Ferrari Barn find today

Dave, was that particular Cobra purple?

 

I would agree. I had my own "barn find" in Switzerland: A 64 (?) 250 GTE for about $ 4k. I couldn't believe it. Problem was: It was missing engine, transmission, axles and wheels. If you restore all that you end up right where a running one is sold for. And you don't have the hassle of getting it here.

 

I would never take on a restoration project with the idea that I would make, or even save, money. But I think the process of restoring a car---creating order out of chaos, bringing the dead back to life---would be a lot of fun, with the added benefit of ending up knowing every nut, bolt, hose and wire of the car intimately. In fact, it has long been my plan to get a restoration project when I have the garage space, simply because I want to have the experience of restoring a car. My tentative target is an old Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider or Sprint, but if the stars had aligned correctly, I could see taking on something like that GT4. (I am becoming a big fan of the GT4--the more I see and learn about them, the more I like them.)

 

Sure,it certainly does depend on what you buy the car for. And,doing the work yourself. Personal knowledge of the cars,etc....

I just saw an Alfa Spider For Sale in Elmhurst. (Forgot what year/model) But,I believe it was a mid '70's car. Red with Black interior. It was rough....VERY Rough. The guy was asking $2500.00 Which,would have probably been O.K.,if the car wasn't a complete Rust Bucket. Every panel was totally Rusted...and,thats just what you could see! It wasn't worth anything,as far as I was concerned. But,to someone else? It was gone in a couple of days. Bought by either a very knowledgable Alfa guy. Or,someone who is now finding out that He bit off way more than He can chew....

 

Wow! You know the car. Yes it was purple. Fill me in, where's the car now?
Dave

 

Dave,

I don't know where it is now, but I sure knew it then. It actually had a 428 motor rather than the 427 which was legitimate (built that way as were many wide body Cobras) and that meant instead of 500hp or whatever it had 450hp.

I was 22 years old about the time you bought your Jensen (was it orange?)and I worked for International in 1979. At one point we had the owner's (Leo Keating) 250 SWB vintage racer, a 500TRC, a 330 GTC, a 250 Boano, a 410 SA and a bunch of Rolls Royce Phantom IIIs, one of the aluminum XK 120s (first 50 cars), the fastest MG TC vintage racer in the world (7500 rpm redline out of an XPAG), and a couple of Alfa Giuliettas.

I have got to find the serial numbers of all of these cars and post them.

As for the purple Cobra, one day I took it out for a ride after we had done some work on it. I went out Rt. 120 to the west and came to a traffic light west of the mall with clear road ahead. Some pimple faced youth with a big block Chevelle (I think Chevelle) rolled up next to me and curled his lip. I said "want to run it?" and he sneered. The light changed and I was in gone before he knew what had happened.

International was a pretty cool place from 1977 to 1982 or so. BTW, we paid $35k for that Cobra in 1979 and it was immediately for sale at $80k or so.

 

Looks like I'm a little younger than you (by a year). I was 21 when I bought the Jensen. It was White/Black and was a fresh trade-in when I bought it. My trade-in was a 73' Triumph GT6.
International Imports was a real candy store alright. I used to hang out there looming over toys I couldn't afford.
Wish we would have met at the time. I would have given a right arm for a ride in that Cobra.
Dave

 

Chelle -- any luck with the pix ?? Were you able to visit "the barn" this weekend ??

Also, is this you & Kim on the "country drive" from Sunday ?? See thread http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27755 . I had planned to show up, but dang errands got in the way. You the one in red or black ??

 

If you could PM me the info on the Ferrari and the Maserati I am interested in both. Do you have any pictures of the Maserati?

 

Any updates from "the Barn" ??

 

...still waiting for the updates here as well...

 

Hello...I never received that email....do you still have the pics??

 

Bump... Chelle -- any news on the barn finds ??

- Manuel

 

Yes,most definitely! I would still be interested in the 'Vette Convertible,and the 308GT4 Dino.... That I "P/M'd" you about....

 

Hey,I can understand why this guy is a terrible Flirt... But,hit the old fart on the head with a wrench,and he should quit bugging you...

Yes,I imagine that you are pretty busy with that GTO,to get it ready for Spring. I can't wait to see it!

 

Chelle


Anything new to report on the find or on the ( ) terrible flirt...

 

I am still interested in the Dino and the Maserati BiTurbo.....so please keep me updated, and I would love to see pictures. Thank you.

 

Is the GT4 for sale? I am very interested and would love to come up to Chicago this weekend if it is available. Please email me at: [email protected]

 

I talked to the owner today. (Thanks, Chelle for the contact info.)
He confirmed that the GT4 is for sale and that it did need a water pump. (The original one disappeared when he sent it out to be rebuilt, and he never got another one.)
He also told me that the body was in pretty good shape, but that the interior was "rough".
And now for the bad news: he wants $15,000 for it. In other words: he wants it more than I do.

It's too bad, because I was hoping to stop being a lurker here and more of a contributor. So if any one is aware of a 308 in need of a rescue (at a reasonable price!) , please contact me.

Tom

 

Chelle
If you get a chance inquire on the porsche please (pm me) I might have something