Greetings all!! Been a while. I am considering putting my 308 GT4 under the knife and doing a ground up restoration. Yes, I know I'll be upside-down on the car. I don't care. I want my car to be "brand new", as if I just pulled it off the line... with some modern upgrades. I'm hoping to get some good recommendations of shoppes that you have experience with or know are great for this project. Most appreciated!! Cheers.
Fast Cars in Redondo Beach. My 308 is there now, finishing up a complete restoration. Ask for Craig Calder and go check it out. Lots of other wonderful examples, in various stages of restoration/repair on property as well. @calder1 is also very generous to the local Ferrari community, having hosted several open houses, and is a corporate sponsor of FerrariChat. He's always giving of his time and proud to show exotic car fans what Fast Cars is capable of. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. PM me for more specifics and personal stories of my experiences with Fast Cars.
I feel I should mention the iron triangle: Fast, Cheap, Right. It sounds like you have to choose fast or cheap (here cheap is relative People who specialise in Ferraris etc. are not cheap so you may be better off elsewhere with a great body shop that would love the chance to work on a Ferrari. Do the engine and transmission yourself (it's not that hard and takes little space) or at a good engine shop. "To go upside-down, honourable it is. Foolhardy, yes, but honourable" (Yoda)
Paul Newman.... if you want to see his work, research what he did for Crowndog, his 308 is/was immaculate. He’s on this forum, FChat that is. Good luck with your project.
Feel free to PM me your contact information. I’d be happy to discuss some suggestions I have near where you live.
I cant give you a shop recommendation . However, I can recommend a good article about choosing a restoration shop. https://journal.classiccars.com/2020/09/16/how-to-pick-the-right-restoration-shop-for-your-project/?utm_source=infusionsoft-downshift&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ds&inf_contact_key=95b6b0a75e56aa4ad8088ef79abbc71ab7af0999dac2af6212784c39e05d2aef
I understand that you are OK with being upside down but are you ok with a $200K+ restoration bill? You said you wanted brand new and the number I quoted is well on the low end of what it takes.
Divide and conquer! Rent an engine hoist and invite a couple of friends over to pull the engine and interior. Send the body to a good body shop, engine and gearbox to a good engine shop, interior to a re-trim shop, body shop can replace seals etc. and put in the new interior, engine shop can put drivetrain back, do the suspension one corner at a time when you have time... still $30-40k and not "like new" but good for another few decades of enjoyment.
