Tag Archives: 1996

1996 Ferrari F355 Spider

It's often said that clothes make the man. For me, colors make the car. The F355 was the last of the wedge shaped mid-engined V8 Ferraris and in Le Mans blue with a bright red interior and canvas roof, this Spider is striking. For sale in California, this Ferrari is made even more attractive by eschewing the F1 gearbox in favor of the traditional 6-speed manual.

1996 Ferrari F355 Spider

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This is perhaps the rarest and most striking of all F355 Ferrari Spiders. It is the only known Le Mans Blue with a Bordeaux interior in the world in this configuration. The only other known Le Mans Blue with a Bordeaux interior is located in England and it is right and drive and has the terribly slow F1 transmission. This is a classic color combination that was very popular in the 50s and 60s and found on period Ferraris and Maserati.

The typical shrinking leather dash on the F355 was just addressed with thousands spent on new leather. Similarly, the red leather cover for the top is also new. The red leather interior, including the very expensive option of a full red leather dash and matching steering wheel, is in excellent condition as are the beautifully contrasting navy carpets with matching Ferrari original navy floor mats.

A full belt service was just performed in March of 2013 and the Ferrari is running flawlessly. The top was serviced and is working as it should. The top is navy blue. I have known of this car since 2005 when it was for sale in Greenwich CT by Hunting Ridge Motors. (I even have photos from when the dealer offered the car for sale back then.) They sold the car to a gentleman in California. He proceeded to hit the curb with the right rear wheel and cause damage to the front bumper on the lower left side. This bent the lower control arm and the drive shaft. For reasons unknown to me, the owner was paid off and the car then sold at an insurance auction for a very substantial sum several years ago. I attended the auction but was outbid. There was no body damage and no mechanical damage.

The damage was very typical for performance cars that owners often fishtail when applying too much throttle, e.g., bending a lower control arm and damaging a wheel on the right rear. Inspections are welcome. See for yourself how nice a car this is with just 17k miles! And she drives like she has only 17k miles. Tight and solid! The 355 is a great investment. It's the end of the Enzo era inspired cars and they made very few with just over 3k spiders being made for the world. Compare that to the 360 where Ferrari made more than 13,000 of that model! This is the end of the small, svelte go kart like handling Ferraris.

It sounds more like an F1 car than any other Ferrari (except the F1 cars of course). It has 5 valve per cylinder. It is the last of the Ferrari with a manual transmission and a true throttle cable as opposed to indirect drive by wire found in the 360 and later cars. It is the best shifting, best driving true sports car from Ferrari.

The 458 is a sweet ride but it is over $200k, only comes with an automatic transmission, doesn't sound as good as the F355, and arguably as a spider doesn't look as good as the F355. If you are wanting a true classic yet modern Ferrari experience, the F355 is the only car that fits the bill. Fast, fun, sounds great, great to look at, limited production. These cars will only appreciate. Spring is just around the corner. Miss this one and you miss this irreplaceable color combination in a low mileage classic. Manual and tool kit included.

High retail for these F355 Spiders is running in the $65,000 to $75,000 range, so this F355 is priced attractively, especially considering the mileage, transmission and, for me, irresistible color combination. These F355s have aged gracefully and I doubt that they'll sink in value much more. If you have the means, now is the time to snag one.

-Paul

1996 Fiat Coupe 16V Turbo

Fiat was going through a bit of a renaissance in the 1990s, but few folks in the US were aware of this, given the company exited the market in 1982. While the decade didn't start off well, with two top executives in the company arrested for political corruption in 1992, the model lineup saw some characterful new models in the way of the Multipla MPV, Barchetta roadster and this car, the wedge shaped Coupe. Introduced in 1993, this was a departure from the more rounded, organic shapes emerging at the time. The car was penned by Chris Bangle, and the controversial BMW designs to come shine through in this car. Twin cam, four cylinder engines in 1.8 and 2.0 liter form were available, with turbocharging an option on the 2.0 liter engine. There was also a five cylinder engine available, also a 2.0 liter powerplant, that could be had normally aspirated or turbocharged, each engine featuring 20 valves.

This Coupe for sale in Ontario, Canada would more than likely cause headaches if would be US buyers tried to register it in their home state, but for Canadian buyers and those who might find a loophole in US regulations, it's a tempting and rare piece for anyone this side of the Atlantic.

1996 Fiat Coupe 16V Turbo

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1996 Fiat Coupe 16V Turbo. One of a handful privately imported to North America. Currently registered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Qualifies for Hagerty Collector's Car Insurance Program. Premium is less that $200 per year. Perfect condition inside and out.

VIN number is ZFA175000P0029556

Ebay listing does not allow me to enter non North American VINs. See the photo for yourself.

US Buyers: Please check with your local DMV to see what it takes to register this vehicle in your state. I have clear Canadian, Province of Ontario Title in my name which I will provide with the sale. It is up to you to have it registered in your state.
Transport of the vehicle to Niagara Falls / Buffalo, NY US border can be arranged at an additional cost.

I like this Coupe, especially in yellow. It has a very late '90s flair about it and is as visually arresting as some of the most outrageous Ferraris. Given the rarity, the seller is certainly trying to make a mint, as $12,000 for a front-drive coupe from the period with almost 70,000 miles is a bit pricey. But, for someone who wants sharp styling from the house of Pininfarina styling on the cheap and a conversation piece, this is not a bad choice.

-Paul

1996 Alfa Romeo 155 1.7 Twinspark

The Alfa Romeo 155 was never sold in the US, even though it was introduced before the marque's pullout from this market in 1995. Designed as a replacement for the 75, it was based on the Type Three platform which also underpinned the Lancia Dedra and Fiat Tempra and Marea. The 155 was campaigned with great success, winning the Italian Superturismo Championship along with the British, German and Spanish Touring Car Championships. This 155 for sale in North Carolina by an Alfa enthusiast is thought to have been brought here by a service member using the one car importation rule.

1996 Alfa Romeo 155 1.7 Twinspark

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I have owned this car for about 10 years. It has seen very limited use in the past 5. The Alfa 155 won the DTM touring car championship in 1996-This is a great drivers car. This is an Italian Spec Car that was sold by Moto Exotica to me in 2002. Since they had a valid New York Title at the time I am assuming it had come in under the 1 car rule for overseas servicemen. It currently has a valid Maine title and I have been able to register and drive it in NY, Rhode Island, and Maine. You may be required to get a VIN inspection in your state. The VIN listed above is not correct as eBay will not allow me to enter the European 17 digit VIN. This has not been converted to MPH but it does have a stock converter and fuel injection.

Condition: The exterior of the car is in great condition, It has factory Alloys, It has been indoor stored most of it's life. It has been completely repainted after an accident in Rhode Island using the original Sikkins color, The interior shows some sign of use, mostly staining on the drivers and rear seat and some wear on the drivers carpet/ (see pictures). At some point the Momo Steering wheel and shift knob were stolen while it was at the body shop. The wheel has been replaced but needs a horn button and spacer/gaiter. (I also have the stock steering wheel) The radio face was also stolen but I will include a new Sony radio ready to install. Mechanically the car currently runs and drives well, I have just completed about $1,500 worth of work to bring it out of storage including a new fuel pump, rebuilt calipers, new master cylinder and one brake line. The fuel guage seems to have a loose connection which causes the fuel light to go on when the tank is full. The car has a race exhaust: Antara fom Italy as well as a Class 1 hitch, a new Converter. The AC works but need a charge since it has been sitting.

Why I am selling: I truly love this car but my wife hates it. We are both long time Alfa Romeo Enthusiasts with over 15 Alfas between us in the past 25 years. I bought this car after my only brother passed away in 2001 and for 2 years it was my main ride. Being a Front wheel drive car it has a completely different feel than the Spiders, the GTVs, the Berlina, the Sport Sedan, the Giulia Super, the AlfaSud Quadrifoglio, The Milano, Lancia Beta and the 3 Alfa 164s we have owned over the years. It was my sanctuary, the place to go and have fun when the tensions of family life were too much. It is a great car to drive, quick steering/handling, very fast off the line for a 1.7 Liter, incredibly economical (I was getting 30-42 MPG). Then in 2005 I was hit in the side by a driver with no insurance. Luckily I found a sympathetic Body Shop in West Warwick RI that was willing do do the work at cost, Tony at Euro Auto Body and his Italian born father did an incredible job. We sourced all original Alfa parts from England and Italy, original paint etc. The car looked brand new when I got it back.

Unfortunately the cost and attention I was giving to it was driving a very big wedge between my wife and myself. She had long traded her Spider Quadrifoglio, 1974 GTV coupe and her 140 mph Milano for a Honda Pilot. So when it was the main reason for tension between us I moved it to a warehouse and left it there for 4-5 years. This year I brought it back to my Alfa mechanic in maine and had him do what was need to get it back on the road but it now has to go. As long as it sits in my driveway, there will be tension between us.

Gray market imports are never easy to put a value on. This looks like a clean Alfa from the outside but the interior could certainly benefit from some tidying up. The Buy it Now price of $5,200 is a bit above what comparable examples are selling for in Europe. Outside of Alfisti I can't imagine these sedans having a huge following here. Even amongst fans of the marque, these 155s can sometimes be derided for their front-drive handling characteristics. I like the squared off lines and the fact that it was the basis for success in competition makes it all that more desirable.

-Paul

1996 Fiat Barchetta

The Fiat Barchetta is one of those cars that masks its humble mechanicals well. Based on the Mk1 Fiat Punto and equipped with front-wheel drive, this stylish roadster hints about that it is something more special than an Italian supermini. With Fiat's absence in the US market from 1983 through 2011 (barring the Pininfarina Spider and Bertone X1/9), the US never got a chance to sample this affordable open roofed runabout. However, I've seen a couple of these roadsters appear on the market stateside, and here is yet another one in Pennsylvania for sale with a low 36,000 miles on the clock.

1996 Fiat Barchetta

The true sport roadster Europe fell in love with. Looks, runs and feels great! At only 2300 lbs. with 130+ HP and aggressive gearing, brings a grin to your face. FWD. Manual 5-speed transmission. Custom free-flow exhaust system with great sound. Four wheel disc brakes (ABS). Power windows and mirrors. Central locking. Fog lights. 16" Alloy wheels. Front lip spoiler. Rear wind deflector. Two tone seats (black w/charcoal leather inserts). No marks or tears. AM/FM CD MP3 radio (bluetooth ready). Paint: only minor chips or scuffs (rust free). Vinyl top: no rips or tears w/clear rear window. Glass: no chips or scratches. Removable winter hard top with rear window defroster. Vehicle maintenance manual CD, owner manual, radio instructions, sales brochure etc. included. Due to age, car is sold as is with no warranty. OEM 15" steel wheels and in-tact OEM exhaust system available with car.

It's obvious that the big question with this car is how did it get into the country in the first place and how is it legally registered here. It's not wearing dealer tags, so the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation must not have had an issue with registering it. Still, questions of the owner must be asked before going in on a purchase like this. At nearly $18,500, this is rather pricey when you consider what these Barchettas trade hands for in Europe and that a Mazda Miata of a similar vintage could be had for around $5,000 or less. So then, is this the price of unobtanium?

-Paul