Hello, I had a question to pose to the members out there. Does a paint and /or interior color change effect the value or desiarability of a older classic Ferrari? Your thoughts? Thank you Victor
Hi Victor There is a thread about this if you do a search. From what i remember, the general thinking was yes, that is why it's call resale RED. As long as it is an original Ferrari age related color it's your own personal choice that counts.
It also depends on the model. My own 365 Boxer is red but was blue when new. I'm absolutely sure it would be harder to sell in its original hue. 330GTs and GTCs don't seem much affected by dark or metallic colours, I for one hate to see them in red. Just doesn't suit the lines at all. Finally, there is originality. If the paint is original, it will make the car more valuable, even if the original colour is a bit naff. Onno
Depends on the car - and how you are going to sell it; if the original colors look awful, they make the whole car look bad - I would change it. Masses like red, but then there are those like me, who think that red only looks good when used on a fire engine, no matter how original it might be. Best wishes, Kare
It depends a whole lot on what the reason to buy the car is. If you buy because you want it for yourself, you make it the way you like it best. With some cars, I'd say those with an important competition history or unique bodies, that would imply you aspire to be a long term owner. For trade, I'd wager a guess that originality especially on the vintage side weighs heavy and I'd leave it alone.
As I understand the FCA/Nacpfa position, as long as the colors, materials for interior, etc are correct for the car when new, they are OK. Red cars are like a**holes, everybody has one
I am an FCA judge and we're told the color needs to be a period type of color but does NOT have to be the color the car was born with I also agree TOO many red cars!
I love red cars, I have a few in red. You can't imagine how many people approach me all the time or email me, especially at Cavallino, to tell me that my 365 BB is the metallic blue that makes them want to re-paint their car in blue. I would think it's up to ones preference at the end of the day. I think your car in blue would be just as desirable and maybe be in higher demand because there aren't many 365 bb's in blue that trade hands. Look how the silver 365 BB did on EBay recently. As far as color not being original on a car, as long as its period correct it should not play a roll in the car's value. That has been the rule of thumb by most expert's standards. I for one still prefer originality to the max! Gene
Hi Victor, If memory serves, something like 85% of the (historical) production cars- say before 1990- from Ferrari were painted red. Obviously, the heritage factor- Ferrari's racing history and red being the national color in competition for Italy had a lot to do with that. An article in Cavallino #34 featured a 275 GTB/4 on the cover in one of the metallic colors that was quite beautiful. I think it was Pininfarina's position that other colors/metallic colors did a better job of displaying the many facets of their magnificent design. IMO, red can be beautiful. And there are certainly different reds from which to choose (GTO #4091 comes to mind). Obviously the owner/custodian is free to do what he/she pleases with a car. Having said that, I will never forget an incredible beautiful 275 GTB/4 in its original grigio metallico getting 'restored' and painted red for the purpose of showing. The owner (who I knew at the time) took a great original car and IMO destroyed some of the real intrinsic value in order to enter it in shows and win blue ribbons. His choice, and fair enough. But because I knew him and didn't agree, I felt a strong urge to punch him hard where his legs join his torso. Oh well
+1 If you consult the " history" books, almost no early red street cars. The everything red craze started in the 70s and has gotten progressivly worse. Some cars look better in colors other than red, ie 330 GT,GTC, GTS, 275GTS, 365GT, 365GTC4 400, etc. IMO only.
Kare and Bighorn, Agreed. I should have been more specific as I was thinking in terms of what I consider to be the 'production' models (or mass-produced, if you like) from the 1970's and 1980's.
