My First Ferrari

I've finally purchased my first Ferrari after 35 years of wanting one. A much neglected 1981 308 GTSi appeared in Craigslist and I went to see it. 46K miles, not running, body in rough shape with lower doors rusty and a few dents and dings. Wanting to save this car from this guy before it was ruined and wondering what I was getting myself into I made an offer to the guy that was about $5K under what he was asking. He said no he would fix it up and get his price. I said my offer stands if he should change his mind. Well, two weeks later I get a call and he asked if the offer was still good and I said yes. Towed the car to the house and after a new fuel pump and two fuel filters it runs, if not a bit rich. California emissions said my HC and CO were too high, NOx okay so I called my longtime best friend, Massimo Mondino at TheAutoLegend in Tampa and he guided me over the phone to get the mixture leaner. So car has now passed and I have it back on the road. Next up is body restoration and 30K service since I do not know what the previous owner did and did not do. If you can see in the interior picture the PO installed a custome center console with an Alpine and Kenwood sound system and Alpine 8101 alarm which I do not know how to operate. It may all have to come out and be re-done.

I hope to get this one back to great shape and step up to a 355 someday.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Thanks. I like the color also and the wheels are Hiyashi Racing 16's. Glad you like them. They are growing on me.

Yes the phone is dated. I will be removing it and hopefully restoring it with the ashtray.

Mixed feeling on what to do with the center console. The previous owner was pretty proud of it. But obviously not the rest of the car.

I will post pics of the progress when it goes to paint.

 

Thanks,

I just had it at a shop getting the paint quoted and the owner said all of the young guys really liked the car and its dated Alpine stereo and Okia phone set up. It is 'period correct' and I will probably leave it "as is as" soon as I find out all of the codes that will allow me to operate the systems again. I haven't really wanted to listen to the radio since I bought it anyway.

 

Thanks for noticing my other project. I have diverse tastes. You can't see the other one, a 74 914. I like them all for different reasons and they're all a blast to drive. But the 308's the best.

 

I appreciate the encouragement. I like it because the color is a bit more subtle and kinda stealth. I really do want a red or yellow one some day though.