If it was mine I would sell it to him, lets wait and see what the present owner want to do.
Whether the car changes hands or not, i would love to be there when Tommy sees the car again in person. THAT would be an F-chat meet I would travel for.
In all actuality, tell him not to worry about that right now. Up until yesterday I had no idea if it even existed anymore. Had I discovered it in a very bad state with an indifferent owner I would be twisting his arm off to sell before it was a write off basket case car. That's what has always worried me. Now that I have found it and see that it is in good hands and is being very well cared for I am good. All I would respectfully request is that he keep me in mind and contact me first if he ever does decide to sell. I hope he would. Until then let him restore it and enjoy it. I am happy for him. I'll take you and him out for some big fat steaks if I can fly up and get a ride in it when it's done, though (I hope he got a big kick out of all this when you spoke to him today)
Congrats Dr. TC. This is really gratifying to read - can't wait for the pictures of you being reunited with 21277! I love it when a mystery is solved on FChat.
Wow, I just started reading this thread, and it is amazing. The most amazing part is how quickly and relatively easily you found out the car still exists and is being fully restored to its former splendor. I can't wait for the posting of the pictures of Dr. T, Rocco and the owner, together, with the car done, and Dr. T sitting in the drivers seat, replaying that wonderful day from 30 years ago when he first sat in it. I love this place!!!!!! Doc, hope that you do get to see 21277 in person, again! And Rocco, keep those restoration pictures coming!
Great, Great, Thread. Makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. Makes the world right if even for just a little while. If it were mine, I would certainly sell it to Doc considering the history. I will be thinking and sending positive vibes. GO DOC GO!! I wish I could find my Highland Green 1969 428 Cobra Jet Mach 1 Mustang I had in High School. Cal License ZRM428. (Just sayin')
Tommy is a WONDERFUL Ferrari 308 enthusiast and it has been my pleasure to know him and drive with him and ride with him for many years. I think I was with him when he actually got to go behind the steering wheel and DRIVE his first Ferrari himself -- and it was on a racetrack. It might not have been the point of initiation for his love of the marque, but it was one of many along the way.
Mike, on a compassion level that has few equals, actually let me drive his 308 way back in the day. It was my first drive and HE actually offered. I still have those pictures too! So Mike C has his place in my little personal history book right next to that yellow 308 here and Dr. Yu's car in Huntsville (my first ride & Mike knows that story well)
Tommy - Awesome story and great pics! What an amazing thread you initiated! Keep us updated. Hope all is well - Bob
Congratulations on thread of the month. ! Love the story its almost like a fiction novel, just need the current owner sign up to fchat and contact original poster to say he's happy to see the car go to somebody who has the passion that has been shown here. Glad you have been able to recconect this car to you and well done to all involved. Consider it an electronic pat on the back. Well done !
Tommy, what a fantastic story. I hope you get to see the finished car, and perhaps keep the momento of the large horse. I remember reading your old pics thread and thinking this is a seriously influential car in your life. If I ever sell my 308QV of the last 9 years, I makes me sad to think I wouldn't be about to carry on keeping an eye on it. Dave
I just read through this entire post on the yellow / black 308GTB that you have found after all these years. I too am well aware of the nostalgia & impact these cars had for many of us years ago. My father bought a 1977 308GTB s/n - 20631 (red/tan) in October of 1980. I remember the day he drove up in it to our home like it was yesterday. I was absolutely blown away. That car was so absolutely stunning, it just stopped me right there, just awe struck. The lines of the Berlinetta's are by far the best looking. He had been wanting to buy one for several months & finally found what he was looking for. We lived up off of Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles just east of Coldwater Canyon & that first evening I will never forget sliding down into the low bucket seat, putting on my seat belt & going for the ride of my life as he ran up through the canyon & along the Mulholland "racetrack" stretch of road from Coldwater, Eastbound to Skyline Drive & then on towards Laurel Cyn. The car handled like it was on rails & the smell of the leather & the exaust note was absolutely intoxicating. This was a month before my 16th birthday. Needless to say, this had an "enormous impact" on my life from that point forward. I will also never forget blasting down the 405 Freeway in it from Los Angeles into Newport Beach. That car not only handled well on canyon roads, it was great on the highway as well. He ultimately sold the car in 1984 to a friend of his in Naples, Long Beach California. Dr. Grubs was his name. He had the car until about 1988 / 89 when he traded the car in to a local Chevrolet dealership on a Corvette. From that point, this car has never again surfaced anywhere that I know of. There was a rumor that it possibly went to Japan & is still there in a collection. I contacted Robert Retzlaff who holds the 308GTB registry & asked him if he possibly knew of where the car was & I had him add the VIN (s/n-20631) to the registry. One day hopefully the car will surface somewhere.I would very much to find it one day. In 2004 I purchased my first Ferrari, a 1988 1/2 328GTB (s/n-77394). www.mulhollandferrari.com It has been one of the absolute best experiences of my life. I have shown the car in numerous concours events, taken her down Highway One from Monterey twice, driven through every great canyon road throughout southern California & have just enjoyed the car to no end. I absolutely love the fluid flowing lines of the 308 & 328 Berlinetta's & feel these cars are the last of an era that was so appreciated by so many of us enthusiasts & people here visiting this website. Its good to see you have found where this yellow GTB is after all this time. Stories like this are terrific ! Best Regards, Larry Image Unavailable, Please Login
Larry, I've seen your car many times - literally from coast to coast! Forza GT! Did you purchase it from MacKellar in Leesburg, Virginia? Sadly, I don't know the current whereabouts of your father's old car. It was last seen for sale through Edmondo Fanale of Glendale, CA, April, 1990, red/tan, 34,000 miles.