Saleofcar.com :Ferrari

Ferrari 308 (1985)
for sale

Price: US $7,600.00

Description:

Hagerty on Aug 5, 2015 proclaimed that “Modern classics are the hottest market segment ahead of Monterey”.
I bought this car 3 years ago with these goals.
1) Weekly drive a Ferrari—really drive it. Everywhere—except in the rain.
2) Completely go through the car and make it drive and
work as new.
3) Do all the maintenance including the stuff no one does on these cars so that I would not hesitate to drive it across the country.
4) Improve the suspension with more modern coilovers.
5) Sell it when the investment doubles. Enjoy the investment along the way, and then…
6) Hand it to the next owner to hopefully do the same.
If you look at 308’s they usually fall into one of two categories: either they are garage queens that will break when you try to drive them, and break often, or they are beat. In both cases neither of them will have had the car completely gone through and made mechanically as new AND have the proper maintenance performed over the years.
When looking for a 308 beware of low mileage super shiny examples whose beautiful “new” tires are actually dangerous, 10+ years old, and as hard as bricks, and with most bushings shot. Their AC systems will not work well though we are told it “blows cold”. Their “recent belt service” did not include new tensioners and bearings. All this usually adds up to many many thousands in repairs for the next owner. Or, not wanting the expense and hassle, the owner just shines it and parks it and maybe drives it to a local show hoping it won’t break. And then lists it.
The point is that excellent maintenance and service is much more important than mileage or cosmetics in these cars. If you cruise the Ferrari forums you will see that I am right about this.
That being said…
Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to own and drive a 30 year old 308 that you could have complete confidence in, one you could actually enjoy on twisty back roads, use as a daily or weekly driver, and take to the coast for weekend trips with your companion. With luggage in the two trunks? To use it like a fairly normal second car? Do some shopping at Costco? Grab a morning coffee with? One that you could drive across country today--or to the car festivities at Monterrey--and not worry about it breaking?
This is that car.
I wanted to be able to use it as a reliable daily driver if desired, to be able to hug the beautiful curvy backroads in NorCal, and to IMPROVE it constantly so that it drove better than new. I have been a proud car nut for 40+ years and really love this car. But I am selling it because I usually own a vehicle 3 or so years, improve it, get bored, and want to experience something else. I’m already into other cars….
Many thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours have been expended to make this car what it is….
This is a garden variety 308 QV #57469 with upgraded R12 AC, Tubi exhaust, and coilover QA1 suspension.
The handmade TUBI exhaust is really the only recommended engine performance upgrade for these cars. The delicious noises and deep rumble that the engine makes with this upgrade is much better than stock.
The car has spent it’s 30 years all in California, all within 30 miles of the coast.
The QV is the most desirable driver’s model 308. Bosch injection improved reliability, and with the wonderful deep sounds emanating from the Tubi exhaust; horsepower and driving pleasure are increased in the later QV models. In about 1983 rustproofing became standard for Ferrari so there is zero rust. Most of the toolkit (including jack) is there, a thick file of service, Ferrari shop manuals including Ferrari parts catalog, a CD of countless resources. Most of the service history is intact--even from the original owner--and is in a large 3 holed binder.
There is a strong online community of help as these are the most drivable everyman’s Ferrari. If this is to be your first Ferrari, know that there is help out there.
Mechanical
Engine: July 15, 2015: New timing belts, updated Hill Engineering camshaft bearings, inner camshaft bearing, seals. Water pump was excellent and not in need of changing out. Last year: New small diameter coolant hoses, upgraded Wahler thermostat, oil pressure sensor (in 2011), plugs, fuel injection checked, reconditioned coolant tank, new coolant cap, new more efficient high flow radiator fans installed. Radiator completely rebuilt/recored. I have used a fully synthetic 5w-50 oil in it, which is probably a waste on a 30 year old engine, but I wanted a bit more cold start protection than the 10W-50 oil recommended. Car burns no oil. Leaks none to little which is rare. Some contents such as the radiator and airbag were reconditioned. New oil and filter completed August 13, 2015.
Transmission: The 5 speed shifts as it should and without any synchro issues. 308 owners know to wait until the engine oil warms and gauge moves a bit before they use 2nd. Trans/diff fluid switched to proper Redline product.
Clutch: Works perfectly with no issues.
Suspension: In 2014 a COMPLETE rebuild of entire suspension. I mean complete:
Front+ Rear: All bushings new, beyond the usual 16. I mean all 32+ of them: upper/lower A arms, upper and lower ball joints, tie rod bushes, one tie rod link, sway bar bushings.
In addition the popular QA1 ADJUSTABLE shock conversion was made on all four corners. New shock bushings, new Eibach springs with new bumpers, proper spacers, and custom fabbed front shock mounts so cutting of the A arm was eliminated. The result is fantastic: much more responsive. They adjust easily.
Steering: New—not reconditioned—rack, new tie rod ends. Steering tracks true and positive.
Brakes: Excellent condition. Rear parking brake reconditioned. Brakes work perfectly with no issues. Fluid flushed 2014.
Tires: When I bought the car in 2012, I immediately had 4 new BF Goodrich Comp II tires put on it. They show little wear.
A/C: In 2014 I wanted to improve the AC function. A new York compressor with 50% more piston capacity was installed. Some new O rings were installed. A new expansion valve. I decided to retain at as a 100% R12 system because a retro to R134a reduces the cooing capacity. July 2015 I had it pumped down to reveal a leak at an improperly sealed O ring from the 2014 install. All new R12 was added. System now works great and blows cold in 95 degree heat this week. I also had my mechanic check that all climate control ductwork was tight and leak free.
Electrical: All lights, fans, horn, buzzer, headlights, headlight mechanisms, relays etc. work as designed. The car has a very nice Viper alarm system. Upgraded custom fuse box. Car has had zero electrical issues.
Stereo: Alpine with CD and Apple iPhone/iPod jack. Infinity speakers on bulkhead.
Reconditioning: Many small items were reconditioned, polished and/or painted before reinstall. For example: inner fender wells, engine skid plate, battery access cover, muffler “diaper”, etc. were painted, cleaned, buffed. The leather seats are not torn nor do they display rips, but they do need to be reconditioned: cracks filled and sprayed in order to come up to the level of the rest of the car.
Window lifts: Both now work well. In July 2015 I had the passenger’s side rebuilt ($400). Driver’s side was inspected internally and is excellent.
Cosmetics: Paint was given a single stage buff in July 2015, with extensive premium detailing interior and exterior done at the same time. I have used genuine sheepskin seat covers from a new Porsche 911 (very similar shape) over the leather seats, just reconditioned, because we don’t like the feel of leather, and to help preserve the seats. Custom real leather floor mats. The paint I would rate an 8/10 as this car has been driven. I decided not to repaint the front airdam because it just gets re-chipped up the first week you drive it. Dash has zero cracks or issues, which is rare. Custom padded black leather floormats. The car has won local best of shows by the previous owner, if that is important to you. The car completed a top tier professional interior and exterior detail on August 13th, 2015.
Price Point: Garden variety 308s in good condition are going for 50-60k right now, and fools who buy low mileage unmaintained garage queens are paying 70k & up. But this car will not require maintenance beyond a 5k/1 year oil and filter change for 3-4 years when it will need belt/pulley/tensioner service and a water pump.
Terms: I reserve the right to end the auction at any time as car is also for sale in other venues. Pre-inspections are ok as long as the inspector can be vetted as one who has vintage Ferrari inspection creds; the local guy from from down the corner garage won’t do.
Title is clear. Car will be resmogged for a CA buyer—it just passed 8 months ago with flying colors.
$750 nonrefundable deposit is due within 48 hours after end of auction. PLEASE DO NOT WASTE MY/YOUR TIME. Bid only if your cash is in hand and you have already asked your wife if it’s OK. Full payment must be made via cashier’s check sent by FEDEX no more than 7 days after auction ends. OR, electronic wire transfer within said 7 days.
I will send all documents to winner via FEDEX upon confirmation of received funds. I will cooperate with any carrier you may designate for shipping.
Good luck and a shout out to fellow car lovers at the Monterey Festivities going on! See you next year!

_{update: 2015-08-14}