1978 308 GTS | FerrariChat

1978 308 GTS

Discussion in 'Ad Archives' started by Sledge4.2, Feb 2, 2015.

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  1. Sledge4.2

    Sledge4.2 F1 Rookie

    Oct 19, 2007
    4,779
    Marin
    Full Name:
    Geno
    #1 Sledge4.2, Feb 2, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  2. Sledge4.2

    Sledge4.2 F1 Rookie

    Oct 19, 2007
    4,779
    Marin
    Full Name:
    Geno
    I have owned the car for about 8 years. The reason for selling is simply that I find myself more drawn to Lamborghini, and am going to purchase a Diablo to go with my Jalpa. I have thought long and hard about just tucking this car away and waiting for the values to continue to rise, but have elected to offer it up for sale. I don’t need to sell the car at all, I just feel like I don’t use it enough to keep it. No low ball offers, I am looking for a fair market price on the car. My goal is an honest and fair transaction. This is a cool car. Everything done (good and bad) has been documented on this website. Prospective buyers search away….

    I will post a price in a few days, but wanted to put this out as a first step. Not trying to be coy, trying to figure a fair price.

    Next week, the car will be going in for a major service at San Francisco Motorsports in San Rafael, under the wrench of John Heim (former master Ferrari technician at Ferrari of San Francisco). I decided to list the car now, rather than after the major, as any prospective buyer can talk to John (and see the car), while the major is getting performed.

    This has been a wonderful car to own, the modifications (while not to everyone’s taste) has made this a stand-out car wherever I drive it. It just a beautiful piece of Italian machinery and I have been proud to own it.

    All the below work performed during my ownership, I have no records prior to my ownership.

    Engine / Transaxle
    Blows no smoke, and leaks no oil, pulls strong with no hesitation, carbs are perfectly sync’ed, and it fires right up and settles easily into an 800rpm idle. Valtellini Automobili (Rico) in Sausalito reportedly rebuilt the engine prior to my ownership, but I was never able to extract the records from him – I can put you in touch with him, he will remember the car. He owned it, and sold it to the gentleman I purchase the vehicle from. Powder coated cam covers (which might be the only non-easily mod to return to OEM)

    During a major 6 years ago, the mechanic put the cam covers on backwards and it seized a cam, resulting in bent exhaust valves. The cam cover was hand-honed, and it’s been running fine since, but I felt it important to disclose this.

    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/technical-q-sponsored-algar-ferrari/225944-seized-exhaust-cam.html

    One other issue: A few years ago, I pulled a tiny spring out of the transaxle when draining the oil. The car shifts fine (I have nothing to compare it to), but I have never run this to ground, and it will be fixed this week (whatever the issue is). Pretty sure it’s a broken shift detent spring. It will be fixed prior to sale.

    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/308-328/347633-transmission-part.html


    Spark/ Electrical:
    • Pertronix ignition with Blaster II coils (have all R1 and R2 points), advance mechanism serviced
    • Taylor Spirocore wires with OEM stock boots and caps – looks OEM
    • Distributor caps and rotors
    • Birdman fuse block
    • Battery (this month)

    Cooling system:
    The cooling system has been completely gone through, and it never overheats no matter the condition (granted its Northern Cal and it never gets too hot here).
    • Radiator recore
    • Expansion tank finished and repaired
    • Dual Spal fans (OEM included)
    • All hoses replaced (including the “long hose” in the frame)
    • Heater control valve
    • Pulled heater cores and replaced filters
    • Unobtainium thermostat bleed screw
    • Thermostat
    • Thermoswitch

    Fuel / Air System:
    Similarly the fuel system has been sorted.
    • All fuels hoses replaced including carb lines, cross overs, and filler neck
    • Rebuilt carbs with sealed bearings, including re-staking lead plugs
    • Plenty extra carb bits and pieces including bodies, linkage bits, and jets
    • Currently running 57 idles, no stumble through transition
    • Tapered euro mix screws
    • Fuel filter
    • Gutted airbox
    • Choke disconnected

    Wheels / Suspension
    • Fabled 17” Compomotives with Michelin Sport Pilots (90% tread left). Recent alignment. Rims are in perfect condition, save minor blistering of paint on one wheel due to brake fluid. Wheels are not available for a separate sale.
    • QA-1 Coilovers with Verrell “paperweights” (orginal Koni’s in hand)
    • Rebuilt front brake calipers
    • I have the original metric wheels, in “ok” condition mounted with tires (which I wouldn’t use)
    • CV joints repack and booted

    Exhaust:
    I run the mix screws about 4 turns out, so there is just a little burbling on overrun, and it just sounds great. I run the airpump off, with the cats removed 99% of the time. Then, to pass smog I put the pump back on, cats back on and its passes easily on the first run. The numbers indicate a clean running engine. I will deliver the car in whatever configuration you want. CA residents, I will smog it prior to delivery.
    • Tubi (no OEM exhaust)
    • Test pipes
    • Non-OEM and non-CA cats (sleeved for easy install)
    • Diverter valve (non OEM but operational)
    • I don’t think the smog pump is stock, I have the mounting arm but rest of hardware is non OEM, but works fine enough to pass CA smog
    • Rear diaper powder coated (a few nicks since)

    Interior:
    Overall the interior is a 7 or 8 out of ten. I have long toiled with re-skinning the car, but I cant, it smells so go and just fits me like a cool old Italian suit. The seats are worn, but in very presentable condition, but the door panels map pockets have some cracking. I love the originality of the interior, but its not perfect, and the headrests are black….
    • Head rests are black (long story…)
    • Eurospares repro aircon switch plate (have OEM)
    • Aircon inoperable but all parts believed to be in tact)
    • Hill gated shift lock
    • Hill aluminum dead pedal and passenger/driver heel plates (removeable)
    • Hill steel shift ball (no original)
    • Leatherique and sympathetic re-dye last year, soft and butter smooth
    • Target top in good condition with sleeve to hold behind seats
    • After market radio, with after market speakers (don’t have original speakers or grill)
    • Original carpet in great condition
    • Window are SLOW, interior lights are dim…actually all the lights are dim.
    • Minor wrinkle in aluminum gage surround
    • Horn not operable (should be easy fix)
    • Eurospares door sills (originals in hand, but need refinishing)

    Bodywork/Exterior:
    Last year, I had a car turn into me exiting the freeway, causing damage to the front fender and door. It was minor, and there was no frame or structural damage whatsoever. I was anal with the repair, and wound up respraying 90% of the car, basically everything but the rear deck. I used Anthony’s Auto Craft, which does all the repairs for Ferrari of San Francisco, and I am happy to have to you talk to them and/or take the car to them. Bottom line, the car is straight and true, and the paint is nearly perfect, no chips, no dents, and I haven’t driven it more than 20 miles since the repair. The repair bill was over $15k IIRC.
    • Rennspeed front European valence (original comes with car, needs refinishing)
    • MA Carbon front short tubes (pushes front bumper in)
    • Drilled/drained rear bumper tubes (there was no oil in them, so they were shot anyway), pushes rear bumper in
    • Rewired “diode” switch allowing parking lights on independent of main running lights.
    • Refinished rear emblems
    • Front louvers painted rosso corso (just realized I don’t think this is OEM)
    • Side window louvers painted all black (not OEM, car came this way to me)
    • Baby Vitaloni with California sticker in tact (have another set of Flag mirrors that came with car)
    • Repro Eurospares steering wheel (car came with wood Nardi, non-OEM)
    • Gas filler “bib” missing

    Other:
    • Full, well organized service records
    • Intermittently the speedo will jump around
    • Soft cotton cover with Ferrari logo (well worn)
    • Covercraft outdoor car cover (Car has always been under cover or garaged, never sat out with the cover on it).
    • Hill stainless gas cap
    • No jack or tool roll
    • Everything I have comes with the car
    • Extra oil filters
    • No spare tire
    • Reprinted manuals, and other literature

    Geno
     
  3. MrKazimi

    MrKazimi Karting

    Oct 7, 2014
    150
    Kuwait
    Full Name:
    Dr. Mohammad
    Pm sent 👍


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  4. Oengus

    Oengus F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed

    wow Geno...fantastic 308. I bet your really struggling to come up with a price? Best of luck........chas
     
  5. finnerty

    finnerty F1 World Champ

    May 18, 2004
    10,406
    Heck, with the market the way it is right now on 308's, I wouldn't even set a price.

    Just let the best offer prevail.

    Yours is a wonderful example, it should attract buyers willing to pay nicely for such a car.
     
  6. Casino Square

    Casino Square Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 21, 2004
    1,718
    Hong Kong / USA
    Full Name:
    Andrew
    Really nice car Geno. You deserve top dollar. Love the wheels.
     
  7. Casino Square

    Casino Square Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 21, 2004
    1,718
    Hong Kong / USA
    Full Name:
    Andrew
    ...really want to hear the story about the headrests...!! :)
     
  8. GT4 Joe

    GT4 Joe Formula Junior

    Oct 19, 2010
    833
    Dana Point, Ca.
    Full Name:
    Joe Williams
    Nice!
    Good luck with the sale.
    And yes, it is emotional. I just sold my 308GT4 and I am going through some withdrawal.

    Joe
     
  9. burmang

    burmang Rookie

    Sep 19, 2013
    26
    London
    Full Name:
    Gaurav Burman
    I am interested in purchasing this car, what is your email address.

    Kind regards
     
  10. 308gts79

    308gts79 Formula Junior

    Mar 20, 2007
    783
    San Francisco/Hong K
    Geno,
    Can't believe you are selling her, take her to the FOG drives before she goes to a good home, GLWS..
     
  11. rdefabri

    rdefabri Three Time F1 World Champ

    Jun 4, 2008
    33,571
    NJ
    Full Name:
    Rich
    That car is beautiful - GLWS!
     
  12. Jeff328

    Jeff328 Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 5, 2006
    2,293
    WI
    This is one of my favorite 308's on fchat. I love the way it looks, and all the mods are nice additions. Very, very nice.
     
  13. McRoswell

    McRoswell Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 10, 2008
    335
    Roswell, GA
    Full Name:
    Chris McAuliffe
  14. Jdubbya

    Jdubbya The $10 Trillion Man
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 28, 2003
    37,253
    PNW
    Full Name:
    John
    Ha, I noticed that too.

    Great looking car, best luck with the sale!!
     
  15. GrayTA

    GrayTA F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 25, 2006
    15,112
    Deep South
    Full Name:
    PDG
    Geno has been such a fixture in the 308 section that IF this sale goes through I hope he will not leave us.



    PDG
     
  16. MrKazimi

    MrKazimi Karting

    Oct 7, 2014
    150
    Kuwait
    Full Name:
    Dr. Mohammad
    Geno is an asset to the forum, I learned a lot.
    Most appreciated 👍


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  17. Sledge4.2

    Sledge4.2 F1 Rookie

    Oct 19, 2007
    4,779
    Marin
    Full Name:
    Geno
    Correction: Tires are Direzza's.

    Addition: Forgot to note steering rack was replaced

    Notes:
    1) no, not selling Compomotives separately, they go with the car
    2) principals only, no dealers, thank you.
     
  18. Irishman

    Irishman F1 Rookie

    Oct 13, 2005
    3,518
    Raleigh
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    For what it's worth I believe my '78 is very original and it has red front louvers. Can't tell if your mirrors are Californian but for certain mine is and I do not have a passenger side mirror.
     
  19. FiveLiterEater96

    FiveLiterEater96 Formula 3

    Nov 5, 2005
    1,842
    Illinois
    Full Name:
    Andrew
    Very tastefully done and beautiful to boot! GLWS!
     
  20. blu328gts

    blu328gts Formula 3
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    May 26, 2004
    1,152
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Full Name:
    //Rick
    Having been behind or around it on some drives, this is one very nice, well cared for 308GTS! Looks and sounds wonderful!! GLWS, Geno!!!
     
  21. AstonMartinDBS

    Jan 7, 2013
    4
    Chicago
  22. 1974gt4

    1974gt4 Formula 3
    Owner

    Sep 19, 2009
    1,496
    in my garage...
    Full Name:
    Dr. Italiani
    As stated in the 308 section, this is a unique opportunity.

    I have had the good fortune to hang out with this guy, he helped me tune some carbs, made some custom carb linkage mounting brackets for his Jalp, they are beautiful...

    ...everything he does is 1st class, the car clearly reflects his commitment to doing right by cars in general…he's a motorhead, and I think his mods reflect impeccable, good taste.

    This is an opportunity for a truly well cared for car that is close as most of us 308 owners will get to the GTO look.

    Right from every angle…stunning.

    We are all custodians. The next one will be lucky indeed.

    Best to you Geno.
     
  23. Bones2U

    Bones2U Formula Junior

    Jul 13, 2008
    814
    Ontario
    Has a price been set yet?
     
  24. don_xvi

    don_xvi F1 Rookie

    Nov 1, 2003
    2,934
    Outside Detroit
    Full Name:
    Don the 16th
    GLWS and congratulations to the lucky next owner.
    Anyone considering a 308, this is the one to get. I've never met Geno or seen the car in person, but have followed much of his meticulous tuning discussion in the 308 forum.
     

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