William, Sorry to hear of your health issues, and you have to move your beloved 308 on. Im sure you will find another with the same passion for your Ferrari as you. I remember reading many of your posts regarding your 2vi, and im sure they helped me reach the decision to buy my own 82 2vi. What a great car, I love mine to bits. All the best and I wish you good health mate. -Dave.
“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!” Hunter S Thompson would be proud of you, William!
My "litte girl" is turning 23 years of age next month, my boy just turned 21. What the h*ll has happened, all of a sudden ?? Sometimes I can't "keep up", the "speed of time" grabs me by the throat.. We all are here on a "temporary basis", nothing you can do about that. As my mother says: if you don't want to get old, you have to die young. Not an option of course. So... So as long as we can: full throttle ! Every day should count. I'm from 1962, not really a youngster anymore either, but still one of the fastest competitors in my Alfa Romeo racing series. I bet a lot of people envy you William, either silently or out loud. A life should have been lived to the fullest, when making up the balance when the time is there. No regrets ! I'm shure you'll have plenty of good years left to enjoy realising how well you did/do, even if it means not holding the steering wheel of a sportscar anymore. However the thought of me, not beïng able anymore to crawl behind the steering wheel of a roll-caged racer makes me a bit nervous (understatement). Oh well.... I never heard of Hunter S. Thompson Robert, I'll look in to that. Must be a wise and interesting guy ! All the best William !!
You Guy's are the greatest!!! Really make me feel all is right with the world (at least our small Ferrari part of it). So far no one has had any interest in buying my car. I guess it is early yet, but I feel the price is correct for what she is, and I really do not have to give her away. Regards, William
I'm a little surprised this hasn't sold yet. I figured it would be gone before you had the chance to change your mind... Beautiful car and a great story behind it. I know that people want "no stories" cars, but this is an exception.
It all depends on the budget one has to live on. I understand that the money isn't an/the issue for you William, which is good, since I'm shure you have been working your *ss off before your "retirement". So you simply earned it. So why not just keep the car ? Put it in the livingroom ? (yes, I'm serious !! I'd park the Vetro in my livingroom (if I couldn't drive the car anymore and would not need to sell it) if that was possible in the first place (which it isn't). I knew a guy which had his house reconstructed in such a way the garage and the living room were combined, just separated by a glass wall. Once in a while have the car driven by a friend or his son, guys you could trust with the car. Be a passenger, or not, just enjoy the departing- and arriving sounds and the smile on the face(s) of the occasional drivers. Hell, if you can support yourself and your wife for the 30 years to come, and (I presume ?) not having kids that could inherit, keep it financially "out of the tax government" when you are finally no longer on this planet by just giving it away to the "occasional driver" that always had the largest smile on his face when leaving for the trip, and the most saddest look when it was time to bring her back in! I realise it's not the most common/logical response to such a thread, but it would be quite another way to enjoy the power of money in a positive way. Don't know the English language enough to express what I mean, but I guess you all get the point. You said it yourself: the longest relationship you've had..
Hey William, I'm just curious if you would be selling if the prices for 308's were still around the $20-$30k range. I know that you mentioned some of the reasons and they make sense. The reason I'm curious is that I'm the original owner (family) of a early 911 and I never considered selling, not once in the last 35 years since I took over stewardship off the car from my dad. But, it has entered my mind a lot with the current crazy early Porsche bubble going on because I'm not sure if we will see the numbers being asked again for a while once they start dropping. I think my car is realistically worth $30k but last fall I was offered $150k for it. Doesn't make sense to me. I always planned to pass it down in the family, except with the current values I'm not sure anyone else in my family will have as much attachment as I do. I think buying an one owner car like yours is a rare opportunity for sure and even though winter isn't the best time to sell and 2v GTS isn't the most popular but the color is unique/rare. I'm sure it will sell. Hopefully to another long term owner not a dealer.
This really is not about the money for me. although, with the market the way it is, I believe what I am asking is a fair price. I really love my car and will only pass her on to someone that will care for her the way I do. That is the most important thing to me. With regard to money, if that is a real issue to you, I would say take the offer especially if it is from someone that will care for your car the way you do. Regards, William
I feel the same way. I would rather take less and it go to good home if I ever do sell. I'm the same way when I buy. I only want to buy from someone I like. Both the PO of my 308's made the final decision for me. They were great to deal with and very fair about the price, I like to think it was because they knew the cars were going to a good home too. The 911 has been worth so little for so long I never even thought about selling until end of last year but I couldn't bring my self to do it. Maybe that's why Sienfeld is selling 16 of his Porsche's now. He certainly doesn't need the money, maybe he just thinks enthusiast aren't buying them anymore and the market is at a peak. I couldn't part with those cars. Jerry Seinfeld's Porsches peak auction - Business Insider
I've just noticed this thread. I miss my younger days, but fortunately have no regrets that I can't put into perspective. When to part with a Ferrari is a tough one, but I'm glad for you that you have a pretty cool plan of finding a good home for her and enjoying the Rolls. Coincidentally, my grandfather was a dentist, and part of his experience came on a USN carrier. He missed the octane gene. Fortunately, my awesome parents were car-nuts. As for the 2V being fast -- Have you ever heard of the Virginia City Hillclimb? It runs from Silver City to Virginia City Nevada, the only place that can offer such events. About 25 years ago, the Ferrari 308 group was pretty well subscribed, and grouped GT4 / GTB,S / GTB,Si / QV / 328 / 348 etc. As a participant, I recall The fastest times were turned by injected 2V cars. What's that saying about competition? "You never remember who you beat, and will never forget who beat you". I was running a euro tuned carb GTS, and I took a first in my class after many years which I was proud of given the number of contenders, but the 2V injected cars were still faster! Yours is gorgeous, and you've taken great care with it. I too am impressed with paint (and the whole car). Good luck with your health, and good luck with the sale.
Well, it looks like she's sold. I just have to figure out how to complete the sale as the purchaser is from another state. Thanks for all the great comments about my car. They really helped. Regards, William
not the spoil the thread but funny that you mention, as this is exactly what i'm doing as we speak! I'll put in the pictures soon. William, I hope i can do what you are doing now: Looking back with no regrets. Still working on it and as my age goes up (i'm from '64) this is becoming more a reality than ever. live life to the max
William, Happy for you that the sale has been proceeding quickly, and hope that this special car has found a good place; I always liked its story and its color... Rgds
William, First off, I hope that this goes well for your in every way, and that you enjoy every day. From reading your posts, you seem a gentleman. Secondly, selling out of state is easy. They send you money in the mail, you make sure it has cleared, then mail them the title. Then the new owner can fetch His/Her car with ownership papers in their hand. This takes away your risk: they take the risk that you'll cheat them (which you won't, especially as a known entity on FChat) and you don't have to take risk with your car. I bought a car last year in Iowa, live in Colorado, and the seller and I worked out a deal such as this and everything was smooth and easy. We also mailed back and forth a couple copies of a home-made Bill of Sale that described the vehicle (make/model/year/color/vin). Jonathan
To All: I cannot begin to thank everyone for the kind words and help with the sale of my longest relationship. This has been one of the hardest decisions I have had to make, although, it went very well. Best news of all, the car goes to a fellow Fchat member. I know, that he will take as good a care of her, as I did. Again, thank you all so much, you guy's are the greatest! WilliamR
William, I was glad to hear that you found an Fchat member to purchase your car. I wish you the best going forward and thank you for sharing your ownership adventure with us
Well William , I wish the relationship with your wife will in the end have proven to be the healthiest, solid, longest and loving one you had in your life after all ! So the next 15-20 years to come should/will be quite promising..
Glad the car will be with someone deserving. William, if you feel like reminiscing about some of your times with your 308 I reckon there'd be more than a few here who'd love to hear stories from your car's youth.
