18037

yup...i want it.

 

Hey Brett, what's your take on all of that work being done to a car with only 8000 miles. I would think a car with that low mileage would not require as much work as have been done to this car. For example, look at the seats. Why is there velour in the center of the seats?

 

36 years is a long time for paint and leather even if it hasn't been driven very many miles. Unless it has been stored and maintained not just properly but perfectly it probably would need substantial refreshing. Is it possible that the velour on the seat inserts came from the factory?

Certainly all of the engine and transmission seals would need replacing just due to age as well as a host of other things, such as all hoses and belts, the brakes, the seals on anything with liquid in it, and anything else that deteriorates with age. The service history should help provide a little better idea of the life that this car has led but it still is missing the first 11 years since the records only go back to 1985.

And, I know that this might come as a shock to some, but the mileage may not be entirely accurate!

 

hey Jim,
i simply don't believe the km's/milage...it's almost certainly rolled and is 112 000km's...
i'm ok with the mix in the redone upholstery, but i don't think it was ever that way originally.

not too long to wait now Jim...you must be getting pretty excited, eh ?

 

Speedo head replaced with MPH unit when car was imported 8K miles ago.

Regards,

Art S.

 

Okay ladies and gentlemen,

Before anyone attacks me, please understand first that I am a complete motorhead and have a high tolerance for risk. So what might seem ridiculous to some or most is mundane to me. Here's an example, I bought a car wash in rural Iowa once on Ebay (I live in Florida).

So I bought SN# 18037 1974 365GT4 2+2 this past week. I read the comments from when it was offered a few years back here and so far cannot respond to any of those questions because I have not seen the car yet personally. While this likely seems to most or all of you completely ludicrous, it is routine for me. It's certainly not that I don't have an appreciation for the money or that we're independently wealthy. I just have a level of comfort when buying things from pictures, descriptions, and discussions from owners.

So all I ask is that you consider my purchase with an open mind. Please.

I will be happy to share with the forum what the car actually turns out to be like both in physical form, condition, and to what level of expectation it met of mine as I discover more about it. I have a very knowledgeable shop in Ct. picking the car up tomorrow who will report back Tuesday, the basic info any new owner would need to know. For the better or worse. So my question to you all is, what are the more critical things I want to understand about the car? I'm speaking about item specific things to the 365GT4 2+2, not generic automotive systems. I'm comfortable in that realm.

Your thoughts?

 

Controlled storage? Maintained? Miles? Price?
I love mine and I am sure you will too...if it just hasn't been totally "ignored" these last 4 years.

Look forward to your posts/pics, Congrats!

Jack

 

looks as if I will get my car from Brett this year. is that right Brett?

 

Hi
I have a '78 400 that was looked over by a reputable shop in CT and they did a mediocre job digging into the car. Lets assume the odo rolled over on your car.

I'd specifically look into the timing chain and see if its tensioned properly.
Suspension bushings take a beating on these cars.
Rear diff may have too much play in it.
Look out for a weak spark from original ignition components and old copper plugs with incorrect gaps. Use all the tricks like iridium plugs and high output coils to get a good idle and high rpm combustion.
check float bowl height and confirm jetting while cleaning the carbs.

Have fun!

 

many of these cars were driven very little. my RH 400ai has 9,600 miles. 64' QP1 has 25,000, 02 Maserati Spyder, 8,000. two Merak SS, 18,000 ea. I drive less than 1,000 on each. repairs play a factor. takes years to get them totally ironed out. 02 spyder was five years to finish. made one from two. 550(18,000 miles) was a year in process. lots of body work. both turned out beautiful.
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Thanks for the insight fellas. I've owned many cars on both sides of the odometer so no stranger to that stuff. The car has substantial paperwork and service history with it. Should be interesting to track the tickets and see where they lead.

The shop is very well known for high level Ferrari work and I have known them for over 15 years. I'm comfortable that the car is in very capable and good hands.

We'll let you know when it lands Monday! Man, I hate being down here in Florida when the car is up there. Can't wait to have that Half Million $ sound and driving experience for 10 cents on the dollar! That won't last forever so I had to get in now.

 

Really great the way guys that are really into cars are buying these.

 

sent me photos, this is the only before shot I have. when I figure out how to move the others I will post them
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Congratulations !

 

I have a ton of 'before' pics Mitch...and they ain't pretty...but rather than hijack this thread, feel free to start one for your car and i'll post whatever pics you want.

 

Good day Scott,

Indeed, congratulations are your car! Please post pics when you are able!

Cheers,

Sam

 

My big concern is that someone dives in head first realizes that they are in over their head and breaks the car up.

You have purchased a wonderful, complex, expensive to maintain and under-maintained car. If you are not in it for the money and are willing to go underwater financially you've bought a great car.

By the way, is the CT specialist Pollard or Sicard?

Regards,

Art S.

 

are you set on you choice. after looking about and having one bad experience after another and watching results of shops I decided on Brett. I have noticed a strong objection to any negative shop comments. so there are little or no guides.

 

I didn't know if I could post the name without getting in trouble here, since you fellas did I will too. Not trying to promote anyone inappropriately.

F40 Motorsports in Portland, Mike and Wayne have been customers of ours for over 10 years.

I understand all too well about the nature of these cars and all things wheeled or winged. I currently have 2006 Prevost XLII Country Coach we are updating for close to six figures, had one plane, and had a Riva Super Aquarama restored from 2006-2008 which was a $260k job. Hope it's ok to add a link here, they're kind of fun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzfIQ3_I-0c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfO2MLAwMiI

Here's how I look at it. I could have bought a Daytona and it would cost the same or more to service but $700k more to buy! Just the savings on the value of the the $700k makes up for the service cost. $700k x 4% value of money = $28k!! That isn't chump change friends. If the market moves up on these gems I might get my money back but I'm not counting on it. If it doesn't, I'll spend $20k-$40k over several years taking care of her and chalk it up to fun. And I WILL have fun! She won't be a trailer queen guys and gals, we live in Florida.

 

'pun' to start. I started with a $29,000 but. a bad motor and ragged car. so far $80 added. like you I just wanted the car. surprise, this past month one sold in Europe for $325. I just purchased a new set of wheels on e bay. thanks for an alert from Brett. enjoy your toys

 

Wow, she sure is a beaut!!

 

Awesome! Hopefully we'll see it on CCC.

 

I know I'm going to regret asking this, what is CCC?