Wow, what an amazing journey! I also love reading about people who are reunited with their cars of the past. Congrats on having 81641 back home again! Best regards, Dino
Thanks guys. I keep having to pinch myself because I honestly never thought this day would come. I'm very grateful that Steve kept in touch with me all years and stuck to his word. It's really a dream come true!
Love the pic of you driving past the Baltimore stack - I see that all the time driving to / from Florida. Where is the black car? I'm more partial to resale red, but I'm curious about it. I have a 308 QV, but always wanted a 328. I'm more of a tire kicker, but would love to know what they want for it...
Augustine, Right back at you, great story!! As we both found, the best part of our Ferrari adventures were the great friends we made along the way. Be great to see you at Cavallino. If not I am sure we will meet someday. DDD Domenico
I would LOVE to bring her to Cavallino but I don't think I can make it this year. It is on my list though. I've been there before, but never as an owner.
What an awesome story - I just stumbled on this thread - thanks for the write up Augustine. Cheers! Ruben
Love the plate! Reminds me of a saying I saw once..."Be kind to your A students for they will come back and teach. Be kindest to your C students for they will come back and donate a new building to the school."
Haha! I wish I could take credit for it. I got the idea from one of the vanity plate threads on this site. I do get a lot of comments about it though.
Every great epic has a backstory. I mean, someone had to stay home and take care of Odysseus's wife while he was out slaying monsters and having fun in the Odyssey. I'm the guy that stayed home for ten years with Augustine's dream, and she was not boring. Augustine has pretty much brought you up to speed on how we met and how our families became friends. I was the 5th owner. The car ran "well" until a fix-it trip to a local shop, after which, it seemed to have less power. So, I sent it up to Competizione in Gaithersburg, MD. Sure enough, they said someone must have run it "hot" without coolant, because the cylinder pressure was as low as 139 ppi (when new it was 175), and gas "leakage" was 5 times what it should be. Two choices. Part it or rebuild the engine from scratch. Folks, I know Ferrari built a "lot" of 3x8 series cars, but they will never build cars this beautiful again, and there are fewer each year. There was never a question. I told Richard and Fernando to go ahead and then fainted when they told me what it would cost. The block, crank, and cams were all cleaned and polished to original specs. Pretty much everything else is brand new! I mean pistons, cylinder liners, clutch, everything. It doesn't even leak. A 328 engine that doesn't leak! I can tell you this. It does not lack for power now. It's at least the original 260. Driving, it first rumbles, then growls, then screams, and finally just sings! I found out a few years ago that I had cancer, which has slowly knocked me down to the point that it was difficult to give the Azzurro the attention she deserved. It was time, and after bugging me for ten years, there was only one person I would sell it to, so I called Donald Trump. No, of course, I called Augustine. This car has given me new friendships (you would not believe the great Ferrari community right here in Richmond), drives to remember the rest of my life, and peeking into the garage just because just seeing that beauty makes you feel better. A few awards from car shows haven't hurt either. Finally, a lasting friendship with a Kodiak bear-sized man half my age and his very cool family. I have loved this Ferrari for ten years. When I acquired it, I promised to sell it in better shape than when I got it, and to someone who cared as much about the car as I did. I believe I have done so. Thanks for listening, folks. Fini
Wow, SCM, the story just keeps getting better. You were the right caretaker at the right time. All of us dream of 'the one that got away' and yet you made it re-appear! And in better shape too. Here's hoping your therapy regimen includes blasting down a Virginia highway with either 8 or 12 cylinders of Ferrari motivation pushing you along, as driver or passenger.
Steve, Thank you for sharing your side of the story. Words can not express the gratitude I have for you. I will cherish #81641 and I truly appreciate all you've done to keep this car near the top of the 328 food chain. Thank you, brother.
I can't believe it's been more than a year since Steve passed. He was a fantastic guy and I will always be in his debt. I am incredibly grateful for everything he did for me, and for the fact that he reunited me with my "baby." Rest in Peace, Steve.
oh damn reality sucks! Sometimes we take for granted our blessings and good times, my condolences to all who knew & loved him ________________________________________________ 328 owners register your beauty at Ferrari 328 Registry - Ferrari 328 Car Registration
If you mean 78668, I own it. It's still on Augustine's NJ title, have not titled it here in TX (it's still in CA where I found it, undergoing a major with yelcab). After much thinking, I decided the 88 328 GTS was the most desirable vintage Ferrari. Pre ABS, post suspension upgrade, analog, DIY serviceable, all the design bugs worked out, targa top, and that timeless Pininfarina styling. In black, you don't notice the targa top or the spoiler as you do on red cars. It's a coupe and a convertible in one. The only other Ferrari I would consider for my personal use, albeit at a much higher price, is a black 430 Manual Coupe.
Always funny to see how the markets are different on one side or the other of the Atlantic. Hard to tell exactly these days as the market(s) has softened somehow, but at the beginning of this year a very good 328 GTS and a manual 430 were at about the same value. Rgds
Mate I can related to you. I also had an obsession with 328's since I saw my first one on the 1986 cover of Car magazine. It never went away. I too managed to buy my dream car many years later. A very low kilometre Rosso Corso /beige 1989 GTS which I still own to this day. I too work in the motor industry. Started with Nissan, then ten years with BMW and now with Mercedes-Benz. Other then the exception of a 288 GTO my heart will always lie with the 328. Thanks for your story.
Anyone wants to trade a 430 manual coupe for a somewhat famous 328 GTS with zero miles on a major, you know where to find me!
