Collectibility - which Ferrari to keep?

Altho' the Barchetta is theoretically a Limited Edition and therefore rarer car I'd keep the BB not only because it has a roof (!) but also as emissions rules become tougher my feeling is older classics by age will be treated better than newer as its an easier identifier for governments - 'heritage bla bla bla'

 

Wow, tough question.

I have always said that the 550 Barchetta is one of the most beautiful and collectible modern Ferraris. But a 365 GT4/BB, that's a really collectible one too.

They made less of the 365 GT4/BB compared to the 550 Barchetta. Plus when you look at the production numbers of the families 365BB/512BB/512BBi vs. 550/550 Barchetta/575/Superamerica the Boxer family has much much fewer examples.

Finally, I consider the carbed Boxers the last analog Ferraris so that's another plus for the Boxer. (To me anyway.)

We may not see anything like the Boxer platform for a long time or ever again, but the front engine V-12 is going to be around for a while.

Keep the Boxer.

 

The Boxer will make you money.

 

I never saw the appeal of the Barchetta or Superamerica - being that they're totally open - but the Boxer is a legit historic Ferrari supercar. I had a poster of a yellow over black Boxer in my room when I was in high school. Unfortunately out of my league now.

So it would be a no brainer for me. I'd keep the BB. If you GAVE me a Barchetta, I'd sell it and get something else, like a manual 599.

 

365 hands down

 

Nice choice to have. What will be worth more in the future...who knows, flip a coin! Go back 20 years and who would have thought 246/330s etc. would be worth what they are today?

Personally I'd go for the 365. First Ferrari I saw in the flesh and have never stopped wanting one. I'd also like a 550, but not as much.

That said, I'm sure there are as many people who would vote the other way.

Pick the one that best fits the driving you do...

 

If it's -only- for an investment why not sell both and make a better investment?

If it's also about enjoying the car, keep the one you like the most.

 

You have 2 truly great Ferrari Cars. Both have collect ability written all over their heritage. I made out the first time around selling the next to the last ( not Vin #) new in Europe as the importer of 84 512 BBi after driving it for a few yrs. Sold 6 mo before the fall of the Japan's Market. Yes Collector cars do follow markets. Unless $$ is needed I personally would keep both. Still kick myself for selling my 72 Dino purchased in 73 (sold poorly in those Yrs) Sold it in 85 for $55,000. Spent 38,000 delightful miles driving it. Still miss it! None of this Garage queen stuff, none of this repaint stuff=carfax baloney( dealers don't). None of the jewelry stuff on front fenders. Just real purpose cars. Take care of them, repair when necessary, do it well!

 

365BB is the only rational choice, here.

 

Without any doubt... keep the BB.

 

I would go along with the majority and keep the Boxer, but I suspect that you know something that most of your advisors without experience of these particular cars don't!

If you come out on a cool morning, the Barchetta will doubtless start easily and soon become completely driveable, smoothly changing gear and behaving much like any modern car.

On the other hand, the carburettored Boxer probably needs 5 minutes or so to warm up a bit before you can drive it anywhere. Second gear will probably be a no-no and the suspension will rattle and groan for up to 10 miles. when the fluids and bushes have warmed.

However, once warm, the Boxer will fly through a long fast bend in a sublime way and in many respects behave like a very highly powered go-kart! It takes a bit more effort but no doubt rewards in spades!

 

The boxer seems like the rational choice to keep-they didn't make many of the carb cars and they're probably not making any more ha ha.

That said, I like older cars and can work on them so I'm biased. Your 550 is very unique for a newer Fcar and that's where I'd question how much weight to put on collectibility/future value-both of these cars are only going to get harder to get so regardless of which is a better long term financial move the one you sell is going to be hard to replace, possibly very hard to replace in the future.

 

First reaction is the Boxer. However...

How many V12 spider Ferrari’s are out there for “reasonable” money? None that I can think of. So an argument could be made for the Barchetta.

-F

 

It actually surprised me the 550 was in the same ballpark.
I don't get the prices on "new collectables" like a 458 speciale.

 

Is this a trick question? The BB is the winner here. Send that 550 down the road.

 

Which car do you like to drive? I once owned a '67 330 GTC and a 550 Maranello. The old banger was a hoot to drive. Very old school, massive understeer followed by massive oversteer. But more and more, I found myself reaching for the Maranello keys. The good news came when I sold both. My huge loss on the Maranello was more than offset by my gain on the 330. Sometimes even a blind pig...

 

I'm having a hard time believing that a 550 is a collectible Ferrari.

 

I thought anything that runs is a collectible in Montana.

 

I would sell the one which you make most profit on in the current market (assuming you have had them for a decent period of time ).

The one you are left with will no doubt be a great investment over the long term.

If you dont care about the above then just keep the BB.

 

The 365 BB is a proper classic handmade Ferrari. The 550 is a chopped-top version of a relatively mass produced modern car, has no more power than a standard 550, and drives worse due to structural compromises.

If you offered me the choice, on a long-term free loan (meaning I couldn't make a profit or loss on purchase), I'd take the 550, because it's got no roof and is more modern.

If I had to take a punt on one rising in value: nobody knows, but I'd say maybe the 550 because there's more new money than old money.

 

That's my thought as well...mostly because I don't think either is going to be truly collectible. If the 365 were, it would be already. "Analog"....pffft....the next generation of car collectors show little interest in analog, nor was the 365 a bedroom poster car for very many of them.
So if this is about the money, there better options to consider.

 

365!

 

The BB without even blinking. One of my favorites!