I also checked this GTB here in Austin. Did you do a PPI with David Moore? I am curious how were the results? I decided to hold off for a 88/89 Black GTS, but the GTB sure is awesome.
The car is very good overall...I think a diamond in the rough so to speak. I bought it very cheap knowing that I would have to do major service on the car. I guess you caught the current owner too early in the sale process - he was realistic on price when I vsited him. I did not have David do a PPI - its my 8th Ferrari and between my inspection and reviewing the records which go back to the original purchase I think I have a good idea what I bought. I also know the first two owners so I was able to talk with them at length and get the history on the car since birth. The current owner just didn't know much about Ferraris. The body is in excellent condition. The paint, after a good buffing out is excellent and does not have thin spots as you noted, someone knew what they were doing on the paint. The interior is now stripped out for full reconditioning. While dirty it is in overall good shape - no cracks, cuts, etc. The car runs very strong mechannically but its scheduled do what I estimate to be $8k-$10k worth of engine work and of course replace those terrible tires on the car! And oh, after $75 bucks and a couple of new struts the stick to hold the engine compartment open is gone! I hope to introduce it to the Austin community in about 6 months. Thanks for asking. I am having great fun with is as a project. ps: I didn't pay anything near the "buy it now"...the car was not worth anthing even close to that.
Thanks Mike. I love my 575 but there is something about working the old gate shift with an engine roaring behind your head that is really Ferrari. The car has a Konig performance exhaust and sounds really good. It's also fun to own one cheap enough that you feel ok about working on it a bit yourself. I couldn't ever see me ripping out my 575 interior!
It's inspiring to me... I just drove my friend's 550 a few weeks ago and after feeling all that horsepower, I didn't know if a 308/328 would satisfy me anymore. If you can have fun in a 328 after having a 575 for a while, then I'm sure I could still have a lot of fun in a 308. A 550 is WAY out of my price range.
They all have different personalities but I can tell you that the 328, and I would guess the 308, are very fun cars to drive. You sit much closer to the road and I would guess that this adds to the sensation of speed. In fact, I would say the 328 is more fun than the 348. I owned a beautiful 348 several years back. Of course the acceleration is nothing like a 360 or 430. But the maintenance on the 308/328 isn't near as bad as many of them, although still not for the faint hearted! If there was such a thing as a "cheap" Ferrari, this is it.
Well said.....congrats! My 308GTB will try to make the Art Car parade this year, in Austin..... Keep Austin Weird!
oh my god...the eco natzis are going to love the carbon footprint you make in that parade! Ferrari really is beautiful art so it will be a real love-hate situation...love the art but hate the footprint. Maybe I'll bring my 575 too but I'm going to be sure an stuff it full of grocery store plastic bags before hand and give them out as party favors...only the Austin Fchatters will appreciate that one!
h00kem, thanks for sharing. I am glad that this GTB stayed here locally in Austin. We need to have more in town. I just wished that roads were better. Although, downtown is going through a complete revitalization with the new highrises and all, the roads are still in terrible shape. Are you doing the work yourself? If you can, share pics on the progress. Its always enjoyable to see the before and after. Congratulations on your GTB!!! It sure is a hard one to come by. Definitely a diamond, just needed some who knows how to care for this type of vehicle.
I will farm out the engine work but I am going to do the interior myself. Will try to remember to take some pictures as I go and post. Thanks for all the help guys, it is much appreciated!
