'75 GT4 (prior post) - May not be many records - but oh, is there a history.

Not sure how to append to my initial thread, or post a photo of the car in question.... but

Thanks to all the F-Chat folks who replied to my question about the 75 GT4 or 308 purchase. The comments on the aesthetics was helpful, and the recommendations as to " doing your homework", "ensure books/records" couldn't have been more true. Here's the lesson I have learned " DON'T BUY ANYTHING WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING THE HISTORY, AND SUPPORTED BY RECORDS".

This car looks really good, and was advertised as a "10K mile original". Original Paint, Original interior. They are asking over $30K -- definitely top of the market. I thought, OK for a really clean, cool looking car.

I found a very knowledgeable expert who examined the photos with me over the phone - and pointed out several things (incorrect wheels, trunk carpet missing and appearing to be repainted, air intake and metal housing missing from engine, some engine areas retouched, cracked rear window, and overall not trusting that the paint was original)...there had to be a story untold by the restoration shop consigning the car.

Based on that I pressed the shop to call previous owners to inquire about such oddities with an "original, low miles car".

Surprise, surprise. Engine fire, prior owner dissatisfied with the repairs or cause o

f the problem...or something -- lawsuit which held the car hostage for apparently years.

All this for $30K....No way. No telling how the repairs were done to cause such an issue between owner and repair shop.

I don't think the restoration shop had done THEIR homework either... fooled by the looks of the car and not up front by the owner either...they have returned the car to the owner, and will not be representing it on their site. I think I have learned my lesson, too. No matter what the car looks like.... records rule!

Now knowing the history -- good luck getting over $20K ! despite the flash.