1959 Autobianchi Transformable

May 4, 2014 Graham

Having just spent part of my spring holiday in Lisbon, Portugal, I have images of this Autobianchi Transformable fitting right into the scene. Looking cheerful in pastel yellow, this diminutive Italian would fit right in amongst the colorful, tiled buildings and palm trees while bouncing down the cobbled streets. Based on the Fiat 500, these cars were available in sedan, roadster, estate and van body styles, along with the Transformable, or convertible that you see here. This Transformable has a recently rebuilt engine and is for sale by our friends at Ocean Drive Motors in Ontario, Canada.

Year: 1959
Model: Transformable
Engine: 650cc inline-2
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Mileage: N/A
Price: $44,000

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1959 Autobianchi Transformable

This rare Italian micro car was only produced from 1959 to 1961 in this very collectible transformable convertible model powered by a fresh rebuilt 650cc 2 cylinder engine and transmission. Capable of cruising at 100km/hr with no double clutching for gear down shifting. This is a excellent example of one of the most attractive and collectible micro cars. This beautiful Autobianchi has been completely resorted to high quality standards with a added sound system and iPod sync unit. This very rare Italian micro car is ready to drive and will make a great addition to any collection. Price: $44,000.00

Prices for micro cars in the past couple of years have been shooting up. It used to be that you could easily snag one of these Autobianchis for well under $20,000, but even drivers in rougher shape than our featured car here are fetching in the mid $20,000 range. While it could be a pricer option than a Smart car, just think how smart you would look cruising in the city in one of these, enjoying the size and economy benefits of a small car with a healthy dose of 1950s Italian design.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo, Modern Classic

1991 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce

May 3, 2014 Graham

Earlier in the week, I wrote up a low-mileage 1991 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce; it's one of the more affordable classic Italian Spiders you can pick up these days. Well, Ocean Drive Motors has an even more affordable version of nearly the same car; this time in more traditional red, they've got another 1991 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce on offer:

Year: 1991
Model: Spider
Engine: . liter
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 71,957 mi
Price: $11,900

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1991 Alfa Romeo Spider

1991 ALFA ROMEO

MODEL: SPIDER
DRIVE TYPE: REAR WHEEL
CYLINDERS: 4
HORSEPOWER: 120.00Bhp (88.3KW) @ 5800.00 RPM
Hp/LITER: 60.0 BH / LITER
FUEL FEED: FUEL INJECTED
BLOCK: ALUMINUM
HEAD: ALUMINUM
STOCK #: 8011
ODOMETER: 71,957
EXTERIOR COLOUR: RED
INTERIOR COLOUR: TAN
VIN #: ZARBB32N7006007839
PRICE: $11,900.00
FEATURES: NEW TIRES, NEW BRAKES, ALWAYS
SERVICED,

If you're looking for a low mileage, pristine example, the first option is obviously better for you; however, at only 72,000 miles it's not exactly like this one has racked up an unreasonable amount of trips around the block. Condition overall appears to be nearly as good as the first example, and you get a 50% discount over the asking price of the white example. Personally, for a bit of classic Italian motoring that wasn't going to my primary transportation, I'd be willing to accept that discount. The higher miles will require more maintenance, sure, but I wouldn't be too afraid to add to the total by taking trips down by the seaside. There's a great drive along the seaside in Newport, Rhode Island called Ocean Drive; it's a winding relatively low speed road that I just see as the perfect fit for a little top down enjoyment of the seaside air - and this car fits the budget, too.

-Carter

Classic, Giugiaro, Italdesign, Maserati

1975 Maserati Merak Targa

May 3, 2014 Graham

I've posted this Merak to our CICFS Facebook Fanpage, so what's it doing back here? Well, first off, it's a nice example that's worth taking a look at; the Merak is one of the prettier "wedge" designs from Giugiaro, even if it lacked the performance of its big brother Bora. But what's unique about this one is what has occurred to the roof; because unlike nearly every other Merak out there, this one's a Targa::

Year: 1975
Model: Merak
Engine: 3.0 liter V6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 76,900 mi
Price: Reserve Auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1975 Maserati Merak

1975 Maserati Merak AM122-2182

Customization by Steering Wheel Inc. in South Florida circa. 1975. This particular car was delivered new to the US in 1975, and had it's roof customized by Tom Clark Sr. the owner of SWI. The book this car is documented in is on page 222 of "The Maserati Road Cars, Post war production cars 1946-1979 by Richard Crump/Rob de la Rive Box".

The strengthening of the chassis was done at the sills, the windscreen pillars were gusseted on the seams (see book photograph, main picture). This part of the roof work was done by local company, Trust Manufacturing Co.

It came with a blue interior originally, which has since been changed to the current caramel hides you see today. It is in driver condition, with many documents and receipts for work done in the past 30+ years.

With her original Campagnolo wheels, she has had 1 re-spray (by Gene Winfield btw for you SoCal hot rod nuts), in 1982, major services (hydraulics/clutch) in 2003 and 2008, and remains largely original with 76,9xx miles showing.

The paint is not perfect, nor is it a show car, but more of a "good ol' nail of a driver" (as my friend says). Purchased new in Florida in 1975, she then went to California and remained with the same owner for the next 37 years. Tons of paperwork and receipts go with the car, detailed documentation and papers for everything that was worked on.

The Merak is really just a nice, California, no major issues Driver, that needs a new home, she starts right up @ cold, idles great, doesn't run hot, shifts, brakes and drives down the road quite well. She has never been wrecked, or damaged, clean, no issues, straight car, with no Smog too!!! (we have a Video of a Cold start and a quick drive off in her).

Please keep in mind, this car is 39 years old! It has never been restored, it has it's imperfections, so if you're looking for a "show" car, move on! I am upfront and blunt, I do not need to sugarcoat things like some people who sell. Pooling through the documentation on her, what I'm asking for the car and than some, adds up in receipts alone...

A clean, no stories, California Title (1975 NO SMOG!) comes with the car. The Merak also comes with (2) keys, original Owner's Manual, and 40+ pages of receipts/documentation.

Some areas of attention are as follows.

-All of the hydraulic lights on the dash work, and gauges (except noted gas gauge)

-A/C car, but currently non-functional, fan motor and defrost etc. run though

-Crack rear flying buttress (picture)

-Crack front bumper (picture)

-Chip in hood above Trident (picture)

-Hood latch is not working properly (hence the "ajar" look of the fitment per pictures, common)

-Driver window is slow going up/down

-Gas gauge is INOP

If you need more information or pictures, please let me know I'll do my best. Car is located in Roseville, CA at my best friends shop.

-Please call if you wish to discuss, Ken @ 203-770-0839 CT, or Nick if you'd like to stop by and look at the Maserati @ 916-792-1645

-It has nicks, imperfections and some small areas of surface rust here and there. I have tried to take as many good, informative pictures as possible, if there is any area left out, please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate.

To those seriously interested parties, I have a DropBox with all of the papers/documentation uploaded I can send if interested in looking through it. Also, please note, if you would like more information about this cars history, I have made contact with Tom Clark Jr. in Florida, and he would be willing to discuss the car with prospective, serious individuals.

If you saw the 1975 Merak sell @ Auctions America a month back, you know that the values on these cars have increased. My reserve is respectful to the condition of the vehicle, and far below what the auction car sold for...

Happy Bidding, someone's going to really enjoy this mid-engined car...

Shipping is 100% the buyers responsibility, though we will do as much as possible to help. PPI's may be requested if given ample time, and if scheduling can be made without a time hassle. Thank you.

*Due to 2 non-paying buyers, this has been re-listed, and I am looking for a serious buyer, not a time waster...Thanks*

* Please note, if you have less than 5 feedback, you need to contact me before bidding, or you risk having your bid deleted.

**Please note, this vehicle is sold, as is, where is, condition, no warranty is expressed or implied.

***Please note, I take my time very seriously, and you should to, so please do not waste mine, and I will not waste yours. Do NOT bid on this car if you have no intentions or the means to purchase it. Do NOT win this auction only to show up wanting to "inspect", the duration of the auction time is the appropriate time for that action, not after the fact.

Yesterday on our sister site German Cars For Sale Blog, I wrote up a converted Porsche 928 - questioning the sanity of anyone that would take the roof off of an otherwise perfectly good coupe. I'm not sure why this was such a trend, but obviously it extended into the 1970s as well. It was reportedly converted when new and is generally original. These original run Meraks - during the Citroen ownership period - generally aren't the ones that are the most sought after, nor is this one in the best condition. But it's a neat piece of history for Maserati fans and I'm sure would be welcome at any meet; as a conversation starter alone, it's worth the story, especially with the documentation there!

-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

Maserati, Modern Classic, Zagato

1987 Maserati Biturbo Zagato

May 1, 2014 Graham 1 Comment

The Maserati Biturbo has always been a car that fascinated me; perhaps it's that I grew up in the 1980s where box-tacular designs were the norm, but there was something about the styling of the Biturbo that I always found appealing. It was tight and compact, sporty with enough flare that it really stood out. I was especially a fan of the dished wheels and still am. Compared to the somewhat oddly proportioned Quattroporte III, the Biturbo just looked right. That continued under the hood, where from a performance standpoint the Biturbo was fairly impressive; at least, on paper. In an era where 140-150 horsepower was considered "good", the twin turbocharged V6 put out a lofty 180 horsepower. Not all of that transferred into pulse-pounding performance, but still it was more than adequate for the time period; remember, that's more than some American V8s were pushing at the time. Still, the Biturbo didn't gain the best reputation, meaning you can pick up clean examples today for not much money, such as this clean example from Ocean Drive Motors:

Year: 1987
Model: Biturbo Zagato
Engine: 2.5 liter twin-turbocharged V6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 29,008 mi
Price: $9,000

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1987 Maserati Biturbo Zagato

1987 MASERATI BITURBO

MODEL: BITURBO ZAGATO
DRIVE TYPE: REAR WHEEL
CYLINDERS: 6
HORSEPOWER: 180.00 BHP (1325 KW) @ 6000.00 RPM
Hp / LITER: 90.0 BHP / LITER
FUEL FEED: FUEL INJECTED
BLOCK: ALUMINUM
HEAD: ALUMINUM

STOCK #: 8029
ODOMETER: 29,008 MILES
EXTERIOR COLOUR: SILVER
INTERIOR COLOUR: TAN
VIN #: ZAMPM1106HA331332
PRICE: $9,500.00
FEATURES: SERVICE RECORDS, NO RADIO, CONV. TOP NEEDS REPLACEMENT, RE-BUILT ELECTRICAL RELAY BOARD,

*VERY LOW MILEAGE – EXCELLENT SHAPE*

Though they look very similar to the sedan, the Spyder version of the Biturbo was styled by Zagato and rode on a shortened chassis, making it strictly a two seater. The color combination on this particular car is nice and understated; red and white were quite popular, so it's nice to see something a little different. While I'm not a fan of the overly-plush looking seats from 1980s Maseratis, overall the condition of this car inside and out is very clean. There are some needs, such as the replacement top, but if you're on a budget and want some unusual Italian fun in the sun, this Biturbo could be a fun sun project car. Overall it is priced pretty accurately in the marketplace for these Biturbos.

-Carter