looking for a older (pre 1975) Ferrari convertable V12

It all depends on what you like.

Do you want a "vintage" experience, or do you want something that is a more modern car?

Older cars, like a PF cab, drive like, well, old cars. Newer cars like the Daytona Spider drive like modern cars. That's not to say that the old cars don't drive nicely, but they don't have power steering, and they come from a different time and place, and if you are expecting them to be like a new car you will likely be disappointed.

Does "Best" to you mean the most appreciation, or do you want something to drive and enjoy that is more reliable and has more modern components?

There really isn't a "Best" and it is more dependent on what you like the looks of and what you want.

 

At the risk of stating the obvious, budget comes into this.

Convertible vintage Ferraris tend to be pretty high up the food chain compared to modern Ferraris...

 

Ohhhh man do I love the 330 GTS but no way could I afford one.

Bullfighter's right... you need to establish some price parameters before asking that question.
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Certainly, your budget will dictate your purchase to a large degree. But the conventional wisdom is to buy what you like. If you haven't figured that out yet, you need to do a lot of shopping. The various models are so different from each other that you really need to make that decision yourself; no-one can do it for you. Of course it's that difference that is part of the Ferrari charm/mystique. Good luck in your quest.

 

Personally...275 GTS

 

I think my favorite Ferrari of all time is the 275GTB/4 NART-- specifically 9437.

However, assuming some sort of budget, I would go for a 365GTS.

 

I could build you a Micholotti body if need be, after spending a few hundered hours restoring the body of the one and only convertible, I could easily build one in my sleep!

 

Still a pretty big budget, I'm sure a good one would go over $800k. And I have not seen one for sale in the past 4 years. Only 20 built.


Onno

 

Marcos 612: El Wayne's spreads are about right, to which I would add one other Ferrari built car: the 2.4 liter dino spider badged as Fiat, (not the 2.0s which were built by Fiat) they are a fraction of the price of the others, have fabulous PF coachwork, the Dino engine makes amazing sounds at 8000 rpm and they are as fast as all of them save the 365 GTS and a 275 NART spider. No spider collection is complete wo one! M

 

That list doesn't includes Daytona Spyder conversions which depending depending on the quality of the conversion would probably be a little more or a little less than a Daytona Berlinetta. Not original but a good one would probably be the cheapest way into a vintage V12 convertible.

 

In that case you have a delightful process ahead of you exploring the options that span a 250PF and a Daytona spyder. Enjoy driving them all!

Since this is a thread that virtually invites everyone to name their own preference, I might hold out for the rare pre-60's car that would dip into this range. Possibly a pipe dream anymore, but something like the '51 340 at Fantasy Junction, even as a compromised car, would suffice.

 

I we can dream, I will dream about the PERFECT Ferrari: a 166MM Barchetta.

 

Nice league to be in...I'm looking forward to seeing what you end up buying.

 

THIS....a blue chip investment, the GTS.

 

Might get a rarer 365GTS for that money?????

 

Yes, in the high part of the range, if you can find one.


Onno

 

If you hurry , you can buy the one at RM in AmeliaIsland in about 2 hours.

 

IMHO:
The sound of the 365 with the top down and the throttle opened is exhilerating. At speed, it is casual and calm. The 2.0 Dino Fiat has an incredible race history (see the book Dino Fiat; Ferrari by another name pg89) and gets into the power band and really starts to pull hard like it's going to wind the tach needle about the gage. Getting them both around corners is easy, but to explore the limits seems to take more daring.

Both of these are more "advanced" ownership. The electronics, ignition, fuel injection etc does not compensate for anything. When cold you're very aware. All early cars also can leave you smelling like an exhaust pipe after a drive - part of the character! Older Ferrari's definately have their own set of care and concerns ie. buying parts can be an adventure.

 

What was the hammer price??

Did it find a new wallet????

 

I'm fairly confident that you have difficulty finding a 365GTS you would want to own for anything under $1,000,000. I myself have owned a 330GTS, Cut and real Daytona Spider, and an LWB Cal Spider. All are great cars (except for the chopped Daytona, which was really not all that great to drive) with completely different driving experiences. I still have the 330GTS, which will be with me long after I sell every other car I own.

The good news for you is that these cars come up with some frequency, which is to say a handful of examples a year. Pay a little extra for a good one, and don't worry too much about the entry price, things appear to be on their way upwards again, IMHO.

 

Well, I DID say "rare"......

It has ugly tail lights, too......

 

330 GTS No. 10553 shown in current inventory at <<www.rhcollectibles.com>>. No price. I think Copley in Boston had this car a few years ago. Looks very nice in azzurro. I have no financial or other interest in this car.
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