1975 Ferrari 308 GT4

January 31, 2021 Graham

We're following yesterday's high-mileage Ferrari 456 GT with a high-mileage Ferrari 308 GT4. To make it interesting, we've featured a 308 GT4 with even less collector appeal; this one has a 3.2L V8 from the later Ferrari 328 swapped in placed of its original 3.0L V8.

This is an interesting buy when compared to, say, a CIS-injected 16-valve 1981-1982 Ferrari 308 GTB with only 202 bhp. Styling is subjective - the GT4 is classic Gandini wedge, while the GTB is TV star cool. The nearly 70 hp advantage of this swapped 308 GT4 would be easy to sense by the seat of the pants, and we have to imagine that the acceleration would be startling for a car of this era.

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Ferrari, Pininfarina

1995 Ferrari 456 GT

January 30, 2021 Graham 2 Comments

A high-mileage Ferrari possesses a very narrow appeal, and we would say that the potential buyers fall into two camps. The first camp is after the most car they can get for their money - we get that. Misguided, when it comes to buying a car with extraordinarily expensive repair parts, but understandable.

The other camp, we would say, is pained to see something special go to waste. At this juncture, the featured 1995 Ferrari 456 GT could end up with an enthusiastic new owner, who might tint the taillights, lower the suspension on 19" wheels, cut out the mufflers, and add Ferrari shields to the front fenders. That owner might not put aside the cash necessary for routine maintenance - we've seen listings where this has been the case. Those in the preservation camp are the brave souls who would take on a high-mileage Ferrari and fund the routine and unplanned repairs required to keep the car in its present, outstanding condition.

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Ferrari, Pininfarina

1986 Ferrari 328 GTS

January 24, 2021 Graham

In case you were curious, this is how we at CICFS would spec our 328. It's a GTS, because finding the rare GTB to have a stiffer chassis and slightly better styling would add too much to the purchase price. It's yellow - and here comes the important part - with a brown interior. No bumblebee theme here. That look will forever remind us of 2012 Camaros with Transformer dreams.

Since this blog was started, these cars have nearly doubled in value. We can tell you this because we spent the past two weeks updating over 900 photos and links to get in compliance with eBay's affiliate link program. In 2012, the concern with a 328 GTS was that the service cost would soon overtake the purchase price. Now, it seems more important to get one now before values go up.

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Alfa Romeo, Pininfarina

1995 Alfa Romeo 164Q

January 23, 2021 Graham 2 Comments

Of all of the 164 models, the 164Q seems to fall victim to the most customization. Here we have a dark window tint, Alfa Romeo script on the rear light bar and at the top of the windshield, a custom exhaust, tinted taillights, and yellow foglights. Oh, and the car, originally black, is wrapped in red vinyl. Fortunately, it's all reversible, and it's hopefully the sign of an owner who enjoyed and cared for his car enough to make a few tweaks here and there.

More notable than the mods is the fact that this example doesn't run. The seller doesn't know the exact reason, but suspects that it has something to do with timing. We'd be cautious with starting a 24V car without confirmation of proper cam timing - as long as the valves aren't bent, it could be a pretty simple fix.

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Alfa Romeo, Centro Stile Fiat

1999 Alfa Romeo 146 1.6 Twin Spark

January 3, 2021 Graham

With any brand of automobile, we find that there are always certain models that the enthusiasts just can't seem to embrace. Think along the lines of the BMW X4, for example. In the Alfa Romeo lineup, we would offer the 145 as an example of an unloveable model. And yet, while visiting some Alfa Romeo transaxle car enthusiasts in Germany, we were surprised to find that they were fans and owners of the 145, citing its performance as a daily driver.

These 3-door Alfa hatchbacks were the work of American Chris Bangle during his tenure at Centro Stile Fiat. We see what he was going for, but don't expect one of these to garner compliments at the gas pump. This example is painted in a color similar to BMW's Phoenixgelb, and really doubles down when it comes to acquired taste.

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Alfa Romeo, Bertone

1972 Alfa Romeo GTV 2000

January 2, 2021 Graham

We were fortunate enough to pass by a posse of Alfa Romeos on our daily school bus rides as children. 164s were the most common model in the Alfa Romeo repair shop parking lot, trailed by Spiders of all generations. Our favorite car on the lot was always a Giulia Berlina with a metal roof basket. And, we clearly remember reading the 2000 script on the GTV 2000s.

A 60s design that carried well into the 1970s until Alfa could no longer meet US low-speed impact bumper requirements, the GTV 2000 can be quickly distinguished from earlier models by a few major styling differences. Up front, the horizontal metal grille slats identify the car as a 2000 GTV. Large taillights distinguish it as a later model, as does the lack of step nose up front. Beyond that, you'd have to consult an Alfa expert, as we are sure that many smaller differences exist.

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