Purchasing a 328 GTS | FerrariChat

Purchasing a 328 GTS

Discussion in '308/328' started by BobbyS, Oct 8, 2007.

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  1. BobbyS

    BobbyS Rookie

    Oct 8, 2007
    31
    Long Island
    Full Name:
    Bobby
    Hi Guys;
    I'm in the process of going through a prepurchase inspection on a 1987 328 GTS with 17,000 original miles(California car).However.for some silly reason one of the previous owners painted the side louvres,rear deck grill,spoiler,side mirrors and Targa top RED.My plan would be to bring these parts back to original black.Is the process more detailed than just having a shop paint them?

    Any help would greatly be appreciated.

    Bobbys
     
  2. Sean F.

    Sean F. F1 Rookie

    Feb 4, 2003
    3,066
    Kansas
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    Sean F
    You may like the look of the top red. But the rest of the stuff you could remove yourself and have a shop strip and repaint black.
     
  3. BobbyS

    BobbyS Rookie

    Oct 8, 2007
    31
    Long Island
    Full Name:
    Bobby
    Thanks Sean,you might be right,because I've been in love with the GTB for some time.However as you know very scarce.Maybe paint everything as you said drive it for a while than make a decision whether or not to bring targa back to black. Good Point.
    VIN # of car I'm looking to purchase is ZFFXA20A6H0071555 should anyone have any details.
     
  4. irondogmike

    irondogmike F1 Rookie

    Sep 8, 2006
    2,532
    San Diego area
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    Michael Tucker
    I looked at one here in northern calif. that was all red louvers and everything if its the same car stay away from it I belive it was about the same many miles gears grinded in 2nd,3rd and it needed belts it was on e-bay about 2 months ago some body here might remember the car I brought it up to everyones atten. it might be the same one, how many could there be painted all red even the roof, anyway make sure the ppi checks compression,trany,and the clutch, the one I looked at sold to a auto dealer in texas for 36k,maybe that deal fill through
     
  5. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,599
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #5 Bullfighter, Oct 8, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    If you want a GTB, buy one. I think there's one listed on FerrariAds here (link above).

    IMHO, the GTS is a classic with the top and louvres in black, in part because (my hunch) Pininfarina designed it with the targa in mind after the 246 GTS, so the roof section on all 308/328s is rather flat. When targa-topped cars are painted red, I've always thought it was the automotive equivalent of Hair Club for Men -- not fooling too many people. I'd say embrace the era.

    The full louvres on the GTS echo the decklid profile and seam line, and rear fender curvature. It's a very graceful part of the car, and you lose a bit of that with the GTB's extra exposed glass.

    [bias]Or, get a black GTS and you have the best of both worlds. :)[/bias]

    As to how involved: I think the side louvres could be stripped, but you might have to replace them if they were 'roughed' in preparation for paint. The targa top was probably smoothed/ruined and would need to be replaced.

    If you want a nice GTS, check Motorcars in Springfield MO or Sport Auto in NC (nice 87).
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  6. BobbyS

    BobbyS Rookie

    Oct 8, 2007
    31
    Long Island
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    Bobby
    This I believe sold for about that to an auto dealer on Long Island.Interesting,because I drove the car today and it was tough to get into 2nd grear.I also did some Columbo work found out who the previous owner was called in San Leandro,CA and he mentioned that he sold it for cheap beacuse he did not want to go through the belt service.
    I feel like a detective.
     
  7. GatorFL

    GatorFL Moderator
    Moderator Owner

    Nov 18, 2005
    16,967
    Wellington, FL
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    Duane
  8. GatorFL

    GatorFL Moderator
    Moderator Owner

    Nov 18, 2005
    16,967
    Wellington, FL
    Full Name:
    Duane
  9. Verell

    Verell F1 Veteran
    Consultant Owner

    May 5, 2001
    7,022
    Groton, MA
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    Verell Boaen
    BTW,
    The targa roof is fibreglass, molded with a leather grain pattern. Most likely the leather grain was sanded smooth before repainting red. Repainting black won't restore the leather grain texture, you'll still have a smooth black top. Don't know what would restore the leather grain other than finding another targa top.
     
  10. GatorFL

    GatorFL Moderator
    Moderator Owner

    Nov 18, 2005
    16,967
    Wellington, FL
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    Duane
    The top is fiberglass, once it's red you likely can't get it back to the original "vinyl" finish. The louvers perhaps could be stripped or replaced. Stripping them would be difficult as there are lots of nooks & crannys, and I suspect painting the rear louvers over the engine is a pretty major job. Mirrors are plastic, probably paintable.

    You'll never bring it back to factory looks, IMO.
     
  11. BobbyS

    BobbyS Rookie

    Oct 8, 2007
    31
    Long Island
    Full Name:
    Bobby
    Guys,thanks for all your help,I'm so happy right now.Think about it I drove this car today,join FerrariChat today and got more info on this car than I could have on my own WOW--what value!!!
    Ok,back to my search.Although I love the GTB I think I;ll stay with the GTS. Any idea on where I should keep looking for one(price range $50,000 to $55,000).
     
  12. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,599
    Gates Mills, Ohio
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    Jon
    Call Steve Jones at Sport Auto about the two red ones they have. www.sportauto.cc.

    I remember my first drive in a 328. Kind of like losing your automotive virginity! :)
     
  13. irondogmike

    irondogmike F1 Rookie

    Sep 8, 2006
    2,532
    San Diego area
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    Michael Tucker
    gatorfl, your right that is the one I went out to look at the owner abused the car when he took me for a ride grinding gears telling me it was adjustment,then I looked at the history he had (not much) that it never had belts or any service to speak of or he just didn't have them there with him any way I felt this car should be behind me like history, so be careful,and do your homework and have it check throughly, and plenty of money in the bank if you buy it so if anything needs fixing you can, good luck, always ask us first if we know the car chances are we do
     
  14. BobbyS

    BobbyS Rookie

    Oct 8, 2007
    31
    Long Island
    Full Name:
    Bobby
    Bullfighter,I've been looking at the two there,they look pretty nice!
     
  15. jonesdds

    jonesdds Formula 3

    Aug 31, 2006
    2,163
    SB,CA & Park City UT
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    Jeff
    There was a black one, I think metallic like yours, incoming to someone you mentioned in a previous thread. IIRC it was in the price range the OP is looking. Where was that car? Thought he might be interested in that one as well, just can't remember where it's from.

    Jeff
     
  16. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,599
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #16 Bullfighter, Oct 8, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I bought mine there.

    If it's the one I posted one, that one sold in 3 weeks - an extremely nice black metallic over black '89 GTS, under 20K miles, at Motorcars. Asking was $68K-ish, have no clue what it sold for. If I didn't have my '87, I would have bought it.

    Was there another one? The only other black I know of right now is at Boston Sports Car, but it's plain black over tan, and in average cosmetic condition (interior needs a bit of help, IIRC...)
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  17. GatorFL

    GatorFL Moderator
    Moderator Owner

    Nov 18, 2005
    16,967
    Wellington, FL
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    Duane
    There are a bunch on Ferrariads.com as well.
     

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