New 400i owner.....what have I done?

Hey all, I am a new 400i owner and have read many of the helpful posts. However, as I have read them, I am afraid that I may go broke getting this car relyable and generally where I want it. It is a 1981 with 20K documented miles. It hasent seen the road much since 2005 though. I went into this car on a whim which in some cases is never good. My first challange is a starter replacement which I am having done. We are installing one of the british units. As I look back through the service records, I see that the started noted three seprate times as being replaced or worked on. I had replaced the starter power cable hoping that was the problem before sending it off for the starter. That did nothing.

1. Need to determine what to do with the paint. It has been buffed to where the primer shown on the sharp edges.
2. Driver window does not work (hopefully switch of course.
3. rear seats (yes rear seats somehow) neeed a lot of attention.

Hopefully, nothing else......we will see

ANyhow, I will stay in contact and let you all know when it is on the road.

Tim Haines
CIncinnati

1981 930 Slope
1981 400i
1991 Mondial T

 

hey all, thanks for the welcome. I will get some photos when it is back from the starter replacement.

Ken, thanks for the advice on the window. Of course, hopefully it becomes an easy fix.

Beautiful day here in Cincinnati. I ran in the Mondial for a bit.

More to come.......

 

Ok, if I did this right there are now two photos added. However, not great photos as I took these as the car sat in the garage that I bought it from. YES, I am the guy who had the nerve (or stupidity) to buy a non-running ferrari. So, all I have is these two photos. Yes, if you get to know me, I can be a bit too spontanious for my own good sometimes. I was in Denver three weeks back and saw a craiglist ad for the car. I had admired the 400's for a while and I guess I was board that day. So I texted my wife and said "I think I am going to buy a car today".

It is car F101CL35477. I got it from Jim Bath in Denver. Prior to that Steve Cotton. From the records, it was in Denver since 2005. Prior to that it appears to have spent most of its live in Long Boat Key, Flordia belonging to Herb Kellner. He appears to be original owner buying it originally in Chicago. Rather complete service records. Especially from Kellner.

The owner I bought it from supposedly drive it last in October of 2007.

Joel, I look forward to meeting you. I personaly know no one else in Cincy with a Ferrari although I know there are a few. Drop me an email direct so we can chat. [email protected]

Bundas, I was not planning for Louisville at this point. A bit too short of notice I think. I will look for the thread on it though.
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Also, somehow my Mondial T ended up on conceptcarz after I had it in the Ohio Concourse Show a couple of years back. Here is a link for those that care to see it.

http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z11686/Ferrari_Mondial_T.aspx

 

Unfortunitly, The car is not is as good of shape as the photos. I think it is either going to need paint, of somehow spot paint with a new clear coat to pull it all together. It is not bad, but as I mentioned, it has been buffed to the primer along the sharp edges. It also has some light rust along the top of the rear windshield also.

The back seats are a bit of a mystery as to why they are in bad shape. I am hoping it is just a good cleaning needed. But, this car hasent even made it to the house yet for me to spend a good day with. Hopefully the shop will have the starter in this week and she runs. That will get me feeling better about the (somewhat) speculative purchase.

 

Oh, also....how to I take care of that nasty dented rear bumper?

 

Well, I got a call from the mechanic today letting me know that he got the starter in today. SO, I had to run to the shop and see the outcome. And, much like when they fired up Frankenstein for the first time, it was an interesting experiance. First of all, that new British starter really turns that engine. Then, a plume of smoke that rivaled and atomic cloud. I let it warm for a few and it did smooth out a little. I did take it for a very short drive and things seemed to wake up a bit. Sounded like an old Impalla. I am just glad it started without effort.

I am leaving it there as I am having him drop new exhaust donuts all around while he has it up in the air. I am not so sure it is running on all cylinders. So....more to come.

 

Hey all, UPDATE. I am heading out to pick up the 400i today from the shop. Given that I have only driven it a block when it was running rough I am pretty excited. It is like picking up a new car al over again. Mechanic says the new fuel line, plugs and filters did a lot of good. Also, he got the AC sorted out somehow. I will get details later.

If I am not back in an hour.....send the search party!

Tim