The "One Year with a Ferrari" 355 GTB | FerrariChat
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The "One Year with a Ferrari" 355 GTB

Discussion in '348/355' started by M. Brandon Motorcars, Dec 19, 2013.

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  1. M. Brandon Motorcars

    M. Brandon Motorcars Formula 3
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    Sep 4, 2007
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    Michael Foertsch
    #1 M. Brandon Motorcars, Dec 19, 2013
    Some of you might remember the blog "One Year with a Ferrari" (from an FChat member), chronicling the author's experience with a 1998 355 GTB over a year.

    I just took this car in on trade; for a 550 Maranello in the same color combination. I can tell you, it's a wonderful example of a 355. It's Grigio Titanio over Bordeaux interior, a 6-speed, and has 39K miles as it sits right now.

    It's due for a full engine-out major service, and also has a few other faults that need sorting: suspension actuator light is on, and it needs new cats. Sphere Motorsports will be doing the engine-out major, as well as sorting out the suspension and cat issues. Oh, and it needs new tires, and I will be putting brand new Michelin Super Sports on it. If you can't already tell, I plan to spend $$$$ on this car. :)

    I did drive it today, and it's an extremely well sorted 355, in absolutely beautiful condition.

    I will post pictures in this thread of the engine-out and other services. Eventually, the car will be for sale, if I don't decide to keep it for myself. :)
     
  2. bobzdar

    bobzdar F1 Veteran

    Sep 22, 2008
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    #2 bobzdar, Dec 19, 2013
    Congrats! It's beautiful car with at least a years worth of extremely well documented history.
     
  3. M. Brandon Motorcars

    M. Brandon Motorcars Formula 3
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    #3 M. Brandon Motorcars, Dec 19, 2013
    Oh, there's much more than a year's worth of history. There's service history going back almost to the original owner, including the original window sticker.
     
  4. M. Brandon Motorcars

    M. Brandon Motorcars Formula 3
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    #4 M. Brandon Motorcars, Jan 27, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Engine out service is complete, and engine is back in the car. One axle boot was torn, and new cats were installed, but otherwise, it was a very routine service, and the engine was in fantastic shape.

    Just needs a good detail (happening tomorrow, new tires (Michelin Super Sports) mounted, and a new suspension ECU and it's ready to go!
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  5. mathewr

    mathewr F1 Rookie
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    #5 mathewr, Jan 27, 2014
    Price?
     
  6. M. Brandon Motorcars

    M. Brandon Motorcars Formula 3
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    #6 M. Brandon Motorcars, Jan 27, 2014
    Have to figure that out. :) As I said, I may keep this one for myself; it's really that nice.

    I just got back from a drive; Mark (Sphere) asked me to put some miles on it, to make sure it is sorted.

    Wow, it's just a brilliant car. Probably the best 355 that I've ever driven. Tight as a drum.
     
  7. roadracer311

    roadracer311 Formula 3

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    #7 roadracer311, Jan 27, 2014
    I love that car. I remember reading about it back when I was shopping for my 355.

    Great color combo.
     
  8. bobzdar

    bobzdar F1 Veteran

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    #8 bobzdar, Jan 27, 2014
    I'm surprised the suspension ecu went bad, usually it's just an actuator/shock gear.
     
  9. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    #9 johnk..., Jan 27, 2014
    Now that's a sales pitch. :)
     
  10. M. Brandon Motorcars

    M. Brandon Motorcars Formula 3
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    #10 M. Brandon Motorcars, Jan 27, 2014
    The rear actuators are fine, and they just have to double-check the fronts.

    The reason they think it's the ECU is because there are no codes stored or being thrown. So, I'm expecting the worst case.

    I'm going to fix whatever the problem is, whatever it costs.
     
  11. M. Brandon Motorcars

    M. Brandon Motorcars Formula 3
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    #11 M. Brandon Motorcars, Jan 27, 2014
    I just call it like I see it. :)
     
  12. piratepress

    piratepress Formula Junior

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    #12 piratepress, Jan 28, 2014
    Beautiful color combination. I saw a very similar one on a Testarossa at Shelton Ferrari in 1988 and have always remembered it.
     
  13. compman2012

    compman2012 Rookie

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    #13 compman2012, Jan 28, 2014
    I know/work with the previous owner. HE definitely took care of it! I told him that it is not as nice as my Spider though :). Whoever gets will be lucky and have a well sorted car.
     
  14. M. Brandon Motorcars

    M. Brandon Motorcars Formula 3
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    #14 M. Brandon Motorcars, Jan 28, 2014
    Much higher quality pictures coming soon...
     
  15. jgriff

    jgriff Formula 3

    Jun 16, 2008
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    #15 jgriff, Jan 28, 2014
    I think I may have seen this car at the December Houston Coffee and Cars. I'm sure there aren't many around in this color combo. It looked and sounded great.
     

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