| “Major service recently performed.” Seriously, if you’re considering buying a Ferrari, this is the most important thing you need to find in an ad. Sure, the Verde Scuro finish is like new, the striking two tone tan and brown full Italian leather interior is as delivered and the driving experience is exactly as only a Ferrari can deliver, but without maintenance records none of that matters. This beautiful 38,000 mile car had $7,700 worth of work done within the past 3,000 miles, had its 30,000 mile service done on time and its warranty book shows that it was dealer serviced for years—that’s just what you want to hear! I’d never been in a Ferrari before, and the only real exposure I have with any of the 3x8 series cars was the same as most of you—watching the adventures of a Vietnam vet turned private eye in Hawaii. Heck—as far as I knew these things came standard with a Tigers hat! OK, so I was a kid in the ‘80’s, and my friends and I all knew the specs on the exotics…Ferraris were my favorites, and I had to defend my choice against Lamborghini’s fans. Imagine a bunch of 11-year-olds screaming at each other about why Testarossas could beat Countaches and vice versa. I’d call that silly but I’ve seen kids do it today, and I saw it in Rome last May! It’s a debate that will go on long past the end of production for both marques, I’m sure. I showed up at work a couple days ago to find this right by the door in our showroom—it had been delivered the night before. My heart skipped a beat—it always does when I see a Ferrari. I’m not that brand conscious, and I knew that this one was a full twenty years old, but there it was, looking as exotic and unreachable is it did in my dreams as a kid. I ran my hand down the length of the car as if to try and scoop up a touch of Pininfarina’s styling magic. I looked down the sides and noticed how straight the flanks were—there weren’t any dents or dings to ruin those classic lines. I stood back and admired the deep, dark green metallic finish glowing back at me, and it struck me how beautiful it was—so few are made that aren’t Rosso Corsa, and that’s a shame! The black Targa top blends in magically with the dark finish and is as flawless as the rest of the car. I noticed the wheels, amazed how a set of 360 Modena wheels updates the DNA of the car without embarrassing it for its age! If you’re a purist, the set of factory rollers with nearly new tires comes along, too. Personally, I’d hang them on the wall, call it art and drive the car as is! I did another walk around. No, I wasn’t wrong about the lack of paint chips the first time around. No, my deeply-rooted love for the cavallino rampante didn’t hide a bad repaint or a tsunami of waves. It was as perfect as the cars on my 4th grade notebooks and posters. No one was around—I had to sit in it. Boy, was it low! Now, keep in mind that I have a Porsche 911, a 914 and a 924 Turbo at home, so I’m not the guy who’d spent his entire life in SUV’s—I’m amazed I didn’t hit the ground when I sat down! Read the road tests of these cars, contemporary or when new, and you’ll see phrases about how you feel like you’re “one with the road.” They aren’t kidding! Any lower and you’d make ants nervous! I closed the door after folding my oversized body inside and realized there was a more practical reason 6’5” Tom Selleck wasn’t seen driving around with the Targa top on. Oh well—I’d do the same. You wrap your fingers around the Momo steering wheel while subconsciously you smile—that logo right there in the center—this was a dream fulfilled, and I hadn’t even started it up! My gaze went across the leather covered dash and door panels to the gauge cluster. What wonderful red numerals on the gauge faces just as a true sports car should…Sure, they’re nearly impossible to read in the day, but so what? The seat I’m in is in perfect shape…sure, I’m a bit big for it (and not vice versa) but it’s covered in Italian leather! How cool is that? Even the door handles are covered in the stuff. I’m in heaven. There’s a Kenwood CD player in the dash…it’s a little incongruous but it sure works better than new! Oh, and that shifter…I attempt to find the clutch pedal and discover part of the “Ferrari experience,” which translates roughly into “you’ll need to relearn how to drive if you hope to get out of the parking lot.” I figure out that everything in the dash slants you towards the center of the car…ok…size 13 shoes are still a bit much, but that’s to be expected. Better get out before anyone notices I’m in here! I open the front and rear lids…I figured the latches would be in the driver’s door jamb, but I didn’t expect them to be chrome with the company logo on them! I marvel again at the special touches in hidden places—it’s what separates the best from the rest. Up front is the radiator, battery and spare tire. Kinda boring, but all there with no surprises. I open the rear lid and there it is—the 3.2 liter V8 engine in all its glory! I know now from checking over the paperwork that it’s a new engine, installed in 2005. That $7700 service included just about everything you could replace in here, including the clutch, the A/C compressor, all belts and close to a thousand dollars’ worth of gaskets and bearings. It looks as pristine as it does powerful and elegant sitting there. Best part: the original engine is included, and I KNOW you need a new coffee table! There’s a trunk, too, if you’d call it that—it’s a “weekender special” and no more. What else would you expect of a sports car? Now here was the real treat—someone had to test drive it! I offered the opportunity to three different coworkers, but the refused! Can you imagine??? Maybe they were intimidated…I know I was, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me! I compressed myself again and turned the key. Everything about that first moment was special—the sound of the starter, the roar of the motor coming to life and the fact that I was sitting inside a running Ferrari! I looked at the shift knob, discovering the “Le Mans start” pattern of reverse over first…OK, two of my Porsches have that, too. I eased it out, and didn’t stall it. Go me! I would have felt really stupid considering that those same three coworkers were still standing there, watching me back away. I found first, then second, which I considered an accomplishment given that I’ve never used a gated shifter before. I eased the car out into traffic and found good power from the get-go. I treated it with the utmost respect and waited patiently for the oil and coolant to warm. I noticed the ride was very firm and exactly as I’d pictured it—there’s a complete shock and spring upgrade on the car, and it handled beautifully. The stock suspension pieces come with the car…make sure you mount them on the wall with the original wheels. Up to operating temperature—it’s time for some fun. I’m already rolling and there’s no one in front of me. I grab second, let out the clutch and floor it. What a song! Find third, and go again. Restraint takes over as I’m now doing about triple the speed limit on street I’m barreling down. In a Zen kind of way, I now know what the sound of a simultaneous giggle and sigh sound like. I do the 2nd gear drop again—oh, this is too much fun and I’ve done too good of a job of keeping my record clean lately. Where’s a track when you need one? Ready to take over yet? We’ve got a pile of receipts for work, the original manuals, a clean Carfax and one hell of a sweet car! Exclusivity is Ferrari’s trademark—only 5,526 328GTS cars escaped Maranello over a four-year production span—and everyone from the kid bagging groceries to the Sultan of Brunei knows one when he sees one. Fantastic to drive, fascinating to sit and stare at, fabulous to own and downright affordable, this may be the perfect enthusiasts’ car! Please note that all sales are binding and final. Our cars are sold "as-is" with no warranty expressed or implied. Please carefully read the terms & conditions of the sale before bidding. Winning this auction does not entitle you to come inspect the car and decide if you want to buy it, but obligates you to complete the purchase! A $1000.00 deposit via PayPal is due within 24 hours of the auction close ... NO EXCEPTIONS. We do not release our reserve prices, as this would be unfair to the other bidders, so please don't ask! Note that our cars are on display in our showroom in Mentor, Ohio, in national print advertisements, listed for sale on our website, and listed for sale in multiple, nationally known, online dealer showrooms at all times. Since our cars are for sale in a number of other mediums, we reserve the right to cancel the auction at any time. We do not base the price of our cars on what they bring in a single Ebay auction, nor do we discount the price of our cars based on Ebay auction activity. Accordingly, if you are interested in this, or any of our other vehicles, bid with the knowledge that we NEVER discount our cars if they don't reach their reserve in a single Ebay auction. Bid to win!! This car can be inspected at our 17000 square foot facility in Mentor, Ohio, six days per week. For those of you who need to fly in, we can provide transportation to and from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. We can also provide accommodations within walking distance of our facility. We can transport your vehicle to you in an enclosed carrier. Cost depends on mileage and location. For those international buyers, note that we've shipped cars to Canada, Holland, Denmark, Belgium, London, Korea, Austria, Australia, Spain, Bahrain, Brazil, Denmark, Poland, UK, and Germany over the past 90 days. International buyers can feel confident in our representations, and post-sale service. We are more than happy to help your transport & shipping needs. A common question we receive is: "do you accept trades"? We do accept trades, but will only consider #1 or #2 condition vehicles. If you would like us to review a trade, please send detailed pictures of the entire car, including the underside. Also send a detailed description which includes all specifications, facts, figures, history and documentation present with the car. Lastly, give us a clear idea of what you are seeking in trade value. Best of Show Automotive, LLC has a valid Ohio Used Car Dealer's License. In addition to our main showroom in Mentor, Ohio, we own two secondary facilities, including a full-service restoration shop and body/paint shop. We perform complete restorations for classic car fans around the globe. We own all of our facilities and have a significant investment in our business. We stand behind our work and value long-term relationships with our customers! Check out our feedback from other customers who have purchased cars from us in the past. We pride ourselves on describing our cars accurately, and, our cars really do look better in person than in the pictures! Bid with confidence! For further information, call us at: (440)350-1480. Email: doug.croxford@bestofshowautomotive.com.
|
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
