Possible Purchase

G'day Mick.
Well for starters,have you driven one?
Import..L or RHD?..Oh I see it must be R 'cos you say you're unsure.
If it's left and needs body work,start at about $4K.
If it's R then start at $5K.
You're English writing/spelling skills are very similar to someone who used to post on here.
Are you sure we haven't seen you previously??????

 

Hey michael,
welcome to Fchat Australia.
My thoughts are don't bother with other peoples problems. even though it might be a cheap car, it may be better getting a well sorted 400 auto. the problem with these cars is, they drive like a crap and if something breaks, than you are screwed. this is because the 400 is rare so parts will be near impossible to find, also pricey.
it's also an auto, which kind of ruins the whole point of a sports car, if you get what i mean.
why not try a 308,328 or even 348?

 

+365
Have you a Ferrari?,I see your profile still says 'not yet'.

 

your right mate, i'm still young, have my own business, investments and look at the bigger picture, later on in life .
i suppose you have to start somewhere?

 

400i's don't drive like crap at all, they are a refined and very capable high speed GT. Parts support is reasonable, largely because there are plenty of donor cars in the USA.

However, they are not economical to restore, so you should buy the best you can find. There is no such thing as a cheap Ferrari.

A perfect $40K car is a much better proposition than a tired or rusty $15K car and you should be able to buy the best 400 in Australia for $40K. If you want a budget 4 seat V12 that is quite sporting to drive, then you can't go past a 365GT4 2+2, for $40-60K depending on condition. Same body, but manual trans and knock-on wheels.

 

It's the auto that limits it's drivability.
On my first NFR in Canberra,07,I was on the track the same time as Andy Frazer when he had his 400,I drove right around him and disappeared into the sunset in the 365.

 

Fuel pumps are not a huge issue, (if that's the actual problem) I'd be more concerned about the cost of the bodywork. Check for rust, particularly if it has lived in the UK.
A well used but intact, running car has a fundamental parts value of around 22-25k so start with that.

M

 

I've driven RG's silver 412 auto quite a bit and its great to drive, particularly in traffic. It's also good on the highway at 110km. The torque convertor helps it get off the mark quite briskly as it compensates for the (relative) lack of torque ina heavy car.

The 412 ( and I suspsent 400GT and 365) manual has a relativley heavy clutch and gearchange, people are not used to that anymore. But a manual is more engaging and responsive on the twisty bits, and quicker on the track - but that's not what this car is about anyway.

M

 

totally agree, I loved driving Simon's 365 and it will be a perfect retirement car

 

....when you offer me some dosh for it.

 

and when I'm ready to retire

 

1976 Ferrari 365 GT 2 + 2 - Silverstone Auctions

 

$75K aud.Bit better than the one in Smelbourne for $135K.

That gallo 308 is going to difficult to get a buyer locally.....it's in Airlie Bch,fly to Proserpine then drive to AB for a look.
www.carsales.com.au/ferrari Dino 308 gt4...*#it,still can't get the link thing right

 

That car would actually be $111.2 K landed in Australia with GST, LCT and Duty paid, including freight, insurance, customs clearance, cleaning, registration and stamp duty for full rego.
Plus shipping & storage costs in the UK, evacuating the A/C system, cost of money transfers, and whatever compliance costs may arise in Australia.

Probably close to 120K AUD all up, Add to that perhaps a trip to check it out before you buy, another 5K easy.

Getting very close to the price of the Melbourne car.

And apparently nice UK RHD 308GTB Glass Dry sump cars are reputedly selling for 100k pounds or more , at 100k that works out to be 280K AUD landed here. - Yikes,

M

 

Looks like he knows. He's dropped it 3k in the last few days.

1975 Ferrari Dino 308 GT4

 

LOL,it's a she BTW...according to the advert.

 

This is what happens when you post in the early hours. Also shows what happens when you make assumptions. ;o)

 

Hmmm, sounds like whom?

The first ever Ferrari job I did in 1997 (Apart from my own car) was a friends dads 365 GT/4 2+2.

We did a "Major" on it, valve adjustment, set the cam timing, replaced a few seals, rebuilt the carburettors, changed all the fluids, welded up a hole in the exhaust and a few other things. The job on the engine alone took 110 hours. Could probably get that down to about 80 having done a few now, but those side draft cars are a MAJOR maintenance commitment. Not to mention the body.

So you better have the ability to do it yourself or deep pockets (Preferably both). Great car when set up right. Most aren't.

Car as a project is worth about -$215,000 to you. In other words, take the car and $215,000 because it's $250,000 away from being a $35,000 car when completed.

What's the chassis number, I might have something on it.

Good luck!

 

Which 400 did you drive? Auto, manual, none at all?