Interesting, but I don't think you could draw any conclusion from that one, which is an extreme example. It is said that it has been "asleep for 20 years", and we know nothing of its history, which is too bad, actually, as I would have an important matter to solve. This is a strange car...where did she come from? - for a start, which market version is it? It has the "long nose", and the rear bumper of the catalysed cars (hot air extraction slot, rearwards pushed grill that makes the exhausts tip look shorter) but seems it has been "europeanised somewhat" as it has european rear-view mirrors and small round side indicator repetitors behind the front wheels. Could be either an US Car imported to Europe (the shop seems to be in Belgium) or...a "Middle-East" variant. Two things makes me think it could very well be "Middle East": - if I am right in reading "69579" (? - in the tattoos etched on the glass - windows) then this car is a "blank" to me, and the US chassis numbers are well known. - the amount of corrosion, and its location, on the chassis members is unusual, especially around the lower front left A-Arm anchoring point. If the shop is indeed in Belgium, I wouldn't be surprised at all that this car is actually a "Middle East" variant, as Belgium is reputed to be a revolving door for cars from all origins: some good, some bad, some strange, some with question marks. And, as said above: why this unusual corrosion, especially on the chassis? What is this car and where has she spent her life? Why is it in Belgium now? Is her history tracable? Origin and history have probably more to do with her actual condition than any lack in rust-proofing. My two cents. Rgds Rgds
Quoting myself, after a quick exchange of E-Mels with "the network" (Danke, Matthias!): IF this car is actually 69579, THEN it is ZFFXA20JAP0069579, a Japanese-market version. Now in Belgium today... The key to its unusual condition, especially the frame being rusted, is in its history. Rgds
I have no idea about the history of this car. But the general shape of the body, it is not looking that bad. So what you will find under the black corrosion protection layer of a 30 year old car is always a surprise.
Guido, I have two 328s; both produced at the same time (GTS = 24 february 1989; GTB = 5 april 1989). Every two years, we have a mandatory technical inspection here in France; with the technician in charge, I go under my cars when they are on the lift. Both are in the North-East part of France, when the weather is not extreme, but can be rainy, snowy and cold in the autumn, winter, beginning of spring (Well, O.K, let's face it: generally, the weather is lousy here from the beginning of October to the end of March...) I maintain that I have NEVER seen a 328 chassis, and I have seen some, like the one in the video you have posted. Something in her history has been unusual with that car. Furthermore, it is in a Belgian shop. Don't get me wrong: I have nothing against Belgium, I'm living close to it and part of my family actually lived in Brussels. BUT while you might actually find very good cars in Belgium, you might also find very disrepectable ones: Belgium is an entry point in Europe for a lot of cars, and SOMETIMES (= not always, but sometimes) acts like a big "washing machine" for cars of dubious origins. One thing I have learned with Ferraris: one border crossed in its life: beware! Condition is important, but history must be irreprochable A car coming from the other side of the world? What is that car doing here and why? Condition is important, but history must be absolutely perfect. I have lost count of the cars I have seen advertised here as "damage and accident free", but saw sold in Japan with "damage repaired from collision". (I have one silver japanese GTB in mind, and my friend Bertrand knows which one I'm thinking about: advertised in Japan as having "front collision damage, repaired"; since she has arrived in Europe and advertised for sale, the "front collision damage" has mysteriously disappeared in every add... BEWARE OF THE CROSS-BORDERS WASHING MACHINE: take extra care, do not compromise on the history) I maintain (this is my opinion, but I stick to it) that the corrosion on the chassis of this car is absolutely not typical; even abnormal. Whereas I am the first to admit that 328s might rust (see my previous post) this one is an extreme example and something has gone wrong in the history - and maintenance - of that car. Rgds
Aaaaaaand...being the nice guy that I am, I even have the solution to all their problems... https://www.leboncoin.fr/equipement_auto/2186210104.htm A brand new "NOS" 308 and 328 chassis (up to 328s # 76626, before the suspension modifications). "Only" 12.000 euros (no affiliation or interest with the seller...no dog in this race) It's even close to the French/Belgian border... Better clear its provenance first, before stamping any "VIN" on it...otherwise, the factory Police, well... Rgds
There goes our good reputation as Belgian car owners.......luckely we have good beer, nice chocolate and good working fuse boards ! But you are right at some point. Cars on the south side of our country are usually poorly maintained. Therefore its beter to buy on the north or east side.
Not exactly my point: Belgium is a hub: a country in the middle of Europe, where most people speak at least three different languages, sometimes more. Situated beetween France, the Neederlands, Germany, close to England, and with great harbors : Belgians are used to deals: imports, exports, buy and sell. For Ferraris, especially the 3x8s, many cars sold nowadays in Belgium where not sold new by Garage Francorchamps. My point is that for ANY country, with Ferraris, you have to be extra careful if the advertised car was sold new in a different country than the one in which she is sold now. I have seen a number of Ferraris with a question mark on their history sold that way, to "clear" the question mark. As for the car in the video, again: that degree and that location of corrosion is not at all typical of a 328. As it is a Japanese-market car, which is now "rejuvinated" in Belgium, after a 20 years sleep, I have a strong guess that the amount and location of corrosion is tied to her history. It would be nice to know a bit more; without this information, and as shown, the only thing that can be said about this car is that the amount and location of corrosion is out-of-the-ordinary. (and you can also question the amount of money that will be necessary to bring her back in shape...doesn't seem to make much sense to me) Rgds
Some have been "lost", as in, packed away somewhere never to be seen again. The same US 328 GTB's come up for sale. Rarely do unknown models come on the market. A few have been salvaged, I think they are in the registry.
