another one that will never be brought back...

I think you're being too pessimistic...this can be restored to its former glory.

Someone just needs to buy it, discard the ratty Italian body and interior, and reunite the motor with its original body, and they've got themselves a fine 1979 Chevrolet.

 

I think the problem lies in the massive depreciation that certain cars get hit with, particularly an (arguably) off-color, (arguably) high-mileage Ferrari that also has the financial disadvantages of being saddled with a rear sear and an automatic transmission.

Once the price drops to a certain level, it becomes fair game for clientele who see a domestic small block as the magic shortcut to being perceived as the driver of a fast Ferrari.

 

Wow. The front lenses are so faded orange that they look like clear units from a 412! <grin>

Yeah, I agree, that's sad....then again, the Chevy engine got reunited with the GM transmission.

 

You always have to wonder where the original engine went. Blown up, worn out and not rebuilt, Swapped to another F car.

 

My extra roof came from a guy in Vegas who had done this conversion to several 400s. When I was there, he was using the engine from a GTC/4 to restore a Daytona, a 400 engine in the GTC/4, and a Chevy engine in the 400. Or something like that. I think he had converted other cars, so I wonder if that one is his handiwork. His logic was that rebuilding the 400 engine cost as much as the whole car - a statement which makes a certain amount of sense - but those of us who truly love our cars know it isn't about the money.

 

Depending on which country the car was originally exported to will determine if the lenses were two tone or clear. My 365 GT4 2+2 had clear lenses and were painted on the inside orange to be federalized. Looks like the paint is chipping off in the photo. The more they are modified and cut up the more parts are available for the ones who care and the value also increases for the survivors. Quantity supplied decreases price goes where? For those who stayed awake in Econ. Ha Ha
Rick

 

Its a pitty that these beautiful cars get ugly and converted like this, but it is a very logical choice for a person with a low budget that picked up the car for $10-15k. Think about it, you get the beauty of the Italian car and the dependability and cheap price of American running gear. And I think that this is what really made the Iso Grifo and Pantera so great.

Regardless of the engine swap, though, this car had a very hard life, which is really inexcusable. How do you treat a Ferrari so poorly that it gets to looking like this car??? Leave it in a garage for years, possibly ok, but beat the heck out of it like this without maintaining it, very much not ok.

 

I too find it amazing and sad that a Ferrari can become so neglected. The first owner must have been so proud of it! And probably the next owner or two. To put a Chevy lump in it just rips the heart out of the car and makes it virtually worthless, no matter what the condition of the rest of the car.

 

+1

 

+1

The Euro-American hybrid concept has produced some great cars. Allard, Cobra, AC 428, Facel-Vega, Mangusta, Pantera, Iso, Bizzarini, Gordon-Keeble, Jensen CV8 and Interceptor, TVR Griffith, Sunbeam Tiger, Intermeccanica, Siata - so many good ones. It's very different when the car was designed for its own company's engine, though. It's obviously a tragedy on a Ferrari, but to me, it's almost as upsetting when someone does this to an old Jag.

Somebody sees some value in this car, because it's over 10k and there's still two days to go. Taking into account the last-minute bidding frenzy that usually occurs, this thing could end up costing as much as an intact car. Mine only cost $6600, and yes, the roof was smashed in, but it has its proper Ferrari heart.

 

It sold for $12,700. Incredible.