Advise needed on low mileage 308gtsi

Not an expert...but my 308 had a turbo on it when I bought it. For value and reliability reasons I would not put the turbo on.

 

Finish it as standard and auction it as a time capsule

Maybe ask in the NY geographic section lower down for a recommended shop

 

pics please

 

Don't we all wish we could stumble into a situation like this? Congratulations on the car.

 

So... the car has been sitting in pieces since you bought it 17 years ago?

 

Wow, so much to cover on a project like that. Really comes down to condition of engine when torn down for turbo upgrade. Current condition of engine and gearbox and what parts you have on hand. Long term storage takes its toll as well. The value of a 2v injected 308 is probably on par with what it may cost to return it to factory running condition, no idea though as overall condition is unknown.

 

How "torn down"? You don't need to take an engine apart to put a turbo on it. I would put it back to stock, get it all running, sell the car at one of the big name auctions (BJ is taking consignments now for Las Vegas) and sell off the turbo parts. Then take the money and buy something you would like to have/drive, that is suitable for Buffalo weather. How about a Lotus Europa?

 

If he just popped the heads the motor isn't tough to put back together and get back in the car. In fact replacing all the hoses and belts will help dress up the car. All the OEM parts are still available. I agree some pics would help us give you better advice.

For sure, stay away from those aftermarket turbos!

The only bad news is that of all the 308 series, the 2v Fuel injection models are the least valuable. And if the interior is damaged over time its expensive to fix.

Time attacks paint, leather, rubber, gas, oil, steel, etc. Even just sitting there the fall apart. But the low mileage if it can be documented is a real plus as a collector machine. So it's worth putting it back if for no other reason than having one more on the road.

 

Would the "anoraks" among us be forgiven to dare to ask for the VIN of the car?

Rgds

 

I will echo others comments. Put it back stock if you are sure that is all the mileage it has ever seen.

 

There's more to "boosting" a 3x8 than just slapping on a blower.
The Norwood turbo kit ran about 7-10K$ depending on intercooler.
It also needs a replacement EFI management system.

If you don't have all those parts, then built it stock, or plan on spending a lot of money you likely won't get back in resale.

The injected 2v cars have the lowest value, because they have the least power.
But home-brew mods subtract value on these cars.

Even with a recognized, known kit like Norwood's, you're unlikely to get that spend back in resale.
A modded car will wait a long long time looking for a compatible buyer.

 

I have a Norwood turbo car. It is very nicely done with complete engine build. Do you think it is worth converting back to stock should I ever wish to sell?

 

Depends how quickly you want to sell.
Ferraris are not easy to sell quickly at the best of times.
But a modded Ferrari can wait a long long time before it finds a buyer.

At any given time, there'll be a small pool of people looking for a specific model of Ferrari.
But you may have to wait before someone goes looking for a modded Ferrari.


A while back, I thought about replacing my 328's Marelli with coil-on-plug ignition and a custom ignition computer ...
... until I realized that I'd be the only person able to service a computer I programmed myself.

At least people in Texas know where to get a Norwood mod serviced.

 

I would echo what most are saying. If the sentimental value has faded, would recommend having a it put back together and running it through a high end auction house. Most buyers would see the less then 1000 miles as a something to maintain and probably keep it there. 2v or not, something like that is a rare find.

 

Wow! Red interior is a + + +!

 

If the motor is together and still in the back then for sure rescue this and put it back on the road. At auction it could do pretty well.

Not only is the mileage low but I agree, the interior is special.

 

Just looking at the pictures you provided, I would point out some non-stock items I see. First is the speedometer gauge face. That should have the 85 MPH speedometer face. It is common practice to send those off and have them refaced by PaloAlto Speedo and other shops to the 180mph version. But that is not the correct gauge face. So I would, if you never have before, run a car fax. Could be the original that has been refaced. Or it could be a replacement. 1981s and up I believe are on Carfax. Documentation on how that came to be with that face, would be handy.

Also, the rear bumper appears to have the spacers removed and pushed in. Again, another common practice. The passenger side mirror and radio DIN hole are not stock. On that lower front valence, that was either optioned on the car, or installed after purchase. Common attractive modification now days.

I don't see anything that gives me pause on the mileage other than the speedometer gauge face. Interior looks great. Pretty car. The car should look like new underneath and in the wheel wells. Put her back stock.

 

I would not care about the bumpers or the speedo. They are not going to affect value. Get it running as well as you can. Get it professionally detailed and then ship it off to auction. The market is down but this has such low miles, it's still going to generate a buzz in the room and sell I think.

 

At least it does not have a tan carpet with those red seats. [emoji3]

 

Yah I had the same feeling about the front spoiler.

If it has original tools, books and keys as well as any sales documentation or service history these can be a big plus.

 

I had an 84 red Qv Gtsi with a red interior. It had red carpets as well.

I was ahead of my time. Most didn't like it. "Too much red".

To the OP: save this car. It's worth saving, will bring you some joy, and maybe a few bucks.

You won't retire on it but if it is what you say and the motor is intact, it's hard to say how you could lose.

 

There has to be an F car mechanic in upstate NY someplace. Failing that in Toronto area although not sure how hard it is to do a temporary export of the car. I don't think you can trailer the car across just like driving across for the day, if it's not registered. Call customs.

Whose name is the title in? That's going to be a show stopper if it's still in your deceased friend's name. If it's in his wife's name you are going to need to get her to sign off on it. Otherwise call a lawyer

 

I would not undo what Norwood did, no way. Then you would have "just another" 308. I believe you will get a premium for the car as it is, but as someone else stated it may take a little longer to find the right buyer. Norwood is almost on a par with Michelotto when it comes to Ferraris. I don't know why he doesn't have his own badge or logo on the cars he builds or modifies. Just keep the paperwork with the car to establish who did the work.