Hello everyone, I’m looking at a 328 GTS for sale that hasn't been driven in over a decade and the key is lost. What can I do to get another key, and how expensive is it. Has anyone done this before? Also is it possible to Hotwire the car just to see if it turns over? The motor isn’t seized but i would like to try to see if it turns over. Thanks.
If the doors are not lock, get in and remove the ignition key cylinder and bring it to a locksmith and they should be able to make a key for it but hopefully you’ll find the original keys.
Here a thread talkin about how to remove the whole thing including the whole steering column: https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/308-ignition-key-issues-diagram-needed.378336/#post-141654755
They are old simple cars so, although I've never done it, it should be fairly easy to hot wire. It might be better though to just turn the engine by hand to do a leak down test. The issue is why it has been parked all of this time and the possibility that it was parked because the valve timing is badly off from a slipped timing belt. Changing the tumbler seems like a pretty big project if you are just looking at the car prospectively. If you really want to do it, it might be best for the locksmith to make a "house call" to the car rather than disassembling stuff. There are lots of threads on bringing long dormant 3x8s back to life. Nothing special, just the usual warnings/issues/problems. Hopefully it all works out. Best wishes. Keep us posted.
I would have the car towed to a proper Ferrari mechanic , and let him go through the entire car , included getting your key / door lock sorted out. Like the OP said, this car could have the timing way off. Hope fully the motor has not been damaged because of a timing belt failure. I hope you get the car for a really good deal , and take that extra money and get the car fully sorted so you can start to experience a true driving machine . Keep us informed Thank you
Gino, Thanks for the reply. Is has 15k original miles. Hasn’t been driven in many years as previously mentioned. Probably will need a full rebuild on the engine and rest of the car. Any idea what it’s worth as a project? Going to see again today. Thanks. ino
Also would he interested in any insight of the value of this car. The motor isn’t seized. It rolls and the crankshaft moves, even in gear. Thanks
What year is the car, does it have ABS, pictures of the exterior and interior may help too. 15k original miles sounds like a garage queen but how was it stored —- this could effect the interior and exterior. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
1987, don’t know if it has abs. The inheritor of the car doesn’t know anything. No service records, no books, no keys, nothing. Apparently the timing belt was done 10 years ago but the car still wasn’t driven after and was left sitting until now.
Without a PPI and the sketchy history of the car, I would not make an offer and instead, find another car with a better pedigree. In a worst case scenario, the cost of repairs for such a car could greatly exceed the purchase price. What draws you to this car?
Looking at this car as a solid project. Might need a lot but not too worried. Can’t imagine it’s worth too much as is.
Value of the car depends on the seller and buyer. Is the seller trying to sell it as a concourse/time capsule car? If so then the asking price will be high. I don’t want to throw out figures not knowing the car but the interior does not look like a project car...though you need to Regler the interior mirror—-I wonder why that came off. I assume the engine bay looks clean too. A similar car with 35k plus miles was offered for $78k to me about three years ago. I passed and bought one for $65k but the interior was not as pristine but knew the history of both cars. Yours has less miles but you don’t know the history. Will you work on it yourself? If not then expect $10k-18k on service/repairs to get it in service. Just my two cents. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
I will work on it myself. The owner inherited the car from a deceased family member. Also, the drivers seat left bolster is heavily cracked. Dashboard steering wheel is very dirty and might need replacement.
You will be able to keep the service/repair cost down by quite a lot if you can do it yourself. I guess the question you need to ask yourself is how bad do you want the car, what is your budget, what is the asking price—-is it what you want to pay. It is not sorted so this is the unknown but then again, these cars are all old and anything can break or go out on them. Did you check what the going price is on a similar car? Your dilemma is that it sat for a long time but i think it will be ok, especially if you can work on the car. Good luck and let us know what you decide. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
It’s kinda works both ways, you buy a cheap car and spend a lot to get it all sorted out or, buy a Decent car and spend a little to get it all sorted out. I kinda like the second option specially if I’m going to do the work, at least I know it is done the right way and have a piece of mind.
The owner does have a price in mind. Everyone does. They may think they have a $250k car sitting there. Write a check for $17,500 and see what happens. My daddy always told me to never be the first one with a price but in this case, you're kind of stuck.
