My First Ferrari

dyerhaus · Oct 4, 2021

19633500GT said: ↑

I mean, I DID sell it to a guy in CA!

View attachment 3213897
Click to expand...

Hmm… wonder if it's the same car. I didn't think to get the serial, but his had the rear seat-delete option, and it looks like yours may have had it too? So, could be the same car!

19633500GT · Oct 5, 2021

dyerhaus said: ↑

Hmm… wonder if it's the same car. I didn't think to get the serial, but his had the rear seat-delete option, and it looks like yours may have had it too? So, could be the same car!
Click to expand...

Yup. #10400

Cool! He made it better after buying from me on BaT

dyerhaus · Oct 5, 2021

19633500GT said: ↑

Yup. #10400

Cool! He made it better after buying from me on BaT
Click to expand...

Well, the interior still needed a lot of attention, but the body and engine were fantastic. In fact, he decided not to sell and address the interior. I don't blame him, it's a good car!

SVanDyck · Oct 6, 2021

Wow. That car is beautiful. Much better condition than the 87 Mondial I just bought. Congratulations!

paulchua · Oct 6, 2021

dyerhaus said: ↑

I've been a car enthusiast my entire life, I'd assume most anyone reading this has as well. Like most kids in the 80s I had a poster of a Lamborghini Countach on my wall, I had a soft spot in my heart for wedge-shaped cars. I just thought nothing looked cooler, or more aggressive. When I was 17, I could easily identify any car on the road, but I grew up in a town in Texas that didn't have many cool cars. You were lucky to see a Porsche. But one day, I was jaywalking across a busy street (as teenagers do) and I passed behind this crazy, insane wedge-shaped car that I could not identify. I couldn't stop to fully absorb its wonder, so I tried to read the badge on the back—but it looked like some sort of "scribble" and I couldn't read it in passing. However, I thought I saw the Ferrari horse by the license plate.

In 1987, the internet wasn't a thing, so I couldn't just go home and do a quick Google search to discover what this beautiful wedge really was. I did, however, dig out all my Road & Track, Car and Driver, Motor Trend, and Automobile magazined and started going through all of them to see if I could find a picture of that car. No such luck. I tried describing this car to other car enthusiast friends, and people I'd meet at car events (which were far and few between where I grew up), but people kept telling my I had seen a Lamborghini, Lotus, or some weird kit car. I knew it was none of those. My search continued for years, but I could never get the car out of my mind.

About five years later, when I was 22, I was in a bookstore and picked up a large picture book covering Ferraris. Thumbing through the pages I gasped and stopped abruptly when I caught a glimpse of what appeared to be that elusive wedge-shaped car. I frantically flipped the pages back one by one until I found it. And there it was, a beautiful photo of this car that had captured my imagination years ago. It was a Dino 308 GT4.

I've wanted one of those ever since I was 17, and now I knew what it was. I certainly wasn't born to a wealthy family, and when these cars were trading hands for $15k to $20k, well that might as well have been a million dollars to kid making minimum wage. But, I realized the car wasn't out of reach, I just had to reach a better situation in life. So I tried, and tried, and tried, and tired, and as my life improved, the 308 GT4 just got further and further out of reach—it would seem the car was trying to keep me away!

Life goes on, and other priorities become more important. For me, for a while, it was playing in a local rock band with dreams of being a rock star. Not gonna lie, that was a fun six years of my life, but not exactly filled with many great cars. The band never went anywhere, and we eventually went our separate ways. Then I got married, and somehow landed a job that would become my career for the last 20 years. Moved to New York for a spell, and that really helped me "find myself" as the cliché goes. After four years of living in Manhattan, and not owning a single car, I felt empty inside. I'm a "car guy" for crying loud, why did I move to New York City??

I relocated to California, and it was finally time to get serious about cars. I fulfilled one life dream pretty quickly, and that was owning a Porsche. It was a Boxster that could have used a fresh coat of paint, a new top, and a new interior, but it ran and drove flawlessly. I kept that car for eight years and replaced it with a Porsche 911, which I still have today. But that damn 308 GT4 never left my head, it still lingered in the back of mind and every now and then would shout "hey, pay attention to me!" So I did.

I started searching for one, but now, those prices were at $40k to $45k, and that was double what I paid for my 911. I knew I'd have to save and find a way to make this work. Oh, but, wow—the market. They just kept going up. Every time I'd seen one for sale, it cost more than the last one I saw (and it wasn't always a better car). But I have enough Ferrari owning friends that always had one key piece of advice for me: "Buy the best one you can find." And I took that to heart.

After a couple of years of half-hearted searching, I decided to get very serious just a few months ago, back in August when I had a disappointing time at the Porsche Werks Reunion in Monterey (again), and an incredible time at Concorso Italiano in Monterey (again). I looked everywhere, spoke with people, placed bids on Bring A Trailer (but always lost), but I wasn't giving up. Finally, someone gave me the idea to go to a local Ferrari mechanic and see if he might know of any for sale. So I did. Turns out, he knew of a yellow one, and it was sitting right there. I looked at it, drove it, and then the seller decided he didn't want to sell it. Another strike out.

But then he called me again and said another customer is bringing his car in and he's interested in selling. I went back the next business day after that phone call, and the car was gorgeous. A solid red 1975 308 GT4 with a tan interior. I'll be honest, red isn't my first choice, but I wasn't going to let color stand in the way if it's a good car. And this was not a good car. It was a GREAT car. Everything works, it's in great condition, all the service is done, new tires, new suspension, new brakes, new muffler, etc., etc., etc. There was nothing wrong with this car. I spoke with the owner on the phone, and we made a deal. Met up with him the next day and I parted with my money, but gained an incredible car.

You see, aside from being in excellent condition, it's also the most well documented Ferrari I've ever encountered. All the service records are there from new—the first one dates back to June, 1976. Lots of extra memorabilia too, and a strange but cool little removable hood that goes over the clock that I never knew was a thing until I saw this car. More interesting, the original owner was a doctor who needed to be able to record his thoughts and ideas to a cassette tape while in the car. The dealer installed dictaphone and tape recorder are still there. And, for me, something even more special…

The car was repainted red quite some time ago, the original color was a gorgeous dark green. Which is something I will do in the next few years: put that car back to its original color. And since everything else about the car is very well sorted, it shouldn't take me terribly long to get it repainted. And, I even have photos of the car when it was still green. I can't wait to get that done!

For me, a man who will turn 52 this month, this was a life long dream that I finally fulfilled. A passion I've had since I was 17, and now almost 35 years later I own the car that had eluded me for so long. I couldn't be happier.

View attachment 3213030
View attachment 3213031
View attachment 3213032
View attachment 3213033
View attachment 3213034
View attachment 3213035
View attachment 3213036
View attachment 3213037
View attachment 3213038
View attachment 3213039
View attachment 3213040
View attachment 3213041
View attachment 3213042
Click to expand...

Beautiful car! Welcome!!!

dyerhaus · Oct 8, 2021

MondialJoe said: ↑

Wow. That car is beautiful. Much better condition than the 87 Mondial I just bought. Congratulations!
Click to expand...

Congrats on your Mondial - it's a Ferrari, so you did good!

Bryan Saba · Oct 8, 2021

19633500GT said: ↑

I mean, I DID sell it to a guy in CA!

View attachment 3213897
Click to expand...

Yes you did, and I'm that guy......did a lot of sorting out and now it runs like it should. Lots of power and pulls clean to red line. I really love the car and plan on getting the A/C working next, then new interior.

Its a hoot to drive, and because its not perfect, I really enjoy driving it like I stole it.

19633500GT · Oct 8, 2021

Bryan Saba said: ↑

Yes you did, and I'm that guy......did a lot of sorting out and now it runs like it should. Lots of power and pulls clean to red line. I really love the car and plan on getting the A/C working next, then new interior.

Its a hoot to drive, and because its not perfect, I really enjoy driving it like I stole it.
Click to expand...

I couldn’t remember your s/n on here

Happy you’re still at it Bryan. Miss that rig.

rocket50 · Oct 8, 2021

Congrats on the dream! That is something a lot of us can relate to personally!

You know, you could always get it wrapped back to the green color.

nicolaprince · Oct 14, 2021

dyerhaus said: ↑

I've been a car enthusiast my entire life, I'd assume most anyone reading this has as well. Like most kids in the 80s I had a poster of a Lamborghini Countach on my wall, I had a soft spot in my heart for wedge-shaped cars. I just thought nothing looked cooler, or more aggressive. When I was 17, I could easily identify any car on the road, but I grew up in a town in Texas that didn't have many cool cars. You were lucky to see a Porsche. But one day, I was jaywalking across a busy street (as teenagers do) and I passed behind this crazy, insane wedge-shaped car that I could not identify. I couldn't stop to fully absorb its wonder, so I tried to read the badge on the back—but it looked like some sort of "scribble" and I couldn't read it in passing. However, I thought I saw the Ferrari horse by the license plate.

In 1987, the internet wasn't a thing, so I couldn't just go home and do a quick Google search to discover what this beautiful wedge really was. I did, however, dig out all my Road & Track, Car and Driver, Motor Trend, and Automobile magazined and started going through all of them to see if I could find a picture of that car. No such luck. I tried describing this car to other car enthusiast friends, and people I'd meet at car events (which were far and few between where I grew up), but people kept telling my I had seen a Lamborghini, Lotus, or some weird kit car. I knew it was none of those. My search continued for years, but I could never get the car out of my mind.

About five years later, when I was 22, I was in a bookstore and picked up a large picture book covering Ferraris. Thumbing through the pages I gasped and stopped abruptly when I caught a glimpse of what appeared to be that elusive wedge-shaped car. I frantically flipped the pages back one by one until I found it. And there it was, a beautiful photo of this car that had captured my imagination years ago. It was a Dino 308 GT4.

I've wanted one of those ever since I was 17, and now I knew what it was. I certainly wasn't born to a wealthy family, and when these cars were trading hands for $15k to $20k, well that might as well have been a million dollars to kid making minimum wage. But, I realized the car wasn't out of reach, I just had to reach a better situation in life. So I tried, and tried, and tried, and tired, and as my life improved, the 308 GT4 just got further and further out of reach—it would seem the car was trying to keep me away!

Life goes on, and other priorities become more important. For me, for a while, it was playing in a local rock band with dreams of being a rock star. Not gonna lie, that was a fun six years of my life, but not exactly filled with many great cars. The band never went anywhere, and we eventually went our separate ways. Then I got married, and somehow landed a job that would become my career for the last 20 years. Moved to New York for a spell, and that really helped me "find myself" as the cliché goes. After four years of living in Manhattan, and not owning a single car, I felt empty inside. I'm a "car guy" for crying loud, why did I move to New York City??

I relocated to California, and it was finally time to get serious about cars. I fulfilled one life dream pretty quickly, and that was owning a Porsche. It was a Boxster that could have used a fresh coat of paint, a new top, and a new interior, but it ran and drove flawlessly. I kept that car for eight years and replaced it with a Porsche 911, which I still have today. But that damn 308 GT4 never left my head, it still lingered in the back of mind and every now and then would shout "hey, pay attention to me!" So I did.

I started searching for one, but now, those prices were at $40k to $45k, and that was double what I paid for my 911. I knew I'd have to save and find a way to make this work. Oh, but, wow—the market. They just kept going up. Every time I'd seen one for sale, it cost more than the last one I saw (and it wasn't always a better car). But I have enough Ferrari owning friends that always had one key piece of advice for me: "Buy the best one you can find." And I took that to heart.

After a couple of years of half-hearted searching, I decided to get very serious just a few months ago, back in August when I had a disappointing time at the Porsche Werks Reunion in Monterey (again), and an incredible time at Concorso Italiano in Monterey (again). I looked everywhere, spoke with people, placed bids on Bring A Trailer (but always lost), but I wasn't giving up. Finally, someone gave me the idea to go to a local Ferrari mechanic and see if he might know of any for sale. So I did. Turns out, he knew of a yellow one, and it was sitting right there. I looked at it, drove it, and then the seller decided he didn't want to sell it. Another strike out.

But then he called me again and said another customer is bringing his car in and he's interested in selling. I went back the next business day after that phone call, and the car was gorgeous. A solid red 1975 308 GT4 with a tan interior. I'll be honest, red isn't my first choice, but I wasn't going to let color stand in the way if it's a good car. And this was not a good car. It was a GREAT car. Everything works, it's in great condition, all the service is done, new tires, new suspension, new brakes, new muffler, etc., etc., etc. There was nothing wrong with this car. I spoke with the owner on the phone, and we made a deal. Met up with him the next day and I parted with my money, but gained an incredible car.

You see, aside from being in excellent condition, it's also the most well documented Ferrari I've ever encountered. All the service records are there from new—the first one dates back to June, 1976. Lots of extra memorabilia too, and a strange but cool little removable hood that goes over the clock that I never knew was a thing until I saw this car. More interesting, the original owner was a doctor who needed to be able to record his thoughts and ideas to a cassette tape while in the car. The dealer installed dictaphone and tape recorder are still there. And, for me, something even more special…

The car was repainted red quite some time ago, the original color was a gorgeous dark green. Which is something I will do in the next few years: put that car back to its original color. And since everything else about the car is very well sorted, it shouldn't take me terribly long to get it repainted. And, I even have photos of the car when it was still green. I can't wait to get that done!

For me, a man who will turn 52 this month, this was a life long dream that I finally fulfilled. A passion I've had since I was 17, and now almost 35 years later I own the car that had eluded me for so long. I couldn't be happier.

View attachment 3213030
View attachment 3213031
View attachment 3213032
View attachment 3213033
View attachment 3213034
View attachment 3213035
View attachment 3213036
View attachment 3213037
View attachment 3213038
View attachment 3213039
View attachment 3213040
View attachment 3213041
View attachment 3213042
Click to expand...

Ehi, what a nice story, it's quite similar to mine - only difference is I got "infected" at about 4 or 5 years old in '81 or '82.
I am very glad to see how happy you are, because 3 months ago I went through the same experience and I know what it means, tha bad part of seeing your dream car running away all the time because of the increasing prices, and the feeling you get once you get the keys in your hand!
If you want to read mine: https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/how-to-become-the-happiest-person-in-the-world.647322/
All the best and good luck with your fantastic car!
Nic

Kent Dellenbusch · Oct 14, 2021

dyerhaus said: ↑

I've been a car enthusiast my entire life, I'd assume most anyone reading this has as well. Like most kids in the 80s I had a poster of a Lamborghini Countach on my wall, I had a soft spot in my heart for wedge-shaped cars. I just thought nothing looked cooler, or more aggressive. When I was 17, I could easily identify any car on the road, but I grew up in a town in Texas that didn't have many cool cars. You were lucky to see a Porsche. But one day, I was jaywalking across a busy street (as teenagers do) and I passed behind this crazy, insane wedge-shaped car that I could not identify. I couldn't stop to fully absorb its wonder, so I tried to read the badge on the back—but it looked like some sort of "scribble" and I couldn't read it in passing. However, I thought I saw the Ferrari horse by the license plate.

In 1987, the internet wasn't a thing, so I couldn't just go home and do a quick Google search to discover what this beautiful wedge really was. I did, however, dig out all my Road & Track, Car and Driver, Motor Trend, and Automobile magazined and started going through all of them to see if I could find a picture of that car. No such luck. I tried describing this car to other car enthusiast friends, and people I'd meet at car events (which were far and few between where I grew up), but people kept telling my I had seen a Lamborghini, Lotus, or some weird kit car. I knew it was none of those. My search continued for years, but I could never get the car out of my mind.

About five years later, when I was 22, I was in a bookstore and picked up a large picture book covering Ferraris. Thumbing through the pages I gasped and stopped abruptly when I caught a glimpse of what appeared to be that elusive wedge-shaped car. I frantically flipped the pages back one by one until I found it. And there it was, a beautiful photo of this car that had captured my imagination years ago. It was a Dino 308 GT4.

I've wanted one of those ever since I was 17, and now I knew what it was. I certainly wasn't born to a wealthy family, and when these cars were trading hands for $15k to $20k, well that might as well have been a million dollars to kid making minimum wage. But, I realized the car wasn't out of reach, I just had to reach a better situation in life. So I tried, and tried, and tried, and tired, and as my life improved, the 308 GT4 just got further and further out of reach—it would seem the car was trying to keep me away!

Life goes on, and other priorities become more important. For me, for a while, it was playing in a local rock band with dreams of being a rock star. Not gonna lie, that was a fun six years of my life, but not exactly filled with many great cars. The band never went anywhere, and we eventually went our separate ways. Then I got married, and somehow landed a job that would become my career for the last 20 years. Moved to New York for a spell, and that really helped me "find myself" as the cliché goes. After four years of living in Manhattan, and not owning a single car, I felt empty inside. I'm a "car guy" for crying loud, why did I move to New York City??

I relocated to California, and it was finally time to get serious about cars. I fulfilled one life dream pretty quickly, and that was owning a Porsche. It was a Boxster that could have used a fresh coat of paint, a new top, and a new interior, but it ran and drove flawlessly. I kept that car for eight years and replaced it with a Porsche 911, which I still have today. But that damn 308 GT4 never left my head, it still lingered in the back of mind and every now and then would shout "hey, pay attention to me!" So I did.

I started searching for one, but now, those prices were at $40k to $45k, and that was double what I paid for my 911. I knew I'd have to save and find a way to make this work. Oh, but, wow—the market. They just kept going up. Every time I'd seen one for sale, it cost more than the last one I saw (and it wasn't always a better car). But I have enough Ferrari owning friends that always had one key piece of advice for me: "Buy the best one you can find." And I took that to heart.

After a couple of years of half-hearted searching, I decided to get very serious just a few months ago, back in August when I had a disappointing time at the Porsche Werks Reunion in Monterey (again), and an incredible time at Concorso Italiano in Monterey (again). I looked everywhere, spoke with people, placed bids on Bring A Trailer (but always lost), but I wasn't giving up. Finally, someone gave me the idea to go to a local Ferrari mechanic and see if he might know of any for sale. So I did. Turns out, he knew of a yellow one, and it was sitting right there. I looked at it, drove it, and then the seller decided he didn't want to sell it. Another strike out.

But then he called me again and said another customer is bringing his car in and he's interested in selling. I went back the next business day after that phone call, and the car was gorgeous. A solid red 1975 308 GT4 with a tan interior. I'll be honest, red isn't my first choice, but I wasn't going to let color stand in the way if it's a good car. And this was not a good car. It was a GREAT car. Everything works, it's in great condition, all the service is done, new tires, new suspension, new brakes, new muffler, etc., etc., etc. There was nothing wrong with this car. I spoke with the owner on the phone, and we made a deal. Met up with him the next day and I parted with my money, but gained an incredible car.

You see, aside from being in excellent condition, it's also the most well documented Ferrari I've ever encountered. All the service records are there from new—the first one dates back to June, 1976. Lots of extra memorabilia too, and a strange but cool little removable hood that goes over the clock that I never knew was a thing until I saw this car. More interesting, the original owner was a doctor who needed to be able to record his thoughts and ideas to a cassette tape while in the car. The dealer installed dictaphone and tape recorder are still there. And, for me, something even more special…

The car was repainted red quite some time ago, the original color was a gorgeous dark green. Which is something I will do in the next few years: put that car back to its original color. And since everything else about the car is very well sorted, it shouldn't take me terribly long to get it repainted. And, I even have photos of the car when it was still green. I can't wait to get that done!

For me, a man who will turn 52 this month, this was a life long dream that I finally fulfilled. A passion I've had since I was 17, and now almost 35 years later I own the car that had eluded me for so long. I couldn't be happier.

View attachment 3213030
View attachment 3213031
View attachment 3213032
View attachment 3213033
View attachment 3213034
View attachment 3213035
View attachment 3213036
View attachment 3213037
View attachment 3213038
View attachment 3213039
View attachment 3213040
View attachment 3213041
View attachment 3213042
Click to expand...

A wonderful story indeed. I'm sure many can relate here amongst our Ferrari family.

Rexcat458 · Oct 14, 2021

Congratulations on fulfilling your dream to own a Ferrari! Your dream sounds very similar to my own quest for a Prancing Horse…

My passion for Ferrari began 43 years ago. I was just out of high school driving a beater car that should have been in the breakers yard. I was living behind a Ferrari dealer at the time and I drove by the dealership multiple times everyday as I made my sales calls.

I kept up with Ferrari through the years and I was keen on following their F1 racing programme. I married a few years later and I set about building my business. Through the years, Ferrari was always on my mind.

I spent 33 years driving SonderKlasse Mercedes-Benz cars and when I retired a couple of years ago, I bought my first Ferrari, a 2015 458 Italia. All I can say is it was worth the wait!!! The gods at Maranello reached for the stars with the 458 and the result of their efforts was nothing short of epic!

Enjoy your Ferrari and best wishes to you and yours! Here’s a photo of my Prancing Horse…

Image Unavailable, Please Login

Cheers!

Conversations

Alerts

My First Ferrari

dyerhaus Formula Junior
Owner Silver Subscribed

19633500GT F1 World Champ
Rossa Subscribed

dyerhaus Formula Junior
Owner Silver Subscribed

SVanDyck Formula Junior

paulchua Cat Herder
Lifetime Rossa Owner

dyerhaus Formula Junior
Owner Silver Subscribed

Bryan Saba Rookie

19633500GT F1 World Champ
Rossa Subscribed

rocket50 Formula 3
Silver Subscribed

nicolaprince Formula Junior

Kent Dellenbusch Formula Junior
Silver Subscribed

Rexcat458 Formula Junior

Share This Page

My First Ferrari

dyerhaus Formula Junior Owner Silver Subscribed

19633500GT F1 World Champ Rossa Subscribed

dyerhaus Formula Junior Owner Silver Subscribed

SVanDyck Formula Junior

paulchua Cat Herder Lifetime Rossa Owner

dyerhaus Formula Junior Owner Silver Subscribed

Bryan Saba Rookie

19633500GT F1 World Champ Rossa Subscribed

rocket50 Formula 3 Silver Subscribed

nicolaprince Formula Junior

Kent Dellenbusch Formula Junior Silver Subscribed

Rexcat458 Formula Junior

Share This Page

dyerhaus Formula Junior
Owner Silver Subscribed

19633500GT F1 World Champ
Rossa Subscribed

dyerhaus Formula Junior
Owner Silver Subscribed

paulchua Cat Herder
Lifetime Rossa Owner

dyerhaus Formula Junior
Owner Silver Subscribed

19633500GT F1 World Champ
Rossa Subscribed

rocket50 Formula 3
Silver Subscribed

Kent Dellenbusch Formula Junior
Silver Subscribed