Wanted 308GT4

WTB 308GT4, must be 1975 due to smog issues in California
Price ceiling is 30K not including shipping.
Must have non salvage title
Any color is ok as long as factory color not color change
cosmetics not important
Motor and trans most important.

Thanks
[email protected]

Previous owner of :
1979 GT4
1971 246 coupe

 

Have you seen the one at Gullwing Motor Cars? 1975 listed at $29.5k. https://www.gullwingmotorcars.com/1975-ferrari-308gt4-c-2921.htm

Sent from my moto x4 using FerrariChat.com mobile app

 

Yes , have been in contact with the manager of Gullwing Motors. I have also posted on this site if anyone has gone to see it.
The body and interior look presentable, but the motor looks neglected. He has had it for over 2 years. I have asked that he contact the previous owner that I may talk to them about the condition of the engine. Gullwing has not started the motor, only turned it over.

 

I have also contracted them about this car. They are not willing to give any info

 

Only thing missing is a few more F emblems.

 

I bought my 308 from Gullwing last year and they couldn't have been more helpful. I guess there's only so far they will go to sell what to them is a relatively cheap car.

 

I don't think that's a cheap car. It will cost at least 30 grand to get it sorted.

 

Gullwing is a very mixed bag in terms of their inventory but most of the cars need work, and their knowledge or "openness" about their stock is not always encouraging.

They have some generally nice cars, some decent cars needing work, and some total heaps.

I went to look at a 456 there years ago. I asked first if it was a local NYC car (they are often abused in some form), and if it had any warning lights popping up. The salesman said "no" and "no". Then I got in to start it..check engine light stuck on. Salesman said "oh it's no big deal, just some small part that needs fixing". I asked why they didn't fix it and he just shrugged. Then I looked at the records...local NYC car. He shrugged again. Next I asked if it could be taken to my local mechanic for a PPI. He said my mechanic could travel to their place and look at it.

So no, they don't expect to have to do much to facilitate a sale, and you have to be very careful with due diligence or expect the worst so you won't be shocked if the car is a mess.

That said, they seem to flip a lot of cars, and many of their cars come form and end up at well known, well respected dealerships throughout the country. YMMV, as the say.

 

This is very true and why they've had it for 2 years!

 

Thanks to everyone for their input. I am going to pass on the car at Gullwing, Look for another car somewhere.

 

What was the VIN??

I sold two cars to Gullwing.

308GTB #22641 was recently restored back in Washington state, it was a Ron Tonkin car.

308GTB #20405 is actually a pretty rare early EARLY steel North American version. and I have not see it resurface again!
But I'm certain it will....I think it was a Factory painted blue car actually but I had NO history on it as to when and why the color change.

I do want to say my dealings with them were very easy and straight forward, FWIW.

 

Well that's the outcome of the Tech Unpdates:

You can see the bodywork of the front hood badge, and the rear ones, a trove of valuable take off parts!!
I would buy them as 1977 version badges...

Anyway, that CAR IS COMPLETE, so it's really the best there is for a total resto.
I would not start that engine either, it needs to be carefully gone thru for hoses and belts ad THEN fire it up.

Poor car...but there is greatness in them bones!!

Try $24K.....

 

Should be restored as a DINO,

And that's a poopy color, but keep the Boxer Trim....

With those CLub badges I would think the history easily found, thru FCA records or at Ferrari Market Letter. Gerald would have known this car

 

It will cost less money to buy a completely restored car.

GT4 donor car + restoration costs = financially upside down project.

 

+1 (with exclamation point!)

A completely restored car that you like as-is, is the way to go 99% of the time (exception being "once in a lifetime" dream car or spec that is unavailable anywhere else). But fixing cars that haven't been touched mechanically in a long time is a frustrating, time consuming, and expensive process. Unless you're purely in it for the thrill of solving constant problems, I'd refocus on figuring out a way to buy a car that is already in good shape.

Edit: just noticed you've owned two Dino's previously so maybe you already know what you're getting into. Forgive the comments from the peanut gallery if that's the case. Just trying to warn off the uninformed.

 

Thanks for all the input. Gullwing did send additional photos of the undercarriage and there seems to be a lot of rust in the front undercarriage, but not as much on the rear area. Not able to tell if there is any cancerous rust on the frame, but there may be a few spots, again on the front undercarriage that are suspect. The engine has a great deal of oxidation and the bolts holding the carbs are rusted suggesting the car has been exposed to salt.
I wish I could go there to inspect it, but its a long way from California just to take a peek.

If anyone knows of a good driver GT4, that's what I am looking for, not a concourse example.

Thanks everyone.

 

They sent me extra pictures of the undercarriage if you are interested. I am going to pass on the car, as I have not idea how to have it inspected as I am in California.

 

The fact they have had it 2 years tells us something. I see that you may have a 348?
I have been toying buying one as I like the body style, but motor out on many service issues seems a bit much. I am able to pull motors, but was hoping for a car that I could do belts, etc without pulling the drive train.

 

I have restored Ferraris in the past and don't want to go through it again. As soon as you find an area that requires specialized body shop expertise, the prices shoot up dramatically. I do almost all of my mechanical work and can rebuild the engine and trans, etc, but things like fried wiring harnesses and GT4 specific parts are incredible expensive. I would offer them 15K for it, but still hesitant.

 

I would offer them 15K, but still hesitant as need to have the car inspected, but live across the country from it.

 

I offered them the same and got turned down. I would be super hesitant to spend more without knowing the state of engine. I know the started doesnt work, but it turns over by hand

 

That's a shame, I was hoping for some info as my car came with no history - it's a GTS #23217 - if anyone knows it do please let me know.

 

My first Ferrari was a 348, hence my user name. I have a 308 now which was always the one I wanted

 

Buy a pair of Nike shoes and run as fast as you can from the car.

With rust on a non-running GT4, it is an automatic no-go.

Find another car.

Qualified marque specialist shops fees run $150 an hour and more for labor. $150.00 per hour is a budget shop.

If you want it perfect and original, it will cost over 200K, to restore the car.

The #'s do not make financial sense when you add up the total costs, for a nut and bolt faithful restoration.

If this was a GTC/4 in identical condition, it might not even make financial sense, if the donor car was priced, at 30K.

 

Agreed. Only way this one makes sense is if you want a beater and do your own work. Assuming there isnt a hole in the block, you could probabaly get it running decently for 15k of parts (assuming a rebuild). If you got the car for 5-10k, IMO, that wouldn't be a bad shout as a beater.