Best Classic European Sports Car
- Thread starter Alex Plache
- Start date
For me its the Ferrari 275 GTB four cam, Dino 246GT and the Daytona 365GTB. But for something I can afford the 76 308GTB fiberglass .
Sorry to dig up this old thread but these are cars that i can get my hands on
1956 MERCEDES BENZ 300 SL GULLWING COUPE
1969 Ferrari GTC Coupe
1972 MASERATI GHIBLI SS 4.9L
1994 JAGUAR XK 220
are they in your collection?
The Lamborghini Muira, Ferrari 275GTB Short nose,Maserati Europa,and 427SC Twin Supercharged Cobra. There are so many others,the Jag XKE convertible,Aston DB4 and I always drooled over the Ferrari 250LM and Lusso. When I was about 7 years old my Mom was driving on the bayshore freeway and a long side drove a silver Lusso,I was forever ruined at that moment.
Steve brought up the 365 GTB, so a 365 story. Summer of 1976 I was hanging at Griswold and Company, the Alfa / Ferrari dealership in Berkeley CA.
In comes a wrecked 365 GTB...... and the restoration shop sees possibilities. A couple communities away in Vallejo is a wrecked gold Chevy Vega Wagon. Off comes the back of the GTB, replaced with a chopped and channeled Vega Wagon rear.
When the boys at the Griswold shop had finished their magic, it was as the hand of Enzo with the help of Farina had made it just so.
Griswold is long gone, but the talent is still at work across the bay at Phil Riley and Co. Phil Riley and Ross Cummings and team are still at it.
Cyclotronguy
In comes a wrecked 365 GTB...... and the restoration shop sees possibilities. A couple communities away in Vallejo is a wrecked gold Chevy Vega Wagon. Off comes the back of the GTB, replaced with a chopped and channeled Vega Wagon rear.
When the boys at the Griswold shop had finished their magic, it was as the hand of Enzo with the help of Farina had made it just so.
Griswold is long gone, but the talent is still at work across the bay at Phil Riley and Co. Phil Riley and Ross Cummings and team are still at it.
Cyclotronguy
There are some significant vintage Ferraris coming up for sale at Pebble this year, including a NART spyder and a 375 MM.
My suspicion is that these sellers are trying to get ahead of the current bubble before it pops. Vintage Ferrari prices have gone through the roof in the last decade. That 330 GTC (the one pictured above is actually a 365 GTC- which is rarer) was a great classic Ferrari that, not so long ago, didn't cost an arm and a leg.
There are so many wonderful cars- I too like the 30's french bodied cars, including the work of Georges Paulin. Love the original Bentleys from W.O. and some of the later Derby 'specials.' Early Lambos are pretty gorgeous, Miura and the Countach periscopa. (Dig the Espada too, just because it is so ungainly). The Gullwing is gorgeous, but an ergonomic sweatbox. Dig the early 911's, including the SWB, and even have love for the softroof Targa. Cars I dig but would never own- the A-M Lagonda from the 70's-80's. Jags- aside from the prewar SS, I really like the 140 DHC and the first iteration of the E-type- 3.8, flat floor, outside hood latch. (The coupe has better lines IMO than the roadster). I guess if I was forced to choose a couple that are unobtainium, it would be a Bugatti open-wheel racer from the 30's and a 250 SWB (I never got why the 250 GTO is so revered).
All of course, my personal taste, your mileage may vary.
My suspicion is that these sellers are trying to get ahead of the current bubble before it pops. Vintage Ferrari prices have gone through the roof in the last decade. That 330 GTC (the one pictured above is actually a 365 GTC- which is rarer) was a great classic Ferrari that, not so long ago, didn't cost an arm and a leg.
There are so many wonderful cars- I too like the 30's french bodied cars, including the work of Georges Paulin. Love the original Bentleys from W.O. and some of the later Derby 'specials.' Early Lambos are pretty gorgeous, Miura and the Countach periscopa. (Dig the Espada too, just because it is so ungainly). The Gullwing is gorgeous, but an ergonomic sweatbox. Dig the early 911's, including the SWB, and even have love for the softroof Targa. Cars I dig but would never own- the A-M Lagonda from the 70's-80's. Jags- aside from the prewar SS, I really like the 140 DHC and the first iteration of the E-type- 3.8, flat floor, outside hood latch. (The coupe has better lines IMO than the roadster). I guess if I was forced to choose a couple that are unobtainium, it would be a Bugatti open-wheel racer from the 30's and a 250 SWB (I never got why the 250 GTO is so revered).
All of course, my personal taste, your mileage may vary.
PS The Nart spider mentioned above just sold for 27.5. Million. (Well, there are only ten of them, Steve McQueen drove one in the Thomas Crown Affair and later owned one, Luigi Chinetti was responsible for getting the small handful made, since Enzo could have cared less, etc., etc. The one that sold had been a single family owned car since new).
Can you imagine I am reading what you wrote 12 years ago. It is amazing I dont even know you that long but can talk to you like the chat is just happening. I wish I have the E-type like you and Steve. I doubt I would let go of it even if I didnt know it would become today's precious though. I have been hunting for it but couldnt get the owner to sell the one I have my eyes on since 25 yrs ago. Still waiting. I like Jag for their the glamorous curve. Here is my Big Healey. It is the only one in Thailand.
Nice Healey! Speaking of Jaguar and curves brought back memories. A neighbour who's since moved on had a C type in red, just like the attached picture. Glorious to see roar in and out of the village. Before he left his son had started driving it
Maserati Shamal
326 HP 3.2 liter V8 Twin turbo. Tons of fun.
Less than 400 made
326 HP 3.2 liter V8 Twin turbo. Tons of fun.
Less than 400 made
BMW E9 sharknose 3.0 csi a little deeper h&r suspension. My dream too expensive
I had a MkI Ford Capri and then a MkII just like this one, same colour. Still think it’s a great design, Britains answer to the Mustang.
As usual, I am late to the show. I have to give the late Eddie Smith's family all the credit in the world for donating 100% of the proceeds to various charities in North Carolina. Have grown up in an orphanage, Eddie always remembered his roots and never failed to pay it forward. As for the car, I never thought a picture didi it justice. To see it in person, that was a real treat.
Alway been partial to Alfa GTV in the category of "Classics I Can Afford"
Shamal is a beast. Really beautiful There are very few in Thailand. ddk used to own one when he lived here. They are headache to live with though. The 3.0 CSI that @DasguteOhr posted is another car I want to restore. The proportion is beautiful like my Daimler Sovereign Coupe.
I used to own a 1993 430 4V (one of only 192) so I know both the joy and pain of biturbo ownership.
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