To close our theme week dedicated to Sergio Pininfarina, I thought I would select one of his most striking designs: the Ferrari 288GTO. Named the number two sports car of the 1980s behind its rival, the Porsche 959, this car was curiously tied to the 959 by way of the the Group B race series. While the competed in the series, the 288GTO never turned a wheel in Group B. Still, it's nice to dream about what could have been, especially with a car that packs a 2.8 liter, twin turbocharged V8 pumping out 400 horsepower and catapulting the car to 60 mph in under 5 seconds. Heady numbers for the period indeed. This particular 288GTO is owned by British radio personality Chris Evans and is part of his famous White Collection that was recently featured on Top Gear.
Chris Evans' 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO LHD. White blue interior. It is one of Ferrari’s great cars and only 272 examples were made. 440 bhp,2855 cc mid mounted engine with dual overhead camshafts,twin turbo chargers and fuel injection.This stunning example had a ground up restoration costing more than £100,000 in 2009. It is like taking delivery of a new car and is one of the famous White Collection belonging to well known radio and tv presenter Chris Evans.
Launched: Geneva 1984. Body designed by Pininfarina, built by Ferrari 90' V8, 80 X 71mm, 2855cc, 400bhp at 7000rpm, 366ft/lbs torque at 3800rpm. Longitudinal mid engine with tin over head camshafts, four valves per cylinder and twin IHI turbochargers. Five-speed all synchromesh gearbox. Electronic fuel injection and ignition by Weber/Marelli together. Dry sump lubrication. Independent front and rear suspension. Disc brakes. Tubular steel chassis with body and other parts made from fibreglass. Kevlar, carbon fibre, Nomex and aluminium honeycomb. Wheelbase 8'5". This car is left hand drive.
I can't think of many cars that strike a better balance between grace and muscle than the 288GTO. Between $650,000 and $800,000 is where values currently stand for these brutes. The 288GTO alone is a rare vehicle, with under 300 examples ever being constructed. The unique color may not be to everyone's taste but along with the provenance, it will probably drive the price up a bit from more ordinary GTOs. The price isn't advertised but as the old adage goes, if you have to ask, you can't afford it.
Along with the Alfa Romeo Duetto Spider, the Fiat 124 Spider is one of the most recognizable Italian roadsters. No surprise, then, that the 124 Spider was designed by Sergio Pininfarina and the Alfa was penned by his father, Batista. From 1983 to the end of the car's production in 1985, the 124 Spider was marketed by the design house responsible for it's existence, being called the Pininfarina Spider Azzura. It's not too hard to find 124 Spiders and the later Spider Azzuras in good shape, but this example for sale in Illinois has to be one of the best examples I've laid eyes on, having been recently restored.
Do not confuse this listing with any other spider on Ebay. This is a just completed July delivery from Roadster Salon, the premier Fiat Spider Restoration company in the US. It is a brand new, fully sorted, warantied example. Just turn the key and go. Since 1999, our sister company Roadster Salon, has been passionately restoring and rehabilitating Italian cars. This ultra low mile, rust free example is a turn key car, ready to be enjoyed. The Level 1 restoration took place over an four month period, with all costmetic and mechanical concerns lovingly addressed. The end result is nothing short of one of the most beautiful cars we have ever completed. Hundreds of man hours have been spent carefully maintaining all original touches from 1984. Please visit our roadstersalon web site to learn more about our passionate endeavors restoring these Italian works of art.
What is a Level One restoration? Firstly, our Spider restorations typically fall into two categories. Level 1, and Level 2. Roadster Salon carefully selects candidates for restoration that are already in good overall condition, and meet our critical standards. Cars that require complete top to bottom rehabilitation are set aside for parts use only. Level 1 cars must be re-painted in their original color, due to the cost of a proper color change.
Roadster Salon cars are disassembled before paint. Interiors are fully refurbished, including new leather apolstery, carpets, door panels and console. A new convertible top is professionally installed. Mechanical repairs are limited to safety and performance concerns, not full scale rebuilds. Wear items like tires, brakes, and shocks are always replaced. Other key items inspected and repaired/replaced are fuel system, cooling system, suspension, transmission, timing belt, and engine gaskets and seals. Engine compartments are tidy, but not fully detailed.
Level two restorations are much more costly. Generally, we take the level two approach only on 1985.5 Pininfarina spiders, which have very limited production versus the 1980-1985 cars. Paint work is more ambitious, with more extensive preparation and finish times. Paint cost is typically double the budgeted amount in a Level One restoration. Undetectable exterior and Interior color changes are possible. Interiors are replaced completely, and feature optional leather material upgrades and custom installation. Mechanical work is not limited only to items in need of obvious repair. Engines and transmissions are removed from the car and completely rebuilt. Undercarriage is fully detailed and painted to a show standard. Level two restorations typically can take longer tham a year to complete, and start at $30,000.
Pricing
Spiders built after 1982 were fully assembled in Italy by Pininfarina. No Fiat badges are on the vehicle, and the cars were produced in very limited numbers. Only the 1981-82 Fiat Spider Turbo is comparable in terms of value. Roadster Salon's Base price for a Level One restored 83-85 Pininfarina Spider is $18995, including leather and power windows and 14" alloys. The base price for a fuel injected 1980-1982 Fiat Spider is $15995, which reflects the difference in our purchase cost and standard equipment.
Cosmetic Impressions
Close inspection shows this car's finsh work is exceeds our high standards. All key cosmetic items have been either replaced or refurbished, per level 1 standard. Car has been refinished in its original color combination to remain true to the intent of the manufacurer, and keep the finished cost below $20K. One of the most breath taking cars we have ever completed. Tuxedo black over tan interior is a stunning contrast.
Mechanical Impressions
Car is a joy to drive, although test runs have been kept to a minimum due to the extremely low original mileage on the car. It can easily be shown and transported from event to event---or actually driven daily. This is one of the most outstanding combination of miles and condition you are likely to ever find. Five speed transmission is precise and shifts smoothly. All key aspects of the car perform as intended. All mechanical concerns have been addressed prior to delivery. A+
Market Analysis
We have been selling these cars for over ten years, and are well aware of there value. Let's face it--there are many of these around for cheap dollars in need of care. A private person could not duplicate this car (even doing the majority of the work themselves) for anywhere near our selling price. This is a terrific value. Own a true piece of automotive history by the same designer as Ferrari for the cost of a Toyota.
Even though it has the later crash bumpers, the black paintwork help those appendages blend in and the tan leather compliments the color perfectly. Average Pininfarina Spiders in good running order will generally run in the $7,000 to $11,000 range. At almost $19,000, this car is priced in the stratosphere. Is it worth it? One can't be sure. If you always wanted a new 124 or Pininfarina Spider, the chance may not come around again for quite some time. Then again, I'd rather have a Spider with a little bit of patina and mileage because this car is almost too nice to press into service.
This past weekend, I was fortunate enough to test drive a Maserati Quattroporte for the first time. Upon meeting this machine, I was amazed that something this big could be so hard edged. Also, I am in agreement with most in the motoring press about whether I could live with the DuoSelect automated manual gearbox. Nevertheless, I was captivated by this car and the awesome power and sound from the Ferrari derived 4.2 liter V8. It is certainly one of the more memorable cars I’ve driven. This sedan also happens to be another modern classic that Sergio Pininfarina had a hand in bringing to fruition. As good as the Porsche Panamera is, the aesthetics of the Quattroporte show up its rival from Stuttgart. This Quattroporte for sale in Las Vegas represents a chance for motoring enthusiasts of more modest means to experience a fine Italian exotic.
* With only 23,155 miles
* Factory original Maserati Quattroporte with absolutely no engine or suspension modifications
* Clean California title
* No dents or major scratches
* Extremely clean
* Carfax Certified
* Nearly flawless in every way
* Maserati calls this color "Carbon Black" - all original body panels
* Premium Black leather interior
Options and features
6-Speed manual transmission w/automatic clutch
Paddle shifters w/sequential/automatic modes
Navigation system
Bose sound system
6 Disc CD changer
Alcantara headliner
Projector beam lens Bi-Xenon headlights
Rear window shade
Heated leather seats
Power reclining rear seats
Front and rear parking sensors
Auto-leveling adaptive suspension
Electronic traction control
Automatic dual-zone climate control
Staggered 18” Alloy wheels on Michelin Pilot Sport tires
Front tires (245/45ZR18) have 7/32” tread
Rear tires (285/40ZR18) have 4/32” tread
394-hp, 333 ft.lbs of torque 4.2-liter V8 engine
Buyer will receive one original master key with one original remote fob, front and rear floor mats and all the books
This is a rare opportunity to purchase a car designed by Pininfarina in superior, nearly-new condition. Everything works perfectly and this Maserati drives just like a new one - really. Third party inspections are always welcome. There is no rust and no sign of abuse in any way. No objectionable odors, No burns, no tears and only very little wear on the driver's seat side bolster. Mechanically this Maserati Quattroporte is in excellent condition. The paint is smooth and shiny, brakes are strong, transmission shifts perfectly, engine is smooth and quiet. This car needs nothing.
It’s almost hard to fathom that some cars which were once hovering around $100,000 when new have dropped below $40,000 just a few years later. Depreciation, then, is a wonderful thing. With 23,000 miles, a prospective buyer might expect another 20,000 before a major service and clutch replacement. Within the same price range, you could get a car with about 20,000 more miles with a recent service. Even with faults such as high maintenance costs and a somewhat balky gearbox, after driving one, I’ve fallen under the Quattroporte’s spell. It’s certainly a car that has wound up on my bucket list.
A high point in Sergio Pininfarina's career was the Ferrari Testarossa, introduced at the Paris Motor Show in 1984. The car was a replacement for the Berlinetta Boxer and its name stood for red head in Italian, a reference to the car's red cam covers and a tribute to the Testa Rossa GT cars of the late 1950s and early 1960s. One of the most instantly recognizable Ferraris of all time, the trademark side strakes feeding the radiators and wide rear section made a dramatic styling statement in an era where such brash aesthetics were welcomed. This car is for sale in California and underwent a major service in early 2008.
1987 Ferrari Testarossa, VIN: ZFFSG17A1H0069267, Rosso Corsa with Tan Leather
Upon its introduction in late 1984, the Testarossa stunned the world with its avant garde styling. Long low and wide, the Testarossa appeared even more so thanks to the extensive use of horizontal slatting, a feature that would be replicated both on other Ferraris and on many other lesser cars. Yet beneath these striking features was a surprisingly organic and handsome form that remains as arresting today as it was twenty years ago. Motivated by a new four valve version of Ferrari`s horizontally opposed twelve cylinder engine that made 390hp, the car was quick and made fantastic noises, but was also very plush with leather almost everywhere, including on the rear shelf, headliner, and visors. The trunk is reasonably sized and the car very comfortable and easy to drive, making it an ideal way to cover long distances at high speeds in comfort. Many Testarossa owners use them regularly and there are many owners with cars having covered over 125,000 miles, and even an example with over 200,000 miles!
This particular car has covered just 25,000 miles, and was sold new in California. In the hands of the present owner since 1992, it has enjoyed a single ownership period for nearly its entire life. In January of 2008, at 24,464 (just 1,100 miles ago), a major engine-out belt service was completed by Alfamilano Inc in Los Angeles, California, which totaled $8,610.90 including the replacement of the hood struts, recharging the air conditioning system, and replacing the shifter cover seal to the transaxle. It is current on its service at this time.
The car is in good mechanical order, and runs and drives well. Cosmetically, it is best described as a nice driver, as there are a handful of minor paint and body blemishes about the car, typical of 25 year old automobiles. The interior is very nice, benefiting from the car’s low mileage. The dash exhibits minimal shrinkage, which is common to Ferrari of this era. The front carpets have been replaced with lambs wool overlays. Both the carpeted front storage area, and the engine bay, are in beautiful condition. This car sits on factory wheels, which are in good condition. Included with the sale are the books, tools, jack, bulb set, and records for the Alfamilano Inc. major service.
This is a great opportunity to acquire one of these very neat and important cars. Their astonishing styling still carries tremendous impact, and they are modern, practical, and easy enough to drive to use on a regular basis. This car has been in California for most of its life and represents a great way to enjoy the Ferrari experience as often as possible for the new owner. Moreover, with values of these cars stabilized and are beginning to go up, lower mileage examples such as this one can be a rationally appealing proposition as well.
An average Testarossa of this vintage will usually bring around $55,000 to $60,000, with the best examples glancing the $70,000 mark. Given that one owner possessed this car for about 20 years, this would be a good car to buy. Even though it hasn't covered many miles since the service, time is not kind to any machine of this caliber. A service could be lurking in another few years, the price of which should be factored in to the purchase price.
Last week, the world lost one of the automotive greats: Sergio Pininfarina. The son of Batista Farina, Sergio took over control of the design firm from his father in 1961, the same year he changed his last time from Farina to Pininfarina at the request of the Italian president, to match the name of the company. In 1966, Pininfarina became chairman of the company and in the same year, produced a prototype for a new mid engine Ferrari to bear the Dino name. Enzo Ferrari had originally been opposed to a mid engined vehicle, concerned that his customers would fall victim to tricky handling. But with the introduction of the Miura at his rival company Lamborghini, the temptation to move in a new direction was too great. These early mid engine Ferraris have been gaining steam in the collector market and this restored example for sale in California is a nice example of one of Sergio Pininfarina's earlier works.
1971 Ferrari 246 GT Dino, targa top red classic. Restored, highly sought after by collectors worldwide. This great example of the 246 was just released from a private collection where it has been lovingly maintained for the last 20 years. Car has had mechanical engine rebuild approximately 12k miles ago. The mechanical inspection just completed shows compression of 190 psi on all cylinders. This is a fine example of an older restoration with the cosmetics in impressive condition - dash is in excellent condition, daytona style seats are supple and well cared for, wood steering wheel is superb and more. Mechanically vehcile runs and drives great.
This rust free 246 is truly a fantastic find. Do not miss the opportunity to own what experts believe is among the fastest appreciating sports car investment pieces. The Dino is coveted by collectors worldwide. Its mid-placed engine was a Ferrari first for a street car, while the quad cam V6 is a superb engine that capitalized on Ferrari's racing experience gained from building racing V6's. Styling is by Pininfarina and, the Dino has long been a favorite among Ferrari collectors and enthusiasts thanks to its beautiful lines and proportions, exceptional engine, and balanced chassis.
From the odometer, it appears this Dino has a little over 50,000 miles on the clock. Given that this is a restored example and not original, the asking price of nearly $270,000 seems a bit over the top. A nice example like this might bring closer to $175,000 in this market, with examples fetching more than $200,000 being unrestored originals or those with a special history.
