Trying to learn, good deal?

Saving to buy a 308 in the next couple years and trying to find out as much as I can about the buying/researching stage. I was at a large swapmeet on the weekend and came across my "dream" car and just wanted some opinions. 1977 308 GTB, Red (respray I think) with redone tan interior. SN 208XX suggests glass car (acording to 308 registry online). Orig. 14" wheels with modern rubber. Doors close solidly and have no play in hinges, car started imediatley and idled great. aftermarket exhaust, slightly oily engine bay, black dust on inside of belt cover, belts last done (his words) 3000miles ago. a book full of service receipts, driven a claimed 100 miles per year for last several years (seems too few) very slight bublbling on front corner of front rocker/wheelwells (glass cars had steel rockers, yes?) ANYWAY, asking 39CDN and was told that if I was serious he would "do much better". Any thoughts? I know there are a million variables, but he wasn't a ferari guy, said he was into corvettes and wanted more of them. Less than 39CDN seems reasonable for a glass car? Any way I can figure out the origional colour via the SN or the code under it on the tag?

 

At 39k, it seems to be about average for a glass car. I know some will say they sell for more, but all Ferrari values, even the rare cars, are down in this market.

I too would love to add a glass 308 to my garage. Keep us posted.

 

Forgot - 43,000 miles.

 

You really want to know how the engine checks out as far as compression/leak down and oil pressure....this variable can cause a $20K swing in value depending on outcome.

 

All I will say that a nice glass 308 will sell for at least double the 39CDN they are asking for that car.

 

I would think that a good PPI would cover the leakdown/compression test, and would hopefully uncover any other big issues. When I'm ready to buy I will have 10k set aside for "incidentals" and service updates, but 20k would be hard to swallow... I've read enough on this forum and I know it can happen though. It's why I'm trying to research the cars so much. I want to enjoy my purchase and not have my heart in my throat every time I turn the key. I already have an old British bike that gives me that feeling.

 

The first steel bodied GTB began with S/N: 20805, but from this point to S/N: 20901, there were a mix of 'glass and steel cars rolling down the line.

Yes, 100mi/year is too little. Ferrari engines, especially old ones will leak a bit, but if it's covered in a thick grime, it obviously has not received any attention at all. If the belts were done "recently" and properly (remove valve covers, replace gaskets and seals) the engine would have been cleaned up (no good mechanic would put dirty, oily parts back on an engine). Black dust? Sounds like the belts are rubbing on something...

It sounds like the guy couldn't care less about this car and has treated it as such. He may be offering it cheap because it needs lots of work.

 

That's great info, thanks. The exact SN (20875) is not listed on the registry, but there are numbers on either side of it that are listed as glass. I didn't realize Ferrari put out steel and glass cars at the same time.

 

It was a point where the steel bodies were phased-in and the last 'glass bodies were being used up.