Some cool pics.
Sweet... I love Nova Scotia... I saw this Mondial Cab at the airport this past summer. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Here's a nice titanium 355 with NS plates, I saw it in May of 2004 at Ferrari Quebec Oh and I saw the CS @ FoQ too! It looked increbile! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hello everyone - new member here. I have been sickly in love with Ferrari ever since I saw a bright red testarossa downtown Montreal as a youngster. I have been putting money aside for many years now and next March I will finally have the funds to buy my '91 - 93' 348. I am trying to prepare now for the purchase by getting as informed as possible. The biggest concern I have is that I don't think there is any Ferrari service east of Montreal. Can anyone clarify this? Also, is there any place to purchase aftermarket Ferrari special tools and shop manuals? Thanks in advance - Troy Wood - [email protected]
Troy: No ferrari dealer east of montreal. I am in halifax. There are more ferrraris around than you might think but I haven't heard of anybody who is a ferrari 'expert'. Bruno at Carlo Auto is probably the closest thing. There is a place on the bedford highway that apparently has some experience with alfas. I do most of my own work. My advice would be to get a nice early 308. Anybody who knows how to deal with carbs can handle it. even the early fuel injection I think was common on that era of european car. Most of the maintenance work (including belt changes) is do-able if you are careful and have relatively basic tools. The service manuals are readily available, parts are not too crazy and best of all you can get all the help you need right here on fchat. I know 348's might seem like a deal but I got a feeling they can be a headache. Stacy
Thank you Stacy. I was aware there were no dealerships or licensed Ferrari mechanics but I thought there surely must be someone in the Maritimes that had experience on more contemporary Ferrari's. Your advise on a carburated 308 is well taken and I fully understand the reasons for this advise. The 308/328's are lovely Ferrari's. For some reason however I have gravitated toward the 348 for quite some time now (seemingly good dollar value and the car that matched my generation). I really have to ask myself if I am prepared to deal with long down times and possible shipping to Quebec. Of course, I have a well equipped garage and fairly good mechanical skills but I would be lost trying to diagnose the 348's possible electrical issues - and it is the electrical that concerns me most. I will keep you informed - one way or another I have less than 10 months before I will finally have my red Ferrari. To tell you the truth, even with the car seeing downtime in the garage I would be quite happy to say on a Saturday morning I am going to work on my Ferrari today. Troy
Troy: once you get the money count on a year or more to find the right car. it seems like there are a lot of them out there but most are junk. you can spend a scarry amount of money in a hurry if you rush to buy the wrong car (speaking from experience). it will be hard to buy one from here without being able to check out a whole bunch. a 308 is a simple car you would be able to service yourself. i will defer to the 348 experts but i think service on a 348 is much more complicated (expensive). best of luck stacy
There are about ten 348's for sale in the country right now with an average price of $75k. About half of these have been for sale for over a year. Montreal is looking like the best place to buy thus far. I will keep doing my homework til then and will be keeping your 308 advice in mind.
Hi Guys, Carlo used to be the Ferrari man around Halifax as you know. I haven't had Bruno do any work on my Italian stuff, I'm sure he's capable, but I would find out what he has worked on, and to what level. Two other professionals who I've had work on my cars are Doug @ Yuille's auto works Dartmouth ( he rebuilt the motor on my 412i before I had it, also did the belts on my GTB, done clutch work on a mondial etc. good euro mechanic with electronic skills ) also Peter Osborne @ Village Green Halifax if you can convince him to work on your Italian car, Peter works on British stuff & Volvos but Eric Smith's Dino is in there at the moment, & has been before. Regarding the 348 purchase, with the early cars: 308 & 328, you can do major service work without engine removal. 348's on. I believe you need to remove the engine for belts, clutch etc. Limits the stuff you can do at home, & makes servicing a lot more expensive ! Cheers from Cow Bay N.S. Alan [email protected]
Hello Nova Scotia Ferrari - This is great info... I have got these names recorded. Thank you. Can I ask for your opinion on the 348 purchase? I am planning on a purchase next march. There are currently about ten 348's for sale in canada at the moment (many which have not moved in quite some time - makes me a little nervous). My plan is to do a cross-country trip checking every car from east to west and making my final decision once checking out the last car in Vancouver. Basically choosing the best of the bunch and getting it shipped back to NS. I know that the 348 is not as intuitive to work on as would be a 308/328. I guess what I would really like to know is are the local mechanics you mentioned capable of engine out work or would I be better off shipping it to Quebec for service. Thanks again. Troy Wood.
Sorry to hijack this but my family and I are coming to Halifax this August for a vacation. My 8 year old son is really excited about taking the VIA Ocean with a bunkbed suite. We haven't booked a hotel yet. We are probably going with the Marriot because of the water location. Should we consider anything else? Haliburton?
I love my 348 - and the stuff that's broken has been little things that any competent mechanic could deal with. And reading the Brotherhood Thread (348/355 section) - lots of 348 owners do their own work with the help of this board. It's doable. Not by me - but but someone who can tell both ends of a screwdriver apart. Rather than hopping across Canada looking at the 10 advertised 348's, I'd suggest tracking down the independent Ferrari wrenches across the country and get their perspectives on the different cars: 10:1 they know 9 of them well, or can do a once over for you before flying in. TBakowsky and Rock in TO, 2Nastie/KDS contacts in Calgary, Not sure who best to talk to in Montreal - that's closer to your neck of the woods (Steve Mamann does post on here from Prancing Horse). Be very clear on what you want and what condition you're willing to accept: medium-high mileage with impeccable history and mechanics, or high mileage with a few gaps, or concours car only. For a first I'd suggest the strongest mechanical history you can find. If you make it out to Vancouver, drop me an email or PM: I can show you around PS: I bought from FoO with the help of TBakowsky. I drove a couple cars locally and figured out what I wanted, then found the specific car after after a few attempts in TO. bought sight unseen (to me) and worked out great. I'd be happy to share my experience over the phone if you want to call: 604 760 1251. Ricambi is a sponsor on the site and seems to sell everything Fcar related, or know who can.
If you are thinking about a high mile car that is in very good shape for the miles PM me as I am thinking about buying a 360 later this year. I will let my car go for under 60. Todd
Hi Troy, both Doug & Peter are very capable, but you may have to convince Peter. Yuilles does not have a place to store cars whereas Peter does. Another person who comes to mind is Burt Page @ Eurowerks on Kempt, he's the best Mercedes guy around, & I know he's worked on a Countach. There was a Lebanese factory trained mechanic around but couldn't find him a few years ago, when i went looking. Also there is a young guy who is the Porsche factory whiz at the dealership on Kempt, might be worth a try. He looked over my 412 before I sold it. Give me a call if I can be of further help : 465 2874. Cheers Alan I emailed Stacy with the N.S. cars I know ( no Italian car club! ) There are a couple of 355 & 360s around, the 328 black in Bedford, a > couple of red Gtsi. > a yellow one in Pictou, Harry Steele's Gtsi, John Risley has a Tessi, not > sure if Gary Ramey still has his Mondial cab. Kartbahn used to have a > Tessi > There are a couple of Ferraris in Bridgetown, & one (or two) in > Yarmouth. Saw a new Maserati last summer also..............that's all I > can think of except Eric Smith's Dino & my Dino > > John Hamm used to have a 250 Europa ! but that's another > story ! Cheers ! >
I am completely blown away at how helpful this site has been. A concern in my Ferrari purchase has come from the feeling of lack of local support. I am feeling much better! Thank you all... I have recorded your contact info. If anyone is ever in the Annapolis Valley you have a place to stay. Troy Wood [email protected]
My 75 year old mother drove her Dino 246 GTS (Fly Yellow) a few years ago to Halifax from Ontario. Does anybody remember spotting it? .......and keep your eyes open for our Dino centre hubcap - Probably on some Concordia students wall. Great drive she said. Went from Bar Harbour ferry. BTW Gentry Lane has a low mileage 348 Spyder for sale.
Apparently the chap that owned the silver 355 bought a silver 360 - both have been spotted in Quebec occassionally (NS plates)
There used to be a fly yellow 246 in New Minas NS - I believe it was owned by a Milligan. The family owned a 'White Spot' restaurant on the New Minas strip. I love the Dino - the most beautiful Pininfarina design that linked the early cars with the more modern 308/328 styling. I wish it was not so pricy.
Bill Milligan's Dino was a 206 in red, it was sold down in the States. There was a yellow 246 in Halifax (years ago) which was brought in from Italy by Carlo, it was sold to John Vacca. He later leased a red 246 from Caliber Motors in Toronto. I was talking to Village Green the other day it was stated that Eric Smith's car was yellow before it was painted by Bones. I don't remember it being yellow. The chap who had the silver 355 is the backer behind Halifax BMW. He used it for track days at AMP & tracks in Quebec & Ontario............I forget his name! obviously traded it in on the 360. Yep it was a silver Maser, followed me up by the new bridge from Bedford. Wish I'd seen Mom in her GTS ! I would have invited her for tea. Cheers Alan
I stand corrected on Milligan's Dino. The reason I associated the yellow with his is that I used to see a yellow one at the ken-wo golf course in New Minas. I always assumed this was his car. Troy