1973 Lamborghini Espada

March 23, 2014 Graham 1 Comment

When it comes to revolutionary designs in Italian car history, there are plenty to choose from. However, when it comes to controversial and polarizing car designs, few manufacturers manage to embody these traits quite as well as Lamborghini. Spurred on by his rivalry of Ferrari in the early 1960s, Ferruccio Lamborghini went from making cars that were in the mold of Ferraris - the 350 GT - to cars that simply broke the mold. First to emerge was the revolutionary Miura, with its transverse mid-mounted V12 and unbelievable looks. Soon after followed one of the wildest Grand Tourers the world has seen; lesser known than the Miura but sharing some of its otherworldly DNA was the Espada. A more conventional front engine platform meant there was room for two in the back, but that didn't stop the Gandini shape from being unconventional at the same time. Full of ducts, vents and grills in the front, the Espada was all glass in the rear with a rather unique see-through design. It was indescribably cool, and the Espada sold in great numbers as a result with over 1,200 produced. This 1973 model comes from the middle of the production run:

Year: 1973
Model: Espada
Engine: 3.9 liter V12
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: Not Listed
Price: $89,500

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1973 Lamborghini Espada

1973 Lamborghini Espada Series III red with tan interior. 5- speed . Very rare dual air conditioning. This is an excellent original California car. The paint has some blemishes but is mechanically superb. For only $89,500.

While not much mechanical history on this car is offered, it certainly looks like one of the better examples that has come to market recently. It's a great color combination and shows the Gandini design well. Typically these cars have been somewhat neglected in the classic Italian car realm, though the significance of the design is starting to show through; after all, in the past few years we've seen the "Grand Coupe" design reappear at BMW, Mercedes and Audi amongst others. At just shy of $90,000, this car represents pretty accurately the going rate for a series 3 Espada in such condition.

-Carter

Alfa Romeo, Classic

1963 Alfa Romeo 2600 Touring

March 21, 2014 Graham 1 Comment

The past few years have witnessed many of the popular convertibles and roadsters from the 1960s on an upwards pricing spiral. Where once you could perhaps consider classic Porsche cabriolet ownership, for most mortals the idea of forking over well in excess of $100,000 for a clean original 911 and close to $150,000 or more for a 356 is just over the top. W113 Mercedes-Benz SLs, also once a solid value that could be had for well under $50,000, have also pushed upwards so that now you're looking at $60,000 plus for a clean, restored example. And classic Ferraris? As the saying goes, if you have to ask....but if you want a boatload of Italian styling and character, there's still hope. You could, for example, buy this 1963 Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider by Touring:

Year: 1963
Model: 2600 Touring
Engine: 2.6 liter inline-6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 100,012 mi
Price: $99,000

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1962 Alfa Romeo 2600 Touring

1963 ALFA ROMEO 2600 SPIDER

KURT TANNER RESTORATIONS offers for sale, here on Ebay, for your consideration an exceptionally nice 1963 Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider with coachwork by Touring. There were only 2255 examples of these elegant Grand Tourers produced worldwide. This vehicle offered here has a completely original rustfree and accident-free body (amazingly!), and was a California-delivered car from new. It was cosmetically restored approximately 6 years ago and is still presenting extremely well.
Details of the restoration include complete removal of all items such as chromework, glass, interior trim, rubber, etc. The vehicle then underwent a stripdown of the entire underchassis and exterior body panels by shot-blasting, followed by full show-quality bodywork and paint to very high standards. All the body panels display exceptional fit and finish to the car's main body, with beautiful shut lines as original.
The undercarriage was re-undercoated back to original specifications. All chromework/ stainless was replated/ polished and re-installed with new rubber, along with a new windshield and door glass. The complete interior was retrimmed in black. Original style rubber floormats were fitted to the car's interior as well as the trunk with the correct Touring logos. A new, quality, black cloth top was fitted. The steering wheel, dashboard, and instruments all appear in very nice original condition.
The car's mechanicals are in fine fettle. The engine starts easily from cold. Once warmed up and driving along the road, oil pressure registers 55psi at 2500 RPM. There are no unusual noises and the car revs well, with a smooth and quiet exhaust note. It is fitted with the original and rebuilt set of triple Solex sidedraft carburetors. The steering, suspension, and brakes all behave properly. The gearbox shifts very well with no noticeable wear on any of the syncros. The driveline appears to have been detailed during it's restoration as well. It is a very nice car going along the road at speed, effortlessly and quietly cruising in 5th gear...
This vehicle for sale here offers a relatively affordable entry into 60's Italian motoring in an open sportscar. It is presented in the quintessential Alfa Romeo colors, and it's low production ensures that it will be a sound investment in the years to come. This car is located in Southern California and can be viewed by appointment. $99,000 OBO.

KURT TANNER RESTORATIONS. 909-920-9221, work. 909-241-1051, cell.

For anyone that's undertaken a full restoration on a car of this generation, unless you had some devote connection to an unrestored car this is the way to do it - buy one that's done. At $99,000, this car is priced right at the top of the current valuation curve for a condition 1 car, and it should be. It's gorgeous, showing the impressively crisp and yet flowing lines that Carrozzeria Touring created. Squint a bit, and you've got yourself a Ferrari, and frankly most non-enthusiasts (and some poorly informed enthusiasts) would probably think this was a Ferrari at first sight. It's that pretty, and considering where some of the other classic models of the era have gone in pricing, it's a downright deal. It may seem expensive now, but I'd expect we'll see this car's value go up 50-100% over the next decade if the trends continue. They're a rare, very pretty, great sounding Italian roadster, and this one is fully restored and in near perfect condition - could you ask for anything more?

-Carter

Lancia

1977 Lancia Autobianchi A112 Abarth

March 19, 2014 Graham

While the Volkswagen GTi is generally credited with starting the "hot hatch" phenomena of the 1980s, the reality is that long before Volkswagen even started to move towards watercooled, front engined cars there were others that embodied the blueprint of the GTi; lightweight, hunkered down, bigger wheels and more power hatches. Of particular note was one small car produced by the Fiat group - the Autobianchi A112. Turned up a notch by the gurus at Abarth, the A112 Abarth was fitted with a higher output 1.0 inline-4, some neat looking alloys and if you bought a later example, you even got a 5-speed manual transmission. Today there's a nicer example that's lived a traveled life but is now available in the U.S. for sale:

Year: 1977
Model: A112
Engine: 1.0 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 58,566 mi
Price: $17,000

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1977 Lancia Autobianchi A112 Abarth

This is one of the 15 A112 Abarths imported to Norway. I have had this car since 1986, has done 58,566 since new (1977). it has never seen mechanic in its life
in 1991 I changed the air intake to K&N, in 1997 I had painted the car ( Original paint from Lancia / Fiat ) in UK, in 1999 just before I brought it to US I changed the clutch and exhaust ( all Abarth parts )
since I brought it to US I have done about 800 mile with it, it is regestered in NJ, USA since 2003.
Please if you have any questions you can contact me on +1 914 450 2353

EXTERA

- Original front seats
- Original Air intakes
- Original front bumper
- 4, 14" Mini lights wheels from UK about 8 years ago
- Extra side mirror
- New Strut bar from Italia

The naming on these cars is interesting; in some markets they were sold under the Autobianchi name, others utilized Fiat naming and finally some markets got Lancia names. This car looks to be reasonably presented, though there is some rusting that appears in areas and probably needs attention sooner rather than later. The seats also look quite out of place, though the ad states that the original seats are included. On our sister site German Cars For Sale Blog, we've watched quite recently as original examples of the U.S. spec GTi have pushed into the high teens - coincidentally, the asking price of this car, too. Taking into account the rarity of this car, the price could be in line with the top of the market; but I'd be worried longer term about what aspects of the rust need attention and a careful PPI would be in order before forking over $17,000 for this hot Italian hatch.

-Carter

Alfa Romeo

1967 Alfa Romeo Spider Duetto

March 18, 2014 Graham 2 Comments

When you think of the quintessential Italian roadster, more than likely one car comes to mind: the Alfa Romeo Spider. Fortunately, there four generations of the 105/115 Series Spider to choose from that span four decades. So whether you want a classic or something with a bit more modern convenience, there is certainly a Spider model for you. This early Spider Duetto for sale in the Greater Toronto Area is similar to the one Dustin Hoffman made famous in "The Graduate," right down to the color.

Year: 1967
Model: Spider Duetto
Engine: 2.0 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 61,500 miles
Price: $27,500

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1967 Alfa Romeo Spider Duetto

There must have been something in the air in 1967, because it seems that the whole world changed overnight. It was everywhere; in music, theater, social mores, political unrest, technology and, of course, automobiles. The height of the muscle car era was in swing and the Summer of Love was soon to start. Meanwhile, Alfa Romeo introduced its spectacular Duetto Spider and it was noticed by everyone who followed automobile design.
The car features a sharp, razor-like nose, glass-covered headlights, a classic scallop running down the side and a boat-like taper at the rear. It looked sleek, sexy and Italian in every way. Interiors were pure sports car, but luxurious enough to keep the driver comfortable during longer trips. Instrumentation was excellent and the overall feel of the car superb. Driving it was pure fun due to its nimbleness and ease of control.

This beautiful 1967 Alfa Romeo Duetto has been restored from the previous owner in which includes several upgrades. One of the major upgrades done was the braking, which was originally a boost ATE system. The Alfa itself is equipped with an upgraded 2000cc Engine and a fully rebuilt fuel injection system in which was professionally done by WES. The suspension has all new vinyl bushings and the exhaust system is virtually brand new.

MODEL: SPIDER DUETTO
ENGINE: 2000cc /2LITRE
DRIVE TYPE: REAR WHEEL
CYCLIDNERS: FOUR/4
FUEL FEED: FUEL INJECTED
EXTERIOR COLOR: ROSSO RED
INTERIOR COLOR: BLACK/LEATHER
VIN#: AR66279
ODOMETER: 61,500 MILES
STOCK: 8038
PRICE: $27,500.00

Duettos are some of the most valuable of the 105/115 Series Spiders, and this example is no exception. The aftermarket alloy wheels may not be to everyone's taste, but I've seen Minilite style rims on Spiders before and I find the look to be rather fetching. The asking price here is right on the money, considering good Duettos are now reaching well into the $30,000 territory. At this price, you'll be getting not only a style icon but a classic that you can use without guilt.

-Paul

Maserati, Modern Classic, Revisit

1985 Maserati Quattroporte – REVISIT

March 18, 2014 Graham 6 Comments

This 1985 Maserati Quattroporte is one that we featured almost two years ago and is back up for sale in California. Series III Quattroportes are rarely this nice and are a tempting choice for fans of the 1980s who want the utmost in exclusivity.

The below post originally appeared on our site April 20, 2012:

The Maserati Quattroporte was, and is, the individualists choice when it comes to luxury sedans. These cars have always been about sheer style and brashness; about as close as we will ever get to a four door Ferrari. The Quattroporte III's production spanned a decade but little more than 2,000 were ever produced. It's styling set the tone for the next two decades at Maserati while it's V8 engine and abundant use of wood and leather on the inside was classic Maserati. This example for sale in California is very well sorted and has a restrained air in metallic gray.

Year: 1985
Model: Quattroporte
Engine: 4.9 liter V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Mileage: 68,000 miles
Price: Reserve auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1985 Maserati Quattroporte - REVISIT

ORIGINAL low mileage California car in excellent condition. Purchased for roughly $12,000 by me. Note: Shipping to Europe/UK easily arranged and contacts in place. It is very reasonable from CA and I am happy to arrange this for the buyer.

It is an automatic (727 Torqueflight original) and all of the key work needed has been done including a full rebuild of the transmission and much detailed work listed below. Totally renewed stainless exhaust and Cats passing smog for CA. It is also in one of the most attractive color combinations for this car. More pictures can be sent if you email me. This car has always been garaged including after the recent work was done.

This is an EXTREMELY rare car and any in decent shape they are getting rarer. There were 2,143 produced and this is one of 1,806 4.9 L automatics (to put this in perspective over 1m mustangs by year 2 of production and 8 million total!). Ridiculously underpriced in US. Sale in UK recently at 29,000 pounds and nice example in Germany at over 42,000 Euro.

There are not that many left and they are getting rarer. For more details on the model please see http://www.maserati-alfieri.co.uk/alfieri65b.htm or ask me any questions - I will put more details on the model below.

Beautiful and extensively gone through collector owned car for sale. I own 3 of these cars and this one has undergone a lot of recent work and is only being sold only as I am moving forward with 2 other cars and just cannot have 3! Huge amount of time, effort and money spent. I know that I will be unlikely to recoup the funding spent but I do hope that it will go to someone who can continue the process. Car was purchased for about $12,000 and then there was a huge expenditure after this. New parts included!

Here is the report from the Maserati Factory:

Maserati Quattroporte AM330/us*5310* (USA Serial number - ZAMBC1100FA305310)
Produced on January 1985, 4.9 litres, automatic gearbox, external colour "Antracite", interior in "Natural" leather. It was delivered on February 1985 to the Importer "Maserati Automobile Inc." in Baltimore (USA). Here are excerpts from the original ad from when I bought the the car:

1985 Maserati Quattroporte

The Maserati Quattroporte was, and is, the individualists choice when it comes to luxury sedans. These cars have always been about sheer style and brashness; about as close as we will ever get to a four door Ferrari. The Quattroporte III's production spanned a decade but little more than 2,000 were ever produced. It's styling set the tone for the next two decades at Maserati while it's V8 engine and abundant use of wood and leather on the inside was classic Maserati. This example for sale in California is very well sorted and has a restrained air in metallic gray.

1985 Maserati Quattroporte

"Life's Been Good" to this 1985 Maserati Quattroporte...When Joe Walsh stated "My Maserati Does 185"...he had a circa 1962 Maserati 5000GT, capable of at least 170+ mph. All Maserati automobiles equipped with this four camshaft/hemi/V-8, starting with the mid-1950's Maserati 450S race car, through the limited production 5000GT (33 produced) , ending with the Quattroporte (2155 produced) were guaranteed to raise the excitement level. The soundtrack and power delivery of this engine was and is a winner from day one.

This rust free, exceptional & all original 67,959 mile Maserati Quattroporte has had the best of care. Maintenance receipts for over $12,000 and owner's / repair manuals come with the car. There is no doubt previous owner, "Style Icon" Tatiana Sorokko, a Bay Area fashion fixture, enjoyed her days with this car. Paint, chrome, body trim, and leather/wood interior are all in remarkable, near new condition. The photographs are representative of the actual condition of the car.

Drive report: we enlisted a Maserati expert to evaluate the car. He has repaired Maserati cars for 30+ years and reported as follows:

Front suspension and shock absorbers quiet and smooth, no clunks etc. Tire condition excellent with excellent wear pattern.
Rear suspension excellent / rear axle gear quiet - no appreciable backlash.
Brake pad and rotor condition: very good to excellent. Tires are new.
Transmission shifts properly / excellent fluid condition.
Engine condition: notes include very clean carburetors- no damage / stripped screws (very common)
Oil Pressure very high (indicative of low mileage)
Operating temperature proper / electric fan actuation and wiring good
Engine power delivery proper (280 hp all present)
Belts and hoses all at current maintenance level
Gauges / lights and other electrical items worked properly when tested.
Road test shows a top condition, nice driving car.
Originally a $65,000 car in 1985.

When I purchased this car it was in very good original condition and had benefitted by being owned by someone who used it regularly and kept it in very good condition. The undercarriage was immaculate and the car was really in excellent condition. That said it was over described and needed a few things refreshed - many of these are really deferred maintenance issues for a car of this age. In short, it was a really good car but needed some “refreshing”. Basically, the car had not been messed with and I spoke with the earlier owner who had sold it at a cancer charity auction! The company I bought if from owned it a short time and it was over described.

The story of this car will be featured on an upcoming article on Quattroporte IIIs but I will summarize the work done with some estimates of costs:

EXHAUST: New stainless steel exhaust from front to back and four CATS to make it fully CA compliant. NOS headers for the car also to bring the emissions system into full working order as well as the setting up of the original CA emissions system. This required a great deal of work as this year of QP III was not in the CA database but we got it done. (approx $4,000 (parts, labour, shipping, CATS, admin and shop time)

BODY: The body is in excellent condition - a true California car. There were some minor issues.
-All the side lights and turn signal lenses were replaced with NOS from MIE (US Maserati supplier of choice)
There was a dent in the lower side body moulding and a NOS part from MIE was purchased and installed (easy fix)
The headlight surround is a unique part on US cars. I was specifically told by the seller it was undamaged but it was broken and a NOS unit was bought from MIE and the front headlight assembly was removed and replaced.
Paint is excellent and a good color but a small touch up by the left rear light is required along with repair of the rubber on the bumpers which is an easy fix.
Approx $1,000 in parts and labor

SUSPENSION AND BRAKES ETC: - All in good condition and alignment was done on purchase.
Damage to A Frame front suspension due to sellers improper towing (no recourse of course) - Undamaged A frames sourced and shipped and installed
As a matter of course I have purchased tie rod ends and ball joints which should go on the car at a convenient time
New rear shocks (4) have been purchased and are in the trunk ($800)
Fronts are fine but I have a supplier for adjustable shocks for the front end which really transform the car. Not required but something to consider in the future along with the steering rack (under $500)
$2,000 plus in parts and labor

MOTOR AND MOTOR BAY
The car was in great condition but had the standard fixes required and the key money was spent getting this 100%
Complete motor detailing using 100% original Maserati parts
Valve cover gaskets removed and repainted in proper Maserati factory crackle paint
Motor bay detailing including cadmium plating parts.
New original motor decals
New shocks hood lifts for bonnet (hood) and boot (trunk)
New Old Stock replacement fuse box
New battery
Distributor and tune up parts (spark plugs etc)
Full service up to date - fluids, etc
Rebuilding of all 4 carburettors with original kits from MIE
New wiring cavis in original style
NEW PARTS AS NEEDED - oil sending unit etc
MOTOR SET UP - car was taken to STEWARTS in Sacramento for specialist work. They did a lot of work on getting the car running right, rebuilding the carbs, missing carb parts (who knows where they were lost!), vacuum set up). Essentially, their job was to check over the motor and make sure it was working right, safe and set up right. A list of their work is on the bills.
One running issue was caused by a faulty CAT which was replaced on warranty
(Approx $5,000)

INTERIOR -
broken door handles interior x 2 were sourced and rechromed
grab handles replaced with NOS
Interior wood was described as “in remarkable near new condition”. It was a lie - the wood was damaged around the transmission selector and the laquer had turned milky white on the doors and dash. This is a common issue for this car. HOWEVER TO DO IT RIGHT IS IS A DASH OUT JOB. It was done right with the dash out and wood sent to experts and Madera Concepts in CA who did an amazing job and a perfect match on the transmission selector section. I can’t say enough about how well they did - it looks amazing and is show ready.

TRANSMISSION - This was also described as perfect and it was not. It needed a full rebuild but it is the lovely 727 Torqueflight so easy to do. This work has been fully done along with a full rebuild of the starter (why not as it is a Mopar unit and the transmission is out)
(approx. $2,500)

MISCELLANEOUS - too much to mention as all things that were noted by me were fixed as they we noted with new parts. This included wiper blades and covers and a host of small parts etc. NOS jack purchased and in the trunk.
TO DO - A car like this can always be improved and it is in excellent condition. There are probably a couple of areas I would think about looking at in future as noted above. I have assisted with the design of a new set of Ohlins that are made for this car and would be a useful upgrade. The mirrors were done nicely but always a weak spot in this car. I am told that MIE does a new set and it might be worth looking at in due course but these are good. The tires are new but not the Michelin XWXs. I have a set you can buy if you want. I cannot think of anything else needed.

Current status. The car had just finished having the transmission done and is with a relative at his automotive shop in Roseville (Sacramento) CA. Any inspection is welcome and will arrange shipment. I have lots of bills and details that I can send to you also.

Description of QP III
The new Quattroporte III came to the market during the De Tomaso era for Maserati. It was designated 'AM 330 Berlina Quattroporte’ but was quickly known as the Quattroporte III. Although production continued into the Biturbo era the selling mates of the QP III as shown in a brochure package were the Kyalami, Khamsin, Merak 2000/SS

Here is how it was described by Ermanno Cozza:

In spite of its considerable size, Giugiaro's classic styling gave the Quattroporte III the visual concept of strength and speed; a long imposing bonnet, once more housing a V8 engine, sloped down to a large trapezoidal chrome radiator grille adorned with the traditional trident, flanked by pair of twin rectangular headlamps.

Its low wide body, featuring a character line along its flanks, allowed the low roof line to flow gracefully, via the acute angled rear quarter-lights and a full-width slanting rear window, to an ample boot compartment. With the Northern American car regulations in mind, the Quattroporte III was fitted with heavy rubber inset impact-absorbing bumpers, giving the car a solid imposing look. Thanks to its width and roof height, the interior had the atmosphere of 'a living room', without any loss of light or visibility. Make no mistake, this was car was much bigger than it looked!

The interior was comfortable, elegant and functional. The dashboard, trimmed in rich leather with briar-wood veneered panels, housed a large rectangular easy to read instrument panel. The anatomically designed seating was upholstered in 'glove-soft' Italian leather, as were the finishing panels of the velour roof lining. The leather trimmed and wood-veneered centre console, housed the air conditioning controls, radio, gear lever and an armrest which doubled as a lid for the convenient storage compartment. Naturally the car was fitted with air conditioning as standard.

For a detail of this article please see http://www.maserati-alfieri.co.uk/alfieri65b.htm on Enrico’s excellent Maserati web site which is a very useful resource for things QP III.

Of course the car can easily be shipped anywhere at buyers expense and risk.

Originally a $65,000 car in 1985, a Quattroporte such as this would generally sell in the $8,000 to $14,000 range today. Given the car's prominent previous owner, condition and run down by a marque expert, it will more than likely command a value in the upper reaches of that range, provided the right buyer comes along.

-Paul

Fiat

Abarth Racer Heaven: 1962 and 1963 1000GTs

March 17, 2014 Graham 2 Comments

On our sister site, German Cars For Sale Blog, we do a weekly feature called "Motorsports Monday" in which we cover some sort of track, road race or rally prepared German vehicle. But while the Germans have a strong history in motorsports, the Italians are right there with them. Indeed, Fiat, Lancia and Alfa Romeo was racing some of the earliest German sports cars well back before World War II, and it's the reputation of manufacturers Fiat, Lancia, Ferrari and more recently Lamborghini in racing that have helped to build their loyal customer base. But even more recent to pop back up in the market was the name Abarth; though relatively unknown in the United States, Abarth has been producing some of the hottest small Italian cars for decades; modifying everything from Fiats and Lancias right through Porsches. Today I have two race-bred, Fiat powered 1000GT Coupes to cover, both with impressive resumes and in even more impressive condition. Let's start with the 1962:

Year: 1962
Model: 1000GT
Engine: 1.0 liter inline-4
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Mileage: Not Listed
Price: Reserve Auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1962 Abarth 1000GT

PLEASE read all of the listing.

If you have any questions, please inquire.

Some bidders are not seeing all the photos. I use my own photo service so they are larger and shown below. Please scroll all the way down.

Description: 1962 Abarth 1000GT Bi-Albero (twin cam) round tail, serial number 112798, ex Briggs Cunningham team car, 2nd in the 1962 Sebring race driven by Walt Hansgen, extremely original and extensively documented. This car and the two other Abarths I am listing are in immaculate and professionally restored condition, very correct and in perfect working order. We invite any seriously interested party to view the car in person, it is located in Nashua, NH, USA. For any further questions or my telephone number please feel free to contact me via e-mail. The reserve will not be disclosed but is realistic for this rare, beautiful and important car..

Has clear NH title. Sold as is as seen with no warranties expressed or implied.

$2000.00 deposit required within 24 hours of winning bid and balance thru bank transfer or at time of pickup as long as funds clear. Buyer responsible for shipping but we can help with logistics. Will ship world wide.

If you didn't know or follow racing, Sebring 12 hours was this past weekend; and while there were no Abarths in the field they were a staple of late 1950s, early 1960s sports car racing. Another name that was equally famous, if not more so in the United States, was that of Briggs Cunningham - he pioneered racing not only here but in Europe as well, taking his custom made Cunninghams to Le Mans amongst other races. The connection shows in the white with blue stripe Cunningham colors, a testament to the American connection - those are the racing colors of the United States. As a professionally restored original race car, it's absolutely beautiful and carries the requisite Abarth trunk open shape; a characteristic that was uniquely solved by Bertone in 1963:

If the 1962 above is a neat car, the 1963 is both neat and pretty. The sloping rear deckline is a much more attractive solution to getting the hot air out of the engine bay. As with the 1962, this car's condition is impressively restored and it also carries an impressive race history:

Year: 1963
Model: 1000GT
Engine: 1.0 liter inline-4
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Mileage: Not Listed
Price: Reserve Auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1963 Abarth 1000GT

PLEASE read all of the listing.

If you have any questions, please inquire.

Some bidders are not seeing all the photos. I use my own photo service so they are larger and shown below. Please scroll all the way down.

Description: 1963 Abarth 1000GT Bi-Albero (twin cam) duck tail, serial number 129-0247, very successfully campaigned Bi-Albero (Enna, Monza, G.P. of Garda/Salo, Trento-Bondone, etc. etc.) by Gianfranco Rovetta. This Abarth is also in perfect working order and has been restored to its original 1963 factory color and specifications.This and the two other Abarths I am listing are in professionally restored condition, very original and in perfect working order. The after market wood steering wheel visible in the photo has meanwhile been replaced with a correct and original 3 spoke Abarth wheel and horn button like the one visible in the 1962 1000GT Bi-Albero. We invite any seriously interested party to view the car in person, it is located in Nashua, NH, USA. For any further questions or my telephone number please feel free to contact me via e-mail. The reserve will not be disclosed but it is realistic for this rare, beautiful and important car.

Has clear NH title. Sold as is as seen with no warranties expressed or implied.

$2000.00 deposit required within 24 hours of winning bid and balance thru bank transfer or at time of pickup as long as funds clear. Buyer responsible for shipping but we can help with logistics. Will ship world wide.

Either of these cars would be very welcome at both shows and on the Vintage race circuit, where their unique bubble profiles stand out a bit from the traditional 1960s cars. Value on these cars, due to their top condition and histories, will likely far exceed the normal top of the market on these around $60,000 - but that's still well short of the current 356 factory racer market, for what it's worth, where correct original Porsche race cars can easily pop into the millions. As such, these Abarths offer similar experiences and a unique bit of history, along with a boatload of character for a relative bargain. Plus, they're just super cool.

-Carter

Ferrari

1980 Ferrari 512BB

March 14, 2014 Graham

When it comes to magical moments in your life, as an automobile enthusiast there are few moments that exceed seeing your first Ferrari. For me, that was when I was quite young - about 5 years old, and a friend of my father had a very lightly used purple 512BB. I don't remember much in terms of details about anything else than walking up to that incredibly wide Ferrari, full of vents, ducts and lots of exhaust pipes. And the wheels! The wheels were so wide. To me, having gotten out of a Toyota Corolla, it might as well have been a spaceship.

And it needed to be a spaceship, because Ferrari was decidedly behind the times in the 1970s. The Daytona was an incredible car, there was no doubt; but compared to the Miura, the Daytona seemed like it was a dinosaur. Ferrari's response was to take the heart and soul of the Daytona, combine it with some lessons learned in the Dino, and make a Miura fighter. It wasn't just a response to the Miura though, it was a Miura beater. The two had similar engine outputs, but the 365 GT4/BB was just downright faster. Faster to 60, faster outright at nearly 190mph. The 365 GT4/BB was later replaced by the 512BB and later the 512BBi with their larger 4.9 flat-12s and remained the big dogs into the 1980s; the Lamborghinis may have sold more posters, but if you actually wanted a driver, you wanted the Ferrari. A few decades later, seeing a 512 still gives me goosebumps and while the Testarossa may have embodied Ferrari in the 1980s, it's still the 512BB that occupies my mind:

Year: 1980
Model: 512BB
Engine: 4.9 liter Flat-12
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 25,001 mi
Price: Reserve auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1980 Ferrari 512BB

1980 Ferrari 512 BB. Only 25,000 klms from new. This is a car that was brought to Canada after being sold new in Switzerland, then going to the UK for a couple years. Being a Canadian car, it did not have to go through the DOT certification that the cars had to do when being imported into the United States. This means that the doors were not cut open to allow the addition of cross members for side impact crashes, as well as various additions under the front clamshell. It makes this car more desirable that the average US car that is available on the market today. Its also a 512 that has never been involved in an accident, has the rare original bumpers, and has had a complete engine rebuild three years ago by Canada's leading 512 BB expert. The transmission was also freshened up at this time. Total invoices add up close to $80,000 for all this work. Have a look at the engine photos, and you will see the detail and the newness in them. Anyone that has been watching these cars know that this model Ferrari is more than likely the next one to rapidly increase like the others have done. Limited production numbers (929 carbureted cars) always dictate which ones become super investments for the future. There is a Ferrari 512 BB running this weekend at the Amelia Island Auction in Florida, and for those who doubt the future value of this car, watch for the results of that auction. This car is not a distress sale, but it will be sold. The last one I had last summer sold to the first person that came to see it. Don't let this one pass you by if your looking for an investment car. I would expect the price to double on these in the next 10 to 15 years. This vehicle is avail for inspection (which I encourage) at anytime. If you fly into Buffalo NY, I will pick you up and bring you back to the airport when your finished viewing. I have the spare tire, just removed it to charge the battery.

With $80,000 in maintenance, you have a bit of an idea of the value of these cars. They're not the cheap Ferraris to get, by any means. Forgotten for a while in favor of newer and older models, the 365 and 512s have been on the rise, especially top condition models like this. A desirable Euro-spec car but also all-original, it's rare to see them in this condition. Hagerty values top condition 512s at just shy of $160,000 - still far short of the Daytona and on par with the top condition GTC/4s. This car is already there with the reserve still on, but this car is from a different generation than the Daytona and if you're smart you could pick this car up and watch it appreciate over the next few years. Just, please make sure that your friend's 5 year old can stare at it up close for a while...

-Carter

Ferrari

1975 Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2

March 12, 2014 Graham

Following in my "Budget Ferrari" Dino post from the other day, here's another opportunity to get into a real budget car. A few years ago, if you wanted a budget Daytona, you got a 365 GTC/4. They could be had for under $100,000 and offered a pretty close copy of the Daytona with a touch more practicality. Heck, even in their own was the GTC/4 was a very pretty car. But the GTC/4 only lasted for a year, and it was replaced by the longest running body design of any Ferrari. Styled by Pininfarina, the 1972 Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2 introduced new design language that would be shared on Ferraris through the 355. But while the rakish 2+2 took the body in an entirely new direction, underneath it was still effectively a Daytona. While a Daytona will set you back the best part of a 1/2 million dollars these days, and the GTC/4 prices are pushing towards $150,000 for an average example, the 2+2 can be had for well under $50,000. It's also nearly a forgotten car these days, but was important to Ferrari as their 2+2 staple from 1972 all the way to 1989 in later 400 then 412 versions. But the 365 started it all, and this is one of the better examples that has come up to market recently:

Year: 1975
Model: 365 GT4 2+2
Engine: 4.4 liter V12
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 38,000 mi
Price: Reserve auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1975 Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2

Here we have today an incredible 1975 ferrari 365GT4 2+2 ,ONLY ONE OWNER since new,this car was bought by his owner in june 1975 and was always stored in the same collection,in a dry garage,sitting side alfa's and others italian icons;this car is in stunning condition and i never seen a ferrari in this condition,the car is absolutely in perfect condition; NEVER RESTORED or REPAINTED..................the last owner has a mechanic at home and taked care of all cars of his collection and this car was started every week ,to be keeping in good using condition;

theses cars were unloved during a long time and now,there are growing up in value like all maserati and ferrari of this era,this is the time to buy this car and you can not found a better exemple actually on the market

the car has formely 53900 originals kms,and was just serviced with fluids and filters remplaced ,new battery,;personal inspection welcome,you can not be disappointed by the car

IF YOU LIKE THIS MODEL, THIS IS THE ONE you have to bought,of course the paint is perfect,no dings or scratchs,floor and underframe are perfect,ever the bumpers are perfect too; the leather original interior is in very good condition and smells good ,carpets are in excellent condition;

this car is viewing by appointment in my office,in Domont,france;20 kms from paris and aeroport charles de gaulle;you can come to inspect it ,you will enjoy it;of course there is no warranty on the car because of his age,;

internationals bidders are welcome and i can assist in shipping ,i can deliver the car to le havre port for free,overseas shipping at your own expense;

selling classic cars is my job,and bidding is not a joke,please do it seriously,have a look at my feedback,you will not be disappointed; i sold cars in all over the world for 10 years and i want to preserve my positive feedback;

when was the last time you found a one owner ferrari 365???? dont let your chance go away .....

a $1000 deposit will be required at the end of auction and balance will be required within 2 weeks...,if you have any questions ,please ask before bidding

good luck

If you're not as concerned with how people will view you and would rather have a taste of that Columbo V12 experience that made the Daytona and GTC/4 so special, this is a pretty similar car inside and underneath. It's rather funny, actually, that you can buy one of these for less than a replacement motor for a Daytona. I'm also surprised that these haven't all fallen victim to rebody efforts. Miles are lower, the color is pretty and understated, and it was apparently lovingly kept by a single owner. In terms of budget supercars, they don't get much more budget than this. Granted, it's not the best looking Ferrari ever made by any stretch of the imagination; but it has its own charm in the unloved child sort of way. I'd expect the reserve is set quite high for this model, towards the high side of the market which just brushes $60,000. Still, it's downright cheap compared to its siblings and offers a unique glimpse at classic Ferrari ownership.

-Carter

Fiat

1967 Fiat Dino

March 8, 2014 Graham 1 Comment

When it comes to Italian cars, Ferrari still captivates the imaginations of enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts alike. Seemingly synonymous with being Italian, the red cars from Maranello have created a legend in an of themselves. In recent years, even cars that are more loosely related or which traditionally weren't considered "true" Ferraris have experienced a surge in pricing, lifting them out of the reach of most enthusiasts who want to experience a taste of that Italian emotion in engineering. For example, the lowly Dino - a car not considered worthy enough to carry the Ferrari name for some time - has recently surpassed pricing of many of its more powerful and traditionally more desirable V12 brethren; if you want to get into a 1967 Dino 206GT these days, you better have at least $300,000 on hand for a decent example.

What's perhaps even more amazing is that one of the cars that shares the Dinos underpinnings - the Lancia Stratos - is even more expensive. For a decent Stratos these days, plan on freeing up about $400,000. But there is one more car that shared that Ferrari DNA, and it's not nearly as expensive as its slinky cousins; the Fiat Dino. Indeed, it was the Fiat that allowed both the Ferrari version and the Stratos to be created later, and was the development platform for the 2.0 V6 engine that was also used in Formula 2 racing. Available in either coupe or convertible, it was a handsomely styled GT by Bertone in Coupe version, like today's example:

Year: 1967
Model: Dino
Engine: 2.0 liter V6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 105,215 (?) km (~ 65,377 mi)
Price: Reserve auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1967 Fiat Dino

1967 Fiat Dino finished in Red over Black interior. This RARE 1967 early 2.0 Liter V6 had a full restoration completed in late 2008. A no expense spared restoration produced this stunning vehicle. It sits on R Cromodora alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli P3000 tires. A Blaupunkt cassette Stereo. Highly optioned from the factory with such things as RARE full power windows. The interior was re-wrapped in period correct leather and shows well. A full mechanical re-build took place as well, with less than 500 miles on the total restoration since completed. Fully service and ready to go to its new home. An investment vehicle that is ONLY on the upward swing.

1967 FIAT Dino finished in Red over Black interior. Fiat introduced its 2-liter Dino at the 1966 Turin Motor Show, a collaboration between the giant Italian automaker and its chic counterpart, Ferrari. A smart-looking 2+2 coupe designed by Bertone. The name is derived from Enzo Ferrari's son Alfredo, nicknamed Dino, who collaborated in the mid-1950s with the legendary engineer Vittorio Jano on a lightweight aluminum V6. A decade later, Ferrari planned to use this engine to power its F2 race cars. Homologation was necessary, however, and Fiat, with its mass-production capabilities, was a natural fit to get the engine into as many cars as such homologation required, in this case 500. A Ferrari powerplant couldn't just be shoved into any old Fiat so the Dino was produced.The entities enlisted Bertone, who was responsible for the coupe. The body styles are uniquely proportioned, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive cars. The coupe’s reception was favorable as it fit its skin a bit better thanks to its increased 2+2 wheelbase.The coupe featured luxuries like power windows, split folding rear seats, and rear window breathers that opened automatically depending on the car's speed. It also featured a lovely wood dash with big gauges and nifty switches, and a supple leather interior. The massaged, road-going 2.0-liter V6 delivered 160 hp and was mated to a Ferrari 5-speed transmission. It was the same power plant that Ferrari employed in its own mid-engined 206 Dino GT. These cars were lauded in period for their performance, especially as they were essentially Ferraris underneath, but at a fraction of the cost. Dino production ceased in June 1972. In all, ONLY 3,670 2.0 coupes were produced in its life time. Rust has claimed many cars, and these days they are a rare sight!! But when you consider the Ferrari DNA that runs through them, these Fiats are serious contenders as economical exotics.

If they were a budget Ferrari back when they were new, they're even moreso today. The convertibles - styled by Pininfarina - are generally considered more desirable, as are the later run 2.4 cars that were assembled in Maranello. Despite this then being the least desirable of the lot, this none-the-less looks like a spectacular example. I'd prefer tan leather to this version's black interior, but it's well presented and looks nice. The same can be said for the red exterior, which is classic Italian in shade but wouldn't be my first choice. This car has undergone a recent restoration which should take most of the guesswork out of ownership if it was done properly, and buying one that's done is certainly cheaper than attempting to buy a bad example and doing it yourself. Despite that, the pricing of this example is absolute top of the market for 2.0 Dino Coupes; Hagerty places a condition 1 show car at around $46,000 right now, and even then that's taking into account the recent spike in prices on these cars. Like the Dino and Stratos cousins, these cars are on the upswing and are likely being pulled upwards by their rare cousins. Does that make this car a good deal? Well, in relation to the others it's at least a car you could buy and enjoy driving without worrying that someone would crash into you trying to take a picture and ruin the value. It's an understated but pretty GT which offers all of that Italian emotion and design in a package that can still be grabbed by mere mortals. For that, we're thankful!

-Carter

Alfa Romeo

1985 Alfa Romeo 6 2.5 Turbo Diesel

February 24, 2014 Graham 1 Comment

Mention Alfa Romeo and turbodiesel next to each other and you could be forgiven for thinking this was an odd marriage. Or a marriage that never even existed at all. Before their recent JTD models, Alfa dabbled with oil burners back in the 1980s with their large saloon, the Alfa 6. Not sold in the US market, this sedan was based on a stretched Alfetta platform and offered a VM built five cylinder turbodiesel engine. It wasn’t a barnstormer, but brought Alfa into the game at a time when ever increasing petrol prices were putting the squeeze on European consumers. Want to have something no one else does stateside? Here’s your chance to buy a real uncommon piece.

Year: 1985
Model: 6 2.5 Turbo Diesel
Engine: 2.5 liter turbocharged inline-5 diesel
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 105,215 (?) km (~ 65,377 mi)
Price: Reserve auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1985 Alfa Romeo 6 2.5 Turbo Diesel

This is a 1985 model. eBay will not accept a European VIN for anything newer than 1980.

I love and collect cars; mainly Mercedes Benz and Audis, but I always had a weak spot for unique Alfa Romeos. The Alfa Sei (6) was Alfa Romeo's flagship luxury car, built between 1979 and 1985. Until 1982 only with a carburated 2.5 liter V6 and from 1983 until 1985 as the face-lifted 2nd series with a carburated 2.0 or fuel-injected 2.5 liter V6. Additionally Alfa Romeo built 2730 Alfa 6s with the VM Inline 5 cylinder Turbodiesel with 107 hp and 205 Nm torque @ 2400 rpm. They only came equipped with a 5 speed transmission. Mine has VIN 3699. After that only 31 more TDs were built plus a couple of limited editions with the light blue leather interior.

Alfa Romeo had a few 1979 models certified for the USA, but gave up the plan of importing them. Only very few Alfa 6s were privately imported and as far as I know there is no other Turbodiesel in the country. I had my eye on an Alfa 6 for many years and finally in 2005 while vacationing in Germany I saw this one advertised in Rome, Italy. I had to act fast and with the help of my German friend we had it shipped up to his shop in Southern Germany. It stayed there for a couple of years, received a complete maintenance with new tires and a couple of panels had to be painted because the paint had faded.

Eventually it was shipped to the USA and titled on a collector plate in Washington State. Since it is a Diesel and smog exempt in most, if not all states, it can even be registered in California. Odometer has only 5 digits and shows 05215 kilometers. Judging from the condition and tightness of the car it could be 105215 kilometers. That's also what the previous Italian owner told us. I do not have any paperwork to proof it.

The mostly original paint is still very shiny with a few touched up areas mainly on the trunk. Living most of its life in Rome, Italy it has a few small dings and the rear bumper is pushed in a bit. The interior is very clean without rips or stains. There is very little surface rust forming on a inside rocker panel and around the rear window which is visible on two of the pictures. It has not gotten any worse since 2005 even though the car was sitting outside in Germany. There is absolutely no rust underneath the car.

Even after sitting for a few weeks the car starts effortlessly on the first try. The transmission shifts without any grinding and the clutch is firm and not slipping. The brakes are good without any pulsating. Tires have approx. 4.000 kilometers. The car has a very firm and stable ride and can easily keep up with the 85 mph traffic on LA's freeways.

All lights and instruments work fine. Even the clock shows the proper time. It takes the tachometer a few minutes of driving before it starts working. The two front power windows work fine, the left rear is very slow and I never could get the right rear to work. The power antenna goes up and down properly but the old stereo does not want to play anymore.

The A/C was charged with R12 4 years ago and still blows ice cold, but because the cabin fan quit, cold air only comes in while the car is driving and the vents are open. I will include a spare fan and that should solve this problem. We took the car to the Concorso Italiano in Monterey in 2010 and had a blast driving it up there. The fuel mileage was about 33mpg. We did not have any problems with the car on this and many more trips.

Lots of people looked at our car and very seasoned Alfisti told us that they never saw one before. Even the Alfa Romeo museum in Arese does not have a Turbodiesel in their collection. Parts can be found in Europe, mainly in Italy. The VM engine was also used in Jeeps, Landrovers and Chrysler Minivans in Europe. I will include a repair manual in German. The car has a clean transferable WA title and a WA collector plate.

Since it is a 29 year old car there is no warranty expressed or implied. I will gladly help with shipping within the USA or overseas.

Even in Europe, the 6 is a rare Alfa. I've never seen one on my travels there. Most buyers of the marque tend to lean towards the sportier offerings and bypass the luxury sedans, especially one with a diesel engine. But, imagine the looks at the next Alfa meet when you turn up in this thing. If the Peugeot 505 or Saab 9000 seem a bit too common, your car has arrived.

-Paul