Another tale of Woe! 77 308 GTB | FerrariChat

Another tale of Woe! 77 308 GTB

Discussion in 'Chicago' started by MikeF, Jul 21, 2004.

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  1. MikeF

    MikeF Karting

    Nov 4, 2003
    129
    Bloomington IN
    Full Name:
    Mike Fisher
    On my way to Italiana Automobili I collected a chunck of road debris and took a chunk out of the front bumper and left front fender. Body shop estimate about $6,500.00!! Left the car at the body shop and rented a car to go back home on Monday. $345.00 for a one way rental car back to Bloomington IN!! I think National owes me a kiss!!

    Car won't start when they go to put it in the garage. Send it over to Continental. Broken valve. Camshaft seized. Minimum of $10,000.00, probably much more when it is all opened up.

    I'm beginning to think I should have it crushed and make a coffee table out of it.
     
  2. Ricambi America

    Ricambi America F1 World Champ
    Sponsor Owner


    First off, check with your insurance company about the bumper smash. Be very careful about how you word things -- if the rocks were flying through the air when they hit the car, your comprehensive should cover everything (for the price of your deductible), and there will be no rate adjustment in future years.

    (I lost most of my Mercedes' front end because of a similar incident, and it was all repaired by State Farm for $250... but the actual cost was around 4K)

    Now, on the broken valve and camshaft, you're right.... now is the time to really consider what you want to do. Did you plan to keep this car for a long time? Were you due for a 30K service anyway? Call around... 10k might not be too bad, but why not check an independant like Euginio. You could almost ship it to California and back if the price is right: http://emelbon.tripod.com/eugeniosferrariservice.html


    -Daniel
     
  3. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,143
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    That's pretty odd to suffer two unrelated failures like that.........

    What would be the relationship between the crash damage and a dropped valve?

    Did you lose coolant when the front end was damaged?

    What color is it? I need one more 77 308GTB.......and a carbed Boxer...
     
  4. bill365

    bill365 F1 Rookie

    Nov 3, 2003
    3,319
    Chicago area
    Full Name:
    Bill
    Mike,
    I am truly sorry to hear of your misfortune. Have Continental check to see if there is any relation between the front end damage and the seized cam/valve issues. Oil cooler/radiator damage? Best of luck......

    Bill
     
  5. MikeF

    MikeF Karting

    Nov 4, 2003
    129
    Bloomington IN
    Full Name:
    Mike Fisher
    Doesn't appear to be any connection between the two incidents. Just my sh..ty luck!

    This car has been thru a lot:

    Fire damage to entire interior and all glass. $38,000.00

    Sheared timing belt. $13,000.00

    Parking lot vandalism. $6,000.00 paint job.

    Transfer case gear failure. $3,000.00

    It is red with black interior and a huge black cloud hovering over it.

    I hate to part with it as it is my "one car that I have to own in this lifetime". Just got it to good concours condition too. 88.5 points at Cavallino Classic.
     
  6. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Oct 3, 2002
    48,581
    @ the wheel
    Full Name:
    Andreas
    Isn't this also the same car that actually run over your arm?
     
  7. MikeF

    MikeF Karting

    Nov 4, 2003
    129
    Bloomington IN
    Full Name:
    Mike Fisher
    Andreas,

    NO. That was my 58 Mercedes. Actually ran over both legs and my shoulder, then proceeded to roll down the hill in my yard bouncing off of trees until it ripped the door off on a big tree and stopped. I still have pain and limp because of that, but the car got fixed. Actually won Best Of Show at a Mercedes Benz Club National Meet last year with it. I wish the body shop could have worked on me as well as they did the car!
     
  8. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,143
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    Dayuuumn, Mike! :(

    I thought I'd had bad luck with my 1977 308GTB until I read all that.....

    38K Interior??? That boggles my mind!

    Red/Black is one I don't have. so keep me in mind. But I know what you mean about a lifetime dream. Mine were as well...

    My gf asked to other day about my purchase of the second one, any regrets..

    I said, "Nah, ten years from now after they are perfectly restored and we are sitting around in lawn chairs at some party, we'll remember all these adventures and laugh...."

    Sounds like you'll remember yours, and wince....:)

    You may hold some kind of record for expenses incurred building a $35K car!
     
  9. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,143
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    How did your interior catch fire so badly?

    I may want to avoid that.............
     
  10. pma1010

    pma1010 F1 Rookie

    Jul 21, 2002
    2,559
    Chicago
    Full Name:
    Philip
    Mike
    One thought. Before you have CFM spend $$$ on a teardown and rebuild, guys like T Rutlands generally have rebuild motors for $7000 or so, less as an exchange.
    Sorry to hear of the woe.
    Philip
     
  11. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Oct 3, 2002
    48,581
    @ the wheel
    Full Name:
    Andreas
    But if Mike likes to do concours wouldn't that cost him points?
     
  12. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,143
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    I don't think so.

    1977 308GTBs were well past the practice of matching numbers to chassis.
    My car's PO blew the motor at 6K miles and a new one was dropped in under warranty.

    No one has noticed so far........

    Still, I'd prefer one built by a mechanic I know. And I know some better than Rutland! ;)
     
  13. spike308

    spike308 F1 Rookie
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 8, 2003
    4,461
    Austin TX!
    Full Name:
    Mike Z
    Man...
    And I was feeling sorry for myself for being $1K over my self imposed Ferrari budget for the year....
    Good luck!
     
  14. judge4re

    judge4re F1 World Champ

    Apr 26, 2003
    13,477
    Never home
    Full Name:
    Dr. Dumb Ass
    Mike:

    Sorry about your troubles. But before you crush it, I'll buy it as is to fix it (and not turn it into an art car, sorry Speedy).

    Let me know.

    Erik
     
  15. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,143
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    LOL! One Art Car is enough. ;)
     

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