Need resto on 1969 365 GT 2+2

Hello! I'm a new user here in Thousand Oak area. When my dad passed away a few years ago, he left me his 365 GT 2+2. Unfortunately, a conspiracy of factors resulted in the car not being run, or even moved, for at least the past 20 years, and now it sits in my mother's garage on its tires and under a tarp. Last known mechanical condition is believed to be good, no major issues. About 50K kilometers on the odo.

I'm expecting it to need going to need a thorough going-through mechanically, and a substantial refreshing cosmetically (chrome pitting, interior deterioration), aiming for a good driving restoration. I'm looking for suggestions where and who in the LA area to do this. Right now inclined to get the mechanical done first, then the interior/exterior.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

I would seriously have you consider Carl over at Blackhorse Motors in Los Angeles who has done countless restoration on 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's Ferrari's that have been shown at the Pebble Beach Concourse. He does amazing work!

 

say it with me...... patrick ottis

 

FastCars Ltd. in Redondo Beach - Ask for Craig 310-937-6700. If you visit them I am sure Craig will be more than happy to show you their facilities and capabilities.

 

Welcome. Do you plan on keeping the car and becoming a driver or will this be a business

 

Definitely keeping the car. Hope to hand it off to my kids, but in the very very distant future!

 

Fast Cars Ltd in Redondo Beach is the only way to go. Craig helped me out with a similar situation on a GT4 and now the car runs amazing. A visit to their shop will convince you immediately.

 

Welcome on board.

Couple of things (FACTS ?) you might wish to seriously consider (and research), both ideologically and technically, before even interviewing any potential service providers.

First, there are restoration and then, there are restoration. Which end of the vast spectrum or compromise in between you prefer or desire to accomplish.

Just like seeking medical advise, do yourself a favor and interview more than one or two recommended entities, especially when those offering opinions do not clearly state how they arrived at it. Are they friends or clients. How many shops or what type of jobs they went through to gain this simply stated opinion ?

You might even ask (and offer to pay for their time ?) to bring the car to couple of different prospective shop(s) to receive an non-binding inspection and preliminary estimate. Probably smartest money you can spend.

It also might help to understand that a 40+ year old car like yours is made of way over 100000 parts and it's more than likely in the case like yours that most if not all of them are in some degree of needing reconditioning (time = $$) or replacement (=$$).

And unless you have several previous experiences with these types of major renovation transactions (i.e. old boats, cars, planes or houses, etc), you probably need to come to terms that budgeting (way) more time and $$'s than you think is also prerequisite to set a path to pleasant experience.

To put all the above as simply as I can, projects like these can vary anywhere from few months and tens of thousands of $'s to several years and hundreds of thousands of $$$'s.

P.S. I'm not soliciting, but in past 35+ years have PERSONALLY performed dozens of "complete/comprehensive/full" restorations and lesser involving services on all kinds & types of vintage car (boats, etc) and their components, including many Ferraris, so I'd like to think I might have some insight and wish to offer advise based on it.
I hope I'm not deterring you from what could be a wonderful "journey" to revive your father car, but I've said for decades that the backyards, garages and many shop corners around the world are unfortunately filled with unfinished dreams, mostly due to persons involved not being realistic from the very beginning.

 

PM sent.

 

Welcome. And as they always say, it's only original once. If it were me, I'd do whatever mechanical is needed to make it a great driver, and mainly leave the cosmetics the way they are, assuming that nothing is too horrible.

 

please. we want to see the now

 

Thanks to everyone so far the suggestions, wisdom and guidance! Lots of legwork ahead on this for sure. I have every expectation this is going to take some time and resources ($$). Regarding pics, the last time the car was out in the light it was not only pre-digital, it was pre-internet, so I'll see if I can find so photos to scan in.

 

Please do current ones. So we can see the now

 

Carl at Blackhorse motors!

 

i wouldnt touch it....

get all the mechanicals up to spec and drive it as is.....

imho

 

Mine $80,000 and still spending

 

The longer a Ferrari stays in the shop, the more it goes up in value. A thought...What if somehow this was a larger increase than what you spent to do a nice restoration? It would would pay off to have it slowly brought to life, by increased value over time? Now that bubble would be a worth while ride. Perhaps fantasy, but going into the shop to make money over time...Your kids would be rich with their fresh restoration.

 

So how's it going? Are you smiling and how soon does she come home?

 

Brett did a beautiful job. Took almost two years. Small thing yet to do. I am robbing a 400 for missing parts. Car was tuned in the winter😊. Running rich big time. I now have 600 miles on the car. The driver position is much better than a 400. Sit higher. I did a Ferrari group tour last week. It had no problem keeping up

 

Fast Cars! Redondo Beach

1 visit will tell you what you need!

 

+1 on FASTCARS. They do concours worthy restoration work and will be very honest and forthcoming regarding any issues or questions you may have. Craig and his team have been absolutely wonderful to me in providing top notch service for my Ferrari.

Good luck, Henry

 

The guys over at Modena Motorsport do great work.

 

+1 for Craig/FASTCARS. Incredible shop and great guys all around.

 

Patrick is a very good choice and so would Gary Bobilief or however that goof spells his last name.


They are both bona fide restoration shops with great reputations with their peers.

 

Maybe go to Pebble this year and see with your own eyes who is hot and who is not? Realize that saying "restoration" is like saying had "cosmetic surgery". Those words encompass a huge territory with risks, benefits, and pitfalls no one should consider without lots of research.