll find one with less mileage anytime soon. For someone who has to have Pininfarina styling, a sonorous exhaust note and just needs to be different, there are few better luxury sedans with which to do it with on US shores.

-Paul

Classic, Fiat, Pininfarina

1973 Fiat 130 Coupe

May 23, 2014 Graham

The large executive Coupe was something that was very popular in the 1950s and 1960s in America; but in Europe, the idea took a bit longer to catch on. Still, by the 1970s we saw increasing examples from manufacturers going through major growth - BMW and Mercedes joined the big coupe market, along with new examples from Ferrari and Lamborghini. But one that is seldom thought of in that company is the Fiat 130 Coupe; Pininfarina designed and with a Ferrari-designed V6 mated to a ZF 5-speed, it's the forgotten sleeper of the large executive coupe market in the 1970s:

Year: 1973
Model: 130 Coupe
Engine: 3.2 liter V6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 67,000 mi
Price: Reserve Auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1973 Fiat 130 Coupe

Somehow it seems the words "luxury" and "Fiat" should never be used in the same sentence. For some unknown reason the folks at Fiat decided they wanted to compete in the high end with the likes of Mercedes and BMW ... and the 130 was born. As was expected of a luxury car it needed to be spacious and has a lot of user amenities.

The first time I saw a 130 I had to tell myself ... now that is as weird as they come ... and of course I loved it! The car has a very 70's look with a lot of glass. Remember that these were the days when BMW had the 2002 and Mercedes were boxes with tons of glass. Unfortunately the Fiat 130 was never imported into the USA therefore finding one on these shores is rare. This car was just imported in 2012 and spent all its life in Italy. Several things attracted me to this particular car:

I love the color combination as it is very 1970's. The blue exterior has a hint of purple and what is not to like of the mustard leather! What makes this Fiat 130 rather unique is that most had velour interior. This has the optional leather interior. The leather is original and in really nice condition. It really makes the car look quite elegant. The other big plus is that it has the optional 5-speed ZF gearbox which was also used on the 2.4 liter Fiat Dino. Only about 10% of the Fiat 140 had this gearbox, the rest were automatic.

So how is it to drive? Surprisingly the car feels a lot smaller on the road than it really is. The V6 engine was designed by Ferrari engineer Aurelio Lampredi and is loosely based on the Dino V6 engine. The engine feels very peppy and likes to rev. The gearbox has very short throws and gives the car a sporty feel. It has ZF power steering which gives the car a very good handling. The independent rear suspension is identical to the Fiat Dino and is rather sophisticated.

Paint is quite nice and the interior speaks for itself. The body is in excellent condition. There are a few rust bubbles on the right fender which were this way when I bought the car and has not gotten worst. The undercarriage is straight and rust free. Chrome is nice as is the glass. There is a crack on the inner laminate of the rear glass. The crack does not extend to the outside of the glass and it is barely noticeable. Mechanically the car is very good with no smoke or major oil leaks. AC works as do the gauges, power windows, power steering etc.

The car was imported into the USA a couple of years ago from Modena, Italy. It falls under the 25 years exemption which permits cars to be imported and not be subject to the DOT and EPA regulations of that year. Therefore this car retains the beautiful European headlights which I am sure would have been modified had Fiat brought the car into the USA ... also it would have had much bigger (and uglier) bumpers.

Overall this is the type of car that shows that it has been loved all of its life. It is what I would call an honest car which has its expected faults as it is after all 41 years old.I have really enjoyed owning this Fiat 130 but it is time to move on as I need the garage space for other stuff.

Car comes with its original owner's manual plus a copy of the shop manual.

Feel free to call me if you have questions: 770-998-0923 Ivan

Terms of Sale

Buyer is responsible for shipping and insurance costs.

Please only serious bidders. I have described the above mentioned vehicle to the best of my ability. However, with all pre-owned automobiles, the condition is subjective, so I recommend that the potential buyer inspects as well as test drives the vehicle before finalizing purchase.

NO BIDDERS WITH ZERO OR NEGATIVE FEEDBACK WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING WITH ME!

THIS VEHICLE IS BEING ADVERTISED ELSEWHERE AND COULD BE SOLD BEFORE THE AUCTION HAS COMPLETED. I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CANCEL THE AUCTION AT ANY TIME.

I realize buying a car based on a few photos on an internet auction may carry some risks. I want to make sure the buyer feels comfortable with his/her purchase. I will promptly respond to e-mail questions.

- $1,000 deposit 24 hours after the end of the auction, Paypal is accepted for the deposit

- Balance to be paid via bank wire within 5 days of end of auction

- Seller reserves the right to end auction prior to its end.

- If the vehicle is not as represented upon personal inspection, I will promptly refund your deposit. No refund after final Bill of Sale is signed.

- I always strongly encourage a pre-purchase inspection before making final payment.

My intent is for you to be 100% satisfied with your purchase! Please check my eBay rating

The condition on this car is impressive, and the styling really stands out. Sure, it's not as much of a draw as some of the more exotic metal from the other Italian manufacturers and you could easily argue that the BMW 3.0CS is a better looking car. But really good examples of the 3.0 are heading up towards $100,000 these days and the same is true of any of the Lamborghini or Ferrari examples. So what you have here is a budget exotic; few will know what it is, but you'll have the driving experience that relies on ties to the more exotic siblings it is related to. At the end of the day, this car screams cool 1970s Italian and I'd love to be seen in it; slap your best suit on, pack the Campari, slick your hair back and head for Lake Como. But this car can be had for a fraction of the cost of anything else that would give you the feeling this package would.

-Carter

Fiat, Modern Classic, Pininfarina

1981 Fiat 2000 Spider Turbo

May 22, 2014 Graham

When talking about classic Italian cars associated with the words Pininfarina and Turbo, Ferrari comes immediately to mind with the legendary 288 GTO and F40; but there was an earlier mating of those two words with a third outlier; Fiat, in this case. Originally badged the 124 Spider, Fiat and Pininfarina renamed the spider the "2000" in 1979, and in 1981 Fiat and Legend Industries made around 700 turbocharged models for the U.S. market. A well proportioned car with classic roadster styling and impressive heritage, the 2000 Spider none-the-less remains one of the cheapest ways to get into a neat and classic Italian ride:

Year: 1981
Model: 2000 Spider Turbo
Engine: 2.0 liter turbocharged inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 26,400 mi
Price: $14,499

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1981 Fiat 2000 Spider Turbo

1981 FIAT SPIDER 2000 Turbo

If you would love to have a great little roadster for some top down, sun in your face, wind in your hair motoring then the Fiat Spider is an excellent choice! Produced almost exclusively for the North American market, although sold occasionally in some European Countries, the Fiat 124/Spider is becoming a very sought after roadster among car enthusiasts looking for an affordable collectible sports car that can be driven and enjoyed as well as make a great investment. Designed by Italian stylist and coachbuilder Pininfarina the Fiat 124/Spider rivaled the MGB and Alfa Spider as the world’s longest running sports car. Many collectors will tell you that the most desirable models are the fuel-injected models, which began in 1980.

'81 Fiat Spider 2000 Turbo — Overview: These little cars were never very powerful, but with the exception of the truly exotic cars, handling capabilities were far superior to most other sports cars of their time.. Fiat began to consider pulling out of the US. In an attempt to try to save the Fiat brand in the US, the importer, Fiat USA, Inc., worked with Legend Industries to install turbo chargers on several late '81 and early '82 cars, after they reached the United States. Boost was limited to only 6 psi to avoid damaging the engine, which was not designed to be used with a turbo. Even at a modest 6 psi, the turbo really awakened the little two liter four cylinder engine. Rarity: Only approximately 700 Spider 2000 Turbo models were made. These turbo models proved to be somewhat unreliable, and many of these cars were “de-trubo-ed”, leaving them as normal “Fuel Injected” cars. With the turbo failures, and the normal number of mechanical failures and accidents associated with a car nearly three decades old, there are very few of these still running and in their original mechanical condition. Handling: Truly amazing.. Acceleration: Pretty good... by 1981 standards. It's not a Ferrari, but with the turbo it easily outruns “stock” spiders.

Not only does this fuel injected ‘81 Spider look great but also it drives and handles as good as it looks!!! Everything works. The gauges all operate. The 5 speed manual transmission shifts nicely through the gears. The clutch was changed when the motor was rebuilt. The engine was rebuilt about 3000 miles ago. The entire car was restored over the last few years. Everything has been disassembled and any worn parts have been replaced. Brakes are new. Brake lines have been replaced. Suspension was rebuilt and modified for better handling. Upper and lower control arms have been replaced with new.

The interior of the car is original. There are some very small cracks in the seats. (See pictures)The original turbo was replaced with a new unit as the turbos on these cars were susceptible to premature ware. To combat this, a post oiler was added to keep the bearings on the turbo cool when spinning down. Every effort was made to make this a drivable car you could take around town or a nice trip. The engine runs nice and smooth while the operating temperature stays nice and cool. It’s got plenty of pep. The brakes feel good and the steering is accurate and fun.

This car has power windows and a/c. both work well. The A/C was retrofitted to 134a Freon.

Tires: 195/65/14 tire have less than 2000 miles

All turbo hoses were replaced with new silicone hose.

Brakes are new and have an adjustable brake bias valve installed.

Pioneer sound system, am/fm/cassette/cd 6disk changer

Oil pan guard was installed. (See picture)

Few things needing attention…

A couple of small dings and paint blemishes could be easily repaired (see pictures)

The vinyl top has a slight cut in the welting and is barely noticeable. The rear window is clear.

The Pininfarina Hardtop comes with the car. These tops are VERY RARE!!!!!!

The top alone would go for about $3,000.00. These were used on the 124 rally cars and were designed by Pininfarina. This is not a knock off!

Pedigree: This car has won at concourse at the Fiat Lancia Unlimited national Fiat club meeting twice in class. It has trophied 3 times at Lime Rock Park concours d’Elegance. And has been invited 3 times and participated at the Greenwich CT. Concours D’elegance. It is a very presentable car.

Also included in the sale are extra motors and transmissions and all original parts and extra turbos/manifolds. Many of these parts can no longer be obtained.

Feel free to contact me to schedule a time to see it for yourself.

Worldwide Shipping at Buyers Expense Please, No con artists. I have seen this in the past and will not be negotiating with people I cannot speak to directly. Money talks…….

As a car with potential to show, this is a neat example of a car that you can afford to buy, work on yourself and enjoy some classic Italian lines and soundtrack. Condition is far above average with some room for improvement and pricing is compelling at under $15,000. I personally love the color combination, and the addition of the factory hard top is quite cool. It will never be the car that draws a large crowd or snaps your neck with acceleration, but this is a solid package with some great roots in classic Italian motoring!

-Carter

Ferrari, Modern Classic, Pininfarina

1989 Ferrari 328 GTS

May 21, 2014 Graham

The Ferrari 308/328 stablemates were, for a long time, the bread and butter of Ferrari's sales. Great looks, an even better soundtrack, and big screen appeal made the Ferrari the natural choice if you wanted an exotic Italian sports car. They were also much more reasonably priced than the headline-grabbing Testarossa and F40, and much better looking than the Mondial and 400/412i. Was it the perfect Ferrari? A lot of people seem to think so; the counterpoint to Porsche's 911 model, the 308 and 328 are still some of the most popular Ferraris - and amazingly, still some of the cheapest to buy and own. While classic Porsche 911 prices have gone through the roof, as have Ferrari's own Dino 206/246 prices, the 308 and 328 remain cars that can be bought on a reasonable budget. What's the best one to own? Well, if you like the angular styling of the originals obviously they'll be top on your list - but if I was in the market, I'd look for the best example of the last of the run - the 328, just like today's ultra-low mileage example:

Year: 1989
Model: 328 GTS
Engine: 3.2 liter V8
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 7,900 mi
Price: Reserve Auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1989 Ferrari 328 GTS

1989 Ferrari 328GTS

You are looking at a garage kept 1 owner collector car in PRISTINE condition. This is a 1989 Ferrari 328GTS with only 7900 miles. She's finished with its original Red paint with Black leather hides. The back leather is also original with no leather repair performed.

LOOK AT THE DASH AND PANEL PICTURES

THIS IS A COLLECTOR CAR

7900 ORIGINAL MILES AND ITS PRICED FOR A QUICK SALE THESE CARS ARE APPRECIATING RAPIDLY

WE GUARANTEE THIS VEHICLE TO BE IN SHOW AND ORIGINAL CONDITION OR YOUR MONEY BACK.

MAJOR SERVICE JUST DONE WITH TIMING BELT AND ENGINE RESEAL.

Call Nick on my cell direct 239 269 7713 call or text

Behold the holy grail of collector cars!!

WE ARE RANKED # 36 IN THE WORLD ON EBAYMOTORS. WE SELL EXCLUSIVE LUXURY AND EXOTIC CARS SHIPPING ALL OVER THE WORLD

Perfect color combination, excellent condition, recent service; this car has it all. Truth be told, I'd rather have a Berlinetta than the GTS model, but for the right car I'd probably make an exception. Either way you're sure to turn heads, be able to show up at a car event and gather a crowd, and enjoy some classic V8 Ferrari motoring. 1989 was the swan song for the 308/328, as later in the year they were replaced by the mostly new 348. It was the end of an era, and one that produced some classic cars that are still on the rise in value. This car should fetch top dollar - around $65,000 in today's market. You can buy a cheaper one, but you're not likely to find a better one.

-Carter

Alfa Romeo, Modern Classic, Pininfarina

1995 Alfa Romeo GTV

May 20, 2014 Graham 2 Comments

Just the other day I wrote up an Alfa Romeo 33, wondering aloud how and why such a car would have been chosen to import to the United States. Today we have another rarity on U.S. shores, but this time the candidate makes significantly more sense to me. The name "GTV" is legendary to Alfa fans, and in some ways you could argue that the 916 series GTV wasn't deserving of the name - it was, after all, a front wheel drive car. But discount that, and the GTV was a striking design that really stood apart from its contemporaries, combining classic Alfa design elements into a new and unique car that was if nothing else stunning. The GTV was offered with many different engines, from the twin-spark 2.0 16 valve right through the awesome 24 valve 3.2 V6. Today's GTV is from early in the production run but has one of the higher grade motors then offered, the 2.0 V6 turbo:

Year: 1995
Model: GTV
Engine: 2.0 liter turbocharged V6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 84,000 mi
Price: No Reserve Auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1995 Alfa Romeo GTV

Selling my 1995 Alfa Romeo GTV Coupe car Runs and Drives Very Smooth i imported the car from italy a while back.. Car is Fully Serviced timing belt was done last summer about 6,000 km ago car is ready to drive minor dents and scratches from city parking NO RUST Car is a 1995 not 2014 Car had currently 134377 km (84,000miles) will be high because i do drive the car …. Great Daily Driver Turns Heads Everyday car i located in bronxville NY please do not message me and ask how i REGISTERED it if you like the car and are a serious buyer i might be able to help … for more info John 914-804984Two

Car is Listed at 1980 because ebay will not accept Vin

If you want a unique Italian daily driver that won't bankrupt you, has modern conveniences and a bit of sport, but will turn heads no matter where you go, this is probably the best way to do it. Unlike the quite overpriced Alfa 33 I wrote up, bidding on this GTV is quite low so far - hovering around the $6,000 mark as of writing. For that amount, I can't imagine buying more style for your dollar. Will it be absolutely reliable? Come now, it's an Alfa....but if you can discount that you'll be fixing it from time to time this car looks like a steal to me. I'd want to make sure all of the U.S. paperwork was properly sorted before purchasing but otherwise can't see any drawbacks. Sort some of the later GTV alloys and do a bit of detailing, and this car is a show stopper.

-Carter

Alfa Romeo

1976 Alfa Romeo Spider

May 12, 2014 Graham 2 Comments

Of all the Alfa Romeo Spiders, my personal favorites are the very first and last examples of the breed. However, in between all this drop top goodness lies a few Spiders worthy of more than just a passing glance. This 1976 Spider for sale by our friends at Ocean Drive Motors has the Kamm tail indicative of the second generation. This car has been restored and also has the slimmer Euro bumpers installed.

Year: 1976
Model: Spider
Engine: 2.0 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: N/A
Price: $19,900

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1976 Alfa Romeo Spider

The beautiful 1976 Alfa Romeo Spider restored to what we call, better then factory. Bumpers from 1976 have been converted to the European style stainless steel front/rear bumpers with the gorgeous Alfa Grille. Recently finished in classic Alfa Romeo Red paint, everything about this spider is right. New convertible top, interior stripped to floor boards with refinished seats/carpets/door panels and console. Gauges are chrome and perfect versus the plastics interiors of the later models. Excessive emissions components brought to minimal for peak performance. Front/rear suspension completely rebuilt including new exhaust, brakes and tires. This beautiful classic Alfa Romeo has over $15,000.00 of restorations and work put into it. This Alfa is ready to be driven and appreciated for the true classic car that it reveals.

Stock: 8042
VIN: AR3050669
Price: $19,900.00
Item/Part/Restored
Amount
Stayfast Convertible top

Even though the warm months are upon us, it's never too late to buy a Spider. These Series 2 Spiders make an affordable alternative to the earlier Duetto and Giulietta Spiders. With a new Spider about to debut, it's an optimal time to grab on to some of that Italian roadster nostalgia.

-Paul

Ferrari, Modern Classic, Pininfarina

1984 Ferrari 288 GTO

May 10, 2014 Graham 6 Comments

In the heady days of the 1980s, the FIA developed a new formula to dictate production-based race cars in both rally and sports car racing. It was the time of turbocharging in Formula 1, and that turbo technology had spilled over to the World Rally Championship in the form of the revolutionary Audi Quattro. Soon, it became evident that turbocharging would be the way forward, and it seemed that each few months a new iteration of a race car was being launched with even more power. The formula created was known as "Group B" - like its prototype "Group C" brothers, it would standardize a series across various manufacturers. What the rules produced were race cars that seemed unbounded by rules; indeed, you only needed to produce 200 examples of a loosely related road going car. As a result, we saw some unreal creations - most are associated with Rally, like the 13" shortened Audi Sport Quattro and mid-engined supercharged and turbocharged Lancia Delta S4; but few remember that the rules also dictated sports car racing. As a result, notable manufacturers Porsche and Ferrari jumped at the opportunity. From Porsche, we saw the development of the legendary 959, with its twin-turbo charged, watercooled flat six, all-wheel drive, active suspension and 6-speed transmission. It was technical, complicated and totally German. Ferrari decided to go another route; back to its routes, Ferrari produced a lightweight version of the 308 GTB with a new twin-turbocharged version of the V8. Dubbed the 288, it reintroduced the world to the legendary title "GTO" - Gran Turismo Omologato. It was little more than a race car for the road:

Year: 1984
Model: 288 GTO
Engine: 2.9 liter twin-turbocharged V8
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 13,000 mi
Price: $1,895,000

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1984 Ferrari 288 GTO

Description:

1984 Ferrari 288GTO, Ferrari factory Classiche certified with books, tools and service records. Car now in Yokohama, Japan, ex Switzerland and France. Swiss taxes paid. Superb example, extremely well cared for from day one. Power windows and working air conditioning. Accident-free example looks almost new with show quality repaint by Zanasi. Easily accessible to inspect. HISTORY: 2/1985, New to Crepaldi, authorized Ferrari dealer in Milano, Italy. 9/2001. To second owner in France and registered in France. 2012 Offered by Garage Zenith SA in Swiss. Classiche certified 9/2012, Sold and shipped to Japan. Prior to delivery, comprehensive maintenance performed with invoice 20,000+CF, plus new set of Michelin tires mounted. 10/2013. Registered road legal in Japan with the transportation authority. Car driven 2,000 km since major service. A superb example to show and enjoy, as it is one of the truly great driver's Ferraris.

Price: $1,895,000 obo

The E30 M3 crowd loves to pat themselves on the back with the incredible gain in value over the past year many have experienced. Frankly, they're small potatoes compared to these hot Ferraris. In the past year and a half, top value on 288 GTOs has more than doubled - from around $700,000 for a pristine example to around $1.7 million. That curve has flattened out slight in the past few months, but is still generally headed upwards. Although the GTO was ultimately eclipsed by the F40 in enthusiasts' minds, it's an important part of Ferrari history that is now recognized in value. This particular example is ahead of the curve, but not by much - and these 288s don't grow on trees. For most of us, we'll be lucky to see one in our lifetime, but the rest of the time we can dream about the awesome days of Group B and the wicked cars it spawned.

-Carter

Ferrari, Modern Classic, Pininfarina

1990 Ferrari F40

May 2, 2014 Graham

I'm guessing everyone who has seen the Ferrari F40 in person (and many that haven't) have their own personal F40 story; so, here's mine. When I was a younger lad, our local luxury dealership struck a deal with a patron to purchase two Ferrari F40s. If it sounds outrageous, it was even more outrageous how much the contract was for - at the time, several million dollars. You may remember that Ferrari lost their proverbial shirt on the 288 GTO; speculators bought up the limited production run, turned around and sold many of them at an outrageous profit - in some cases, up to 10 times the original purchase price. Determined not to have that happen again, Ferrari priced the F40 at a then outrageous $500,000 give or take, but many dealers demanded premiums up to a few million dollars. Presuming that - like the stock market - the supercar market would continue to rise to the heavens, many speculators signed up. It was a sure bet, afterall! Then the crash of 1989 occurred, and shortly thereafter the supercar market tanked. It killed many of the late 1980s and early 1990s cars entirely, and some supercar makers folded up entirely. That didn't happen to Ferrari, obviously, though it sure helped that Fiat held the checkbook at the time. In any event, the market on these cars came way back to reality, and this particular speculator - who had agreed to pay millions for the delivery of the second F40 - suddenly found said car to be worth only a fraction of his outstanding contract. He refused delivery, the dealership sued - and won. They retained the car and several million dollars, which they utilized to build a new addition to the dealership for some crazy upstart from Japan called "Lexus" - but who would be crazy enough to pay a premium for re-badged Toyotas?

Anyway, my part in the story. My father had a friend at said dealership who called him up to come see this F40. If they're not exactly commonplace now, they certainly weren't in 1989, either, yet here I was, confronted with one and being told I could sit in it. Of course, I had studied the F40 extensively, and knew the car like the back of my hand. In person, it was even more impressive than the magazines had related; it was like confronting a hurricane, tornado and tidal wave of force all wrapped in one pretty red package. The slats and vents reminded me of the 250 GTO, and like that car it was a thinly veiled race car that you could put number plates on. Glue leaked out of seams, it smelled like burnt plastic inside, the finish was horrible in places - it felt sort of cheap compared to the immaculately finished Porsches they also had at the dealer. There were no frills, and the carbon fiber doors were so wispy-thin that I got out and unintentionally slammed the door closed. Both my father and his friend gasped; the sticker price on the car, after all, was about 4 times what my father's house was worth at the time. Fast forward to today, and like the real estate market it turns out it would have been pretty smart to buy at the time, because today it's ask is about 3 times what it was when new once again - we've come full circle:

Year: 1990
Model: F40
Engine: 2.9 liter twin-turbocharged V8
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 5,287 mi
Price: $1,300,000

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1990 Ferrari F40

1990 FERRARI F40

--Red with Red, 5,000 miles from new, 5-speed transmission, Tubi sport exhaust system.

This F40 is absolutely superb, fully serviced throughout and come complete with Ferrari Classiche Certification.

This F40 is immaculate in all respects, it is complete with all books, tools and records as originally delivered from the factory.

Not much more needs to be said in the description; you're not likely to be able to afford one, but they sure are pretty to look at and amazing in person. Thanks to the internet, we've gotten to see more exposure on the F40 than ever over the past few years and if anything, the legend is even bigger than when it was new. The last great car produced under the leadership of Enzo, this car was and is a monster - both in performance and design. While the price may seem outrageous now and is certainly above market value - Hagerty puts a top F40 just over 1,000,000 - I'd guess that in a few decades we'll again look back and see it wasn't so outrageous, afterall - this car will undoubtedly stand alongside such greats as the 250GTO and Daytona as one of the best Ferraris ever made.

-Carter