Hello. I am new to this forum and new to the world of Ferrari's. I am looking at purchasing a '78 308 GTB that is located in LA. Any recommendations on who could complete a reliable PPI on this vehicle for me? Thanks in advance.
Thanks Chris, much appreciated. One question I have about this car (it's a '78) is made apparent in this photo: This car appears to be missing a valence panel in the rear, beneath the bumper. Am I correct in saying this? Is this one piece that's missing or several? Does the missing piece(s) run the full width of the car? Looking at photos of various years of 308s, they seem to differ from year to year with respect to the nature of this panel. Also the rocker panels are blacked out. How common is this and is this a potential for concern? Thought I'd get briefed on this before putting these questions to the vendor. Thanks in advance
Not sure what's up with the area below the bumper. On my car there is body color trim that wraps around from the side and dies into the black "diaper". But I have an '84 and details may be different in other years. The black rocker panels are very typical - there is a thread somewhere with a long discussion about when they were black and when they were body colored. One theory ( if I recall correctly) was that it depended on whether the car had a shallower us front spoiler or the the deeper euro spoiler with the euro spoiler cars having body color lower panels since they aligned with the bottom of the spoiler.
Thanks again Chris. I found the earlier thread that discusses the subject of black rocker panels versus body colour rocker panels here: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=371442&highlight=painted+rocker+panels
Here for comparison is the rear end of Curtisc63's US Spec '77 GTB with the body colour valence panel below the bumper clearly in place
Nice car there. Looks like someone got black happy. At least they did not black out the radiator vents. My opinion, 82 and earlier the rockers should be body color until where the sheet metal turns and faces the ground.. The pic of the car you are considering appears to be a US market GTB. The other car you referenced is either an Euro or has received the Euro treatment. Different setup. The car you are looking to purchase should have body color lower glass valences behind the rear wheels with louver black vents facing the ground, and a black heat shield over the exhaust...aka the diaper. Your valences are blacked out beneath the rear bumper...but appear to be there. Play with your contrast on your monitor, and you should she them. Otherwise, looks like a nice example. I didnt see anything that put me off. Go see her up close. Photos can be hard to judge. Looks like one that is worth the effort.
'77US and '78US are quite different in this area (they added the diaper in '78 when they added cats). Not sure if anything is missing -- per John's comments that some areas (normally body colored) are painted black and just are in shadow under the bumper in that photo. (Not a great photo), but here's the back of a stock '78 US 308GTS showing the local structure: Image Unavailable, Please Login The stock '78-'79 US B/S muffler has quite a "thickness" -- so the diaper extends above and below the tailpipe plane: Image Unavailable, Please Login
Thanks John/Steve I detect what might be some black out portions of the rear valence that I initially didn't see. Is this what a '78 US spec 308 GTB is supposed to look like? http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/9882/screenshot20121224at122.png
The body-colored rectangular openings under the RH and LH side of the bumper are correct (and may be painted black on that giallo example), but that looks like some sort of (smaller/half-section?) homemade diaper (and aftermarket muffler) on this red one.
The yellow car is a non cat model with the smaller grill. The red car is the later one with cats but on this car the diaper is not in place.
Based on the side marker lights, I am assuming that the car I am looking at ('78 giallo) is a US spec vehicle. Were there US spec models that came without catalytic converters in '78?
Here is the ebay link. Looks real nice. I hope the purchase works out for you. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ferrari-308-GTB-1978-Ferrari-308-GTB-Coupe-Classic-Sports-Car-Automobile-/390512297636?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item5aec58c6a4#ht_3231wt_968
The engine bay configuration confirms that it is a 1978 US version with (surprisingly) most of the emission equipment still intact.
Brent I recently purchased a 308 from overseas without seeing the vehicle and decided to pay a local ferrari dealer/service centre that was close to the subject car to pick it up and take a look at it instead of a company or person who does ppi inspections specifically, basically this way i knew that they would know what they are looking at for a start and give me an unbiased opinion on its condition.
Thanks Sean. That's what I am planning on doing, and have been given the names of two local Ferrari shops. I still need to determine whether this car merits an inspection, as the dealer seems to be unable to answer the simplest of questions. It would be nice if I could get a forum member to lay their eyes on this car at the dealer and I'd be happy to pay someone their gas and time to do so. The dealer is in Sherman Oaks. My preference is to visually inspect a car first and if it passes muster negotiate a purchase price and make the purchase subject to a favorable inspection and then do a thorough inspection, compression test and all.
Sounds like a good plan Brent, IMO the dealers reaction to the first offer is always a good indication of the condition of the vehicle, ie if its a great car they may not be too keen on moving much from the price, or alternatively if its a poor car they might seem over keen to drop the price. The dealer selling my car was very reluctant to move much on the price and very happy to allow another ferrari dealer locally pick it up and do a PPI, this gave me great confidence it was going to be a good car, and it is. Good luck.
Brent, I happen to be staying with relatives this week in Sherman Oaks. I recently purchased a 79 GTS from Southern Ca and am in the process of learning as much as I can about these great cars. My brother-in-law recently retired from the movie business as a transportation manager and is familiar with this dealership. He and I could pop over and give the car a look over. What are your concerns regarding the car?
Hey Fernankr, that would be great if you could stop by for a look-see! The person I have been dealing with is Alan. The dealer's address is 14961 Ventura Blvd Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 and the phone is 818-907-1770 I have mixed feelings about this car given it was sourced from an auction, hence the dealer knows nothing about the car's history (eg previous owners, their locations, service history, possible accidents, etc) Alan says it had the timing belts done in August 2012 and he has a receipt for that work. Please ask to see those service docs and the CA ownership papers as well. The car has also had a repaint and Alan admits it's not perfect. Please give me your own assessment of the car's paint. Also the car has a radar detector mounted on the dash. How is this secured? Velcro or with fasteners that will leave tell tale marks when I remove it from the dash? I am also interested in the overall cosmetic state of the car, condition of the leather seats, door panels, roof liner, glass, and chrome trim. Also does the A/C blow cold? If possible, please take the car for a road test. Much appreciated! Let me know if I can pay for your gas. I mentioned to Alan that I was trying to arrange for someone to drop by and have a look. If it's possible, let me know ahead of time and I'll let him know you're coming. Brent BTW: Congrats on your recent purchase.....a Euro no less!
