ITS DONE, ITS DONE!!!!

Hi, I am Mark from west London.
After Lurking for a few weeks, just reading the links, picking up a few tips here and there
I now finally have the time to put some input to this great site!

I have finally finished my 1975 308 GT4 with its MOT pass last Thursday morning down at Verdies, she is finally on the road. Ye Ha!
For the last 4 months since the day we bought it, I have not stopped working on the car. Every second I was not working at my job, I was working on the car, (big thanks to the family for putting up with me) I scraped the whole underside sorted any rust problems and completely re undersealed the underside, the boot floor has been rebuilt, also the lower rear panel and rear fire wall. The front spoiler was smashed and hanging off, I had to strip down and rebuild the rusty seized brakes, new tyres, new cam belts, sorted the electrics, serviced and tuned the engine. I feel the car has been bought back to life, after its years of standing. After a final carb balance, machine polish all over, she was ready for a test drive.
I warmed the engine up for about 15 minutes, grabbed the wife and we were off.
What a feeling I have done a few Ferrari’s for customers in the past, but never thought I would be test driving one of my very own.

We are now checking out all the places to take the car, she is no show piece but for this summer she will do us a turn.
Although she is not that bad, I think a repaint is on the cards for next year, although many years working with exotic vehicles makes me a little apprehensive of removing all the paint as to just what I will find, but that’s another story.
For now I just want to drive!

 

Congrats! To get a thirty-one year old car through the MOT is a lot of work. Great job!

-Peter

 

Brilliant work!!
We want photos of your new girl!!

 

Nice one Mark.
Do you have before & after photos - that would be great. Is there a story behind why the car had been standing for years?

Get out there and enjoy the car, are you planning on going to Auto-Italia in a few weeks or the FOC concours? Prior to the proposed re-paint you can do lots of carefree miles without having to worry about stone chips etc...
What colour will you re-paint the car. A few years back there was a GT4 near to my home that was dark blue but with the lower panels in black - it looked the nuts!

 

Congrats Mark,
Welcome to the wonderfull world of GT4's. We are a supportive group, savouring the most affordable and fun Ferrari.

Gerrit
http://dino308gt4.com

 

A hearty congratz!

And welcome to GT4 ownership.

 

Thanks for your reply chaps!
I will sort some photos shortly,
I just want this bad weather to stop long enough to go out in her.
Showers are ok but heavy rain is no fun.
Its now driving me mad! sitting in the garage. I keep taking a peek to see if she is ok, Does everybody do that or is it just me?
Still I can always wax down the paintwork again and again and again.

Mark.

 

We all do it, its very therapeutic ;-)

 

During the winter months I go out to the garage, have a cigar and look at the car. Sometimes just run my hand over the lines of the body. And pine for any temperature above 5C with no salt on the roads so I can go for a spin. And this is after 6 years of ownership
Rain, well that didn't stop me from going on a track day on May 26. It was a great learning experience, 3rd time on the track but first time in the rain. http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=107534 has link to photos.

I doubt the thrill will ever go away!
Gerrit

 

Congrats!!! and welcome to the world of GT4 ownership. I am sure you will enjoy the car for many years to come.

 

Congrats on a job well done !!!-sounds like you are going to enjoy whatever summer we get this year in style

 

Welcome to Dino gt4 ownership/cult. It is a joy to be sure. I also sit and look at mine in the garage when I'm not driving it. Sometimes for some peace and quiet I'll sit in it and eventually the kids find me out in the garage...

This is a very supportive and knowledgeable group.

Looking forward to seeing some pictures.

 

Mine's OUT IN the rain, in the garden..next to the life sized Prancing Horse statue...

I suppose I should push the speedboat out into the rain and get it into the shed......

 

"Hang on!"
This is all wrong. The boat should be in the water, car in garage and horse in the field.
Also it should not rain in Texas, should it?

Mark

 

on the coast...maybe you heard of Katrina and Rita...we hid the boat so WE could find it later....LOL!

Point well made..outside it goes!

 

Congratulations!!

Can't wait to see the photos.

Dom

 

I second that.

 

Congratulations. I'm happy another classic ferrari owner has surfaced in London. Mine's due for a respray soon. maybe we can swap tips.

 

No problem!
Its what I do for a living.
Give me a shout when you are ready, we can meet up and I will give all the advice you need.

Blimey free advice!! "Now don't get an offer like that very often"


Regards
Mark...

 

Wayhey thanks! I've sent you a private message.

 

Congrats and welcome! It's true .... that feeling never goes away! Lets see those pic's!

Cheers!

DT
_________________________________________

There is nothing like a Ferrari, there never has been and never will be!

 

Thanks for the reply everybody, I will take more picks at the weekend,
I seem to have lost the others in a million holiday and family shots.

Went out in her last night, wow! she performed perfect did not miss a beat.

We just did a large circle including a little up the M40, not straying too far from home, its a trust thing with a thirty one year old car. All seems fine so we will go way further next time.

Thanks again Mark...

Oh! I have tried to reply to the private message, Hope it went through.