Is this it? https://www.beverlyhillscarclub.com/1985-ferrari-308gtsi-quattrovalvole-euro-spec-c-13785.htm https://www.ebay.com/itm/224818114382?ViewItem=&item=224818114382
Yes it is. Craig checked it out and said it was definitely a project car. Needs a lot of TLC. Any thoughts, observations or suggestions?
Craig is the best in the biz as far as i'm concerned, consistently good work and observations at that shop, if his opinion is to walk then walk, if he thinks it can be fixed up "reasonably" at the rite purchase price, then go for it
I would question the mileage. It appears the speedometer has been changed (probably when imported). As a Swiss spec it should be a 5 digit odometer and this one has a 6 digit odometer. Also, the wear does not seem consistent with that mileage.
I notice that the car comes with the very rare Saratoga Lexan top. You might get one for about $12,000.
I did look at many of their cars before I bought my 308 from a respected collector in Florida. This is really helpful and one piece of advice he gave me when buying a Ferrari is to look for three things... condition, condition, condition. Buy the best you can afford with as much service history as possible. These cars do not like deferred maintenance.
I own an '85 Swiss. So, some observations, comparing it comparisons to my car. - The front bumper extends far further than mine does. Mine is basically flush with the front spoiler, without that 1-2" gap. Front bumper also looks to have at least 1 crack. - My lower spoiler doesn't have those round cutouts - The lexan top has significant value - Side mirrors are correct - Indicator lights on the dash don't match my car - My car does have a 6-digit odometer - Looks like the car has some sort of aftermarket electronic gadget... radar detector? So, prepare for possible hack job in the wiring - The upper radiator hose looks brand new, the coolant tank cap also fairly recent. 1-2 hoses at the tank look new. Coolant tank looks swollen (I've seen this on cars that have an aftermarket aluminum tank, instead of a steel one.) I noted the invoice mentions repairing several leaking hoses, perhaps all resolved with no issues. - Does the car have a smog pump? There's a component under the coolant tank that I don't recognize. - I absolutely don't believe that the true mileage is 11,571. The interior and underside wear don't support such low usage, and I'm not sure the engine bay nor front storage area does either. Looks too "worn/used" in some ways.
Thanks for al the feedback! Craig said the car drove much better than he had expected. Given the current market, we agreed that it was a good deal for me. Over the last year, I’ve looked at several 308s from a 4,400 mile ‘83 to a 14,000 mile “85 and this one’s interior and engine was much better than both of those cars that sold for significantly more. All these cars had similar looking histories/profiles (about the same amount of consistency and credibility) on CARFAX. Craig says he should be able to get the car into the time capsule condition I desire within my budget…. around +/- 70% of the purchase price. Significantly cheaper than a complete restoration, but should still be a really nice car. Like my 355, it’s a car that I intend to just keep until I expire! Not that concerned about investment value; more pride of ownership. I’ll probably end up converting the exhaust, front hood grilles, valances and rear engine lid to US spec. So if anyone wants to trade their US front hood grilles and/or rear engine lid for euro spec let me know. Cheers!
I’d like to have the Saratoga top for my 83 Euro, but at 10 years ago pricing. Do you get the stock top with it as shown on eBay ad?
Yes, both tops come with the car. I may end up selling the Saratoga top. Let me know if you’re interested. Craig will have the car for a few months and I’ll probably get it late summer, if you want to check out the top. I think we’re both in the seattle area.
Maybe it's just me but I would think you can get it into the desired condition for far less than your ~70% number (I'd go as far as saying 30-40% is more sensible as long as there are no major problems). I went through a similar search, in fact I think we looked at a couple of the same cars during that time -- glad to see you found a car!
It was my understanding when you first posted ISO that you were adamant about purchasing an all original low mileage 308 with impeccable service records.. Couple vehicles popped up on the radar asking just over $100k. So .. now you’ve thrown that all to the wind and purchased a vehicle from Beverly Hills Car Club with marginal at best records? Using the odometer as a metric of condition that’s so easy to manipulate it will make your head spin and plan on removing the Euro items from this vehicle and converting the car to US specs? Would respectfully suggest taking your time and getting to know your new machine for a month or two before pulling parts and selling them. You may regret that decision. BTW Welcome to the Euro Owners Club!
Thank you for the welcome to the Euro Owners Club! My original post was: "I'm looking for an '85 red/tan QV with low miles (preferably sub 15k documented miles). Prefer to have as close to stock as possible. Greatly appreciate any leads!" Not sure I was really that specific (but indicated preferences) around records or originality and am still being somewhat consistent with what I'm looking for. I want it in "like new" condition. FWIW, over the last 30 years, I've owned four Ferraris: a 308 GTSi, a 328 GTS and two different 355 F1 GTSs (Have owned the last 355 for over 15 years and will never sell. I also have a 2015 Porsche 991.1 Targa 4 with 7k miles in perfect condition and will never sell that one either). I'm actually pretty focused around what I want (specifically, with the interior/exterior/engine condition) and had decided I probably wouldn't find it in the open market. That's why the current path allows me to get the exact result that I desire. May not be the path for most, but it's the path that makes the most sense to me. Also, I see my conversion to US bits as no different than the original federalization process for grey market cars back in the day... or those with a US spec car putting on euro bits to suit their personal preferences . Cheers!
I was just browsing through “Offer Up” and I typed in Ferrari 308 and this came up. I don’t know the details for these cars yet, I just thought I share this. Image Unavailable, Please Login
@miketuason the one on the left in your post #2868 looks like the 1978 US 308 GTS (Sera Blue?) at RPM, in another thread: https://www.rpmmotorcars.com/used/sherman-oaks-1978-ferrari-308-gts-308gts25115
Saw that too -- few nitpicks but looks nice, so I expect it will out-perform the market as usual for BaT. The seller seems involved and forthcoming with info, which helps. Recent service records from a reputable source. I am always curious to see whether someone does a PPI on these cars, but BaT is an alternate universe so it rarely happens.
Latest on BaT - 2022 1977 Ferrari 308 GTB Bid to $68,000 on 3/9/22 didn't sell - apparently, there were no responses from the seller to interested buyers' inquiries 1979 Ferrari 308 GTB Sold for $114,000 on 3/2/22 1982 Ferrari 308 GTSi Sold for $76,500 on 3/7/22 1984 Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole Sold for $93,000 on 2/3/22 1983 Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole Sold for $75,500 on 1/12/22 1985 Ferrari 308 GTSi Quattrovalvole Sold for $79,308 on 1/4/22
I saw your car last Friday @ FastCars. Congratulations and as Kim said, welcome to the Euro club. Mine is sitting across from yours, next to the black Gallardo. Image Unavailable, Please Login
