What happened to the Biturbos? | FerrariChat
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What happened to the Biturbos?

Discussion in 'Maserati' started by buzzpics, Jan 23, 2014.

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  1. buzzpics

    buzzpics Formula Junior

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    #1 buzzpics, Jan 23, 2014
    Ive been looking into building a Lemons/chump car, and having owned a Biturbo, Im not scared to get a beater and make it work. However, looking, Ive found what would be junkyard cars for $3500, and nothing cheaper. Has the day of the $500 Biturbo come and gone?
     
  2. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    #2 TheMayor, Jan 23, 2014
    If a car is running, it will get about $2000 to $3000 unless its a total basket case. I'm not sure when you saw running Bi-turbos for $500 of money but if you did, that was a bargain. Most really bargain cars failed emissions which is why they ended up being junked and picked for parts.
     
  3. staatsof

    staatsof Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    #3 staatsof, Jan 23, 2014
    A lot of them went to Joedro and got parted out. Call him. He's on eBay. We see plenty of what you're looking for mentioned on Biturbozentrum (Yahoo Groups). People find them all the time and post links. But @ $500 after this many years they're going to be unbelievably rough. Don't be in a hurry.
     
  4. buzzpics

    buzzpics Formula Junior

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    #4 buzzpics, Jan 23, 2014
    The last one I picked up in Hawaii, I paid $500 for. Needed a new starter, carb rebuild and a battery to get back on the road. It wasn't a pretty car, but pretty isn't what I would be looking for anyway.
     
  5. Taurean Bull

    Taurean Bull Formula 3
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    #5 Taurean Bull, Jan 23, 2014
    I sold my (barely) running car 6 years ago for 800. Not a total basket case either. Was offered 500 more times than I can remember.

    Yeah, inflation taking hold guys, anything running, at all (not just Biturbos), is tough to get under a thousand, I don't care what it is or how it looks.
     
  6. alfieri107

    alfieri107 Karting

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    #6 alfieri107, Jan 24, 2014
  7. djempire

    djempire Formula Junior

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    #7 djempire, Jan 24, 2014
  8. JulianMerak

    JulianMerak Formula 3

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    #8 JulianMerak, Jan 24, 2014
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  9. buzzpics

    buzzpics Formula Junior

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    #9 buzzpics, Jan 24, 2014
    lol, some of those are pretty nice. But I need something local I can save from the scrapyard. (Lemons requires no more than $500 be spent in the car). Looking like we might use a porsche 914.
     
  10. JasonMiller

    JasonMiller F1 Rookie
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    #10 JasonMiller, Jan 25, 2014
    Ive got access to a biturbo that runs and drives, needs a new battery, needs a clutch in the future but is fine for now, the thing about it is, it has a perfect body, no rust.

    So even though its cheap 1200, I would hate to see it turned into a race car, I know these cars aren't worth a bunch but its rare to find one not trashed.

    Let me know if your interested,
     
  11. staatsof

    staatsof Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    #11 staatsof, Jan 25, 2014
    I would think that's going to be a lot easier and don't forget that stock early Biturbos didn't handle all that well. More of a cushy ride.

    Is that $500 just for the purchase or does it include any repairs etc? I think Famerdave was working on this exact thing a few years back.
     
  12. buzzpics

    buzzpics Formula Junior

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    #12 buzzpics, Jan 25, 2014
    I actually might have a friend that would be interested in saving the car. I dont think the lemons/chump car group wants to spend another $1000 to transport the car, but one of my buddies has been looking to get into italian cars (and if you cut your teeth on a biturbo, the cars that are worth a little more become slightly more rewarding). What year is it?
     
  13. buzzpics

    buzzpics Formula Junior

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    #13 buzzpics, Jan 25, 2014
    $500 is the net (safety equipment exempt). So, right now, we're looking at a Porsche 914 for $1200. We could sell the interior, targa top, glass, etc, and bring our net cost down within the limits.

    It seems it was always fairly easy to find biturbo parts cars in Houston for nothing, now I cant find anything. Probably going to build a 914 or 944, but getting a biturbo to hold up in a race situation would be fun, and considering their (in my opinion un deserved) reputation, I figure it would be more rewarding than building a salvage title miata.
     
  14. jippiejake

    jippiejake Formula 3

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    #14 jippiejake, Jan 25, 2014
    I live in Venice Beach CA and use a local mechanic that has a shop called Exotic Performance here..This shop has maybe 5 of these Bi-Turbos just sitting there..The shop owner, Robert, said they were left by customers that in the end could not afford, or did not want to pay from them to be repaired any longer..
    One of the cars is a convertible that runs good that looks ok..One of the coups also runs good..With a little TLC I think out of the 5 cars you could definitely get 2-3 to run just fine..
    He also has a 80's QP!!!!
    I will go over today and get pictures...
     
  15. GLB

    GLB Formula Junior

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    #15 GLB, Jan 25, 2014
    If you're still looking for a Biturbo, Robert Rodgers at <http://home.earthlink.net/~fiatdr/shadetree.html> in Nevada TX had one last time I was there. I don't think it had been wrecked, but I didn't look closely. He also has two sad QP3s and an armored Alfa Six. Just the thing for Lemons.
     
  16. buzzpics

    buzzpics Formula Junior

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    #16 buzzpics, Jan 25, 2014
    Bingo! The shop we're gonna be building at is in Lucas, so, if hes willing to part with something cheap, that's a winner.
     
  17. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
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    #17 FarmerDave, Feb 19, 2014
    I'm also building a biturbo Lemons car. PM me your phone number
     

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