1976 GTB questions

I purchased a 1976 GTB in June. Paid substantially more than 29k. Car had 44k miles on it. It had just completed the regular belts and plugs etc. service. The car had been sitting largely undriven since 1990.

Things I have already run into: Had to rebuild both distributors and install new plug wires. Had to redo the carbs.....not a complete rebuild, but quite a bit of adjustments and resynching. Put on a new fuel pump. Have fixed a number of electrical problems such as rusted grounds. The electrical grounding problem is common in fiberglass cars. Shocks are worn and their bushings rattle, but can drive with this and causes no real problem.

If it is a california car it will have air pumps and a thermal reactor exhaust. Take a close look at those. Also, if it is going to be registered in California, it will have to be smog certified every two years, so the smog equipment needs to be working correctly. Otherwise, you should remove it all.

There are a lot of things that can go wrong with these, but the above issues are fairly common.

If these items check out ok, 29k is a fair price for a fiberglass car.

Mark

PS. The car is running perfectly now and is a real fun car to drive.

 

Suspension bushings, shocks, brakes, and all the hoses that you can't get to real easily.
The basic stuff you need to replace on a car that is 28 years old.
If you are not that familiar with a 308, then have someone qualified perform the PPI.

 

Is the gold glass car back on the market again???

 

He doesn't give a color or VIN.....hard to say.

Welcome Mr. V!

If you can give a little more info we might could help more. Not enough for anyone to 'bird dog' your deal, but some of us have been watching, and participating in the market for years....

Sounds like a fair enough price but as always its "condition, condition, condition".

Check 'curb appeal' and take it for a spin, but things like distributor recalibration (takes an out of the car special tool) and carb fiddling is part of the joy of ownership. Second gear synchros are to be babied when cold also, typically.........

Also, as noted the recent California legislation will be a big burden on the cars that operate there as the systems on these cars were very early approaches to smog control and were kind of 'iffy' at best. That was a raw deal for collectors out there.

IF fibreglass, which you did not mention, a slight premium is to be expected, but saying that I've seen glass cars with problems fall below $20K.....$29K for a cream puff is a good deal.

Give us some more details, we're here rooting for you to go buy it and drive the poop out of it!!!!!!

That gold/black car finally sold Judge, dunno what color this one is......

An FCA member has a red/black '77 steel car for sale at $29K. Boxer trim too!
Lower milage than this one apparently, 39K miles......

 

"I wish they all could be California cars......."
(Sung to the tune of the Beach Boys "California Girls" with Brian Wilson)

"rust free" is good, but check carefully because even the fibreglass bodied cars have steel components that were not protected at the Factory for corrosion.......

There are several site members with 1976 308GTB Fibreglass cars that can tell you lots of info, even recognize the one you are evaluating, if you wanna throw a VIN number out there....also there was a mixture of fibreglass and steelcars made during this period.

Dr.Barry W.: Are there any early steel cars that would have 1976 build dates? Maybe this car is not fibreglass..........where's a magnet???

 

Mr V. i just bought a nice 1977 GTB. ( steel ) check out the 308gtb register site, there is lots of good data there about GTB's and early gts cars. the serial number list is ok, but there is a typo, *20805* was "supposed" to be the earliest known steel GTB, my serial number is MUCH lower than that and its a steel USA spec car. the info about the 1976 production and the links page to other 308 1976-1977 info may be of some help for you. good luck with your purchase. Michael

 

Mr V. there is a visible seam at the "A" pillar on the roof of the car, this is a dead give away if it is indeed a 'glass car. most 1976 GTBs are glass, whereas glass '77's are rare. a 1977GTS is even more so.
best of luck in your search, i fit perfect in all of the exotics, but thats why i work on aircraft-- to fit in all those REALLY small spaces !

 

My 1977 308 GTB steel bodied car is serial #20783 and I know of at least one that is even earlier than that. Ferrari made glass and steel cars for a short period at the same time. My steel car with a production date of January 1977 has every part on it date stamped 76 and its serial number pre-dates a euro 1976 glass car that I know of. Remember this is not GM that pumps out 1000+ cars a day. The cars took many months to build so their production is all over the place.

 

20213 is a steel-bodied car; used to be light blue...

Did you get any pictures...? i'd love to see it...

 

point taken. the GTB registery has a cool list of serial numbers. mine is a steel, 1977 *20433* i have not posted it until now, as i didnt figure anyone would care one way or another.

 

I made an offer on a blue GTB in Atlanta. Fortunately, it was declined (I didn't want the car right now). I need a third Ferrari 8000 miles away from me like I need a hole in my head. Which my wife would probably have done if I got it.

Sigh.

Erik
Out of the market until he returns stateside...

 

Yes, it IS dark blue; but it WAS light blue years ago... Dark blue, now, though...

 

14,027 Posts....man, they must have swept the floor up and gave them all to me!



*sigh*

 

Blue, blue, my world is blue.........remember that one????

"Getting divorced must BUY sports car...."

I wonder why we don't see more of those....I know my ex's lawyer was REAL mad to sign off on a settlement that said FERRARI on my side of the list but she got a Honda Van....it fell to pieces last week.........

6' 5" you better move on up to a 348 Spyder there Mr.V!!!! I'm 6 3" and can't use a helment in it, but hey! That's what the roof is FOR! LOL!

I rolled in a truck once, that grinding on the road is an strange sound......

 

Do you have pictures?

Did it have RED cam covers and new belts/WP and an working AC with a rotary compressor. Tan/cream interior? If so, I think I know this car.

thanks