Venturi GT400 - any experiences ?

[del mar]

Evening,

I am a long time lurker.......

Does anybody have any experience of one ?

I like cars that are different, a 911 may be a better car but nobody stops you at a garage and asks what it is !.

I have looked at the french website but it is difficult to gain much about them. I like the idea of a car with exposed fuses on the dashboard and no door locks !

A diablo would be my other choice but the venturi should be cheaper to run, and i have probably missed the boat price wise.

I am aware of the blue one in surrey, i viewed it last year but was not then in a position to buy.

Thanks

Del

[wessexrfc]

Like the look of this, very 80's!! Would've thought they could get more power?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...
Another option for something a bit different:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...

[Vacationboy]

parts availability ought to be good

[Vacationboy]

a 25 year old french supercar..hmm

what could POSSIBLY go wrong.

[Bacchus]

according to a french website, the engine is bulletproof!

[Anjum]

I was on a track day at Cadwell Park in 2000 - and there was a GT400LM - it was camouflaged - all paint - as wraps didn't exist then! It was properly quick - and made very loud pops on the overrun! I'll dig out some pics and post. It aimed itself at the F355 - but IMHO was more like a Lotus Esprit - down to the wooden inlays!

A

[tomtom]

Ha, what a strange advert for the Venturi linked above.

"Reason for sale? well that will become apparent if you want to have a look"

Is it just me that reads that as "the car's a total dog but I've spent a fortune on it and now I can't bear to drive it"?

[blueg33]

Bacchus said:

according to a french website, the engine is bulletproof!

Doubt it!

The Renault Alpine Owners club website or forum has a bit on Venturi's as there is some comonality with engines etc between the Venturi and Alpine GTA's. Although maybe not with the 400

Op yu could also contact Renault Alpine Tuning Services (RATS) they had a Venturi in the garage when my car was in for a service

[Bacchus]

blueg33 said:

Bacchus said:

according to a french website, the engine is bulletproof!

Doubt it!

here halfway down : http://www.automobile-sportive.com/guide/venturi/4...

[Pickled]

tomtom said:

Ha, what a strange advert for the Venturi linked above.

"Reason for sale? well that will become apparent if you want to have a look"

Is it just me that reads that as "the car's a total dog but I've spent a fortune on it and now I can't bear to drive it"?

My mate owns that car, its had a full on restoration and is a complete beast on the road. And the reason for the sale is he simply doesn't have the room to keep it (owns several other very nice classics) which is what he means by "it will be come apparent" One of the nicest genuine blokes I know

[erics]

first of, I am French and may have a touch more information having spent my youth scrutinising those..

They were held in very high regards back in the 1990'S. Venturi's 400 LM's were proper race cars. They were used in the gentlemen's Venturi Trophy and many celebrity drivers took part.

It was often compared to an F40 due to the small capacity / turbo nature of the engine.

They were fairly different from other mainstream venturi's. They were thoroughly developed and the Venturi Trophy enabled the company to have a much better grasp on endurance etc.

It is a very special thing and they have serious followers on the other side of the pond.

[blueg33]

Bacchus said:

blueg33 said:

Bacchus said:

according to a french website, the engine is bulletproof!

Doubt it!

here halfway down : http://www.automobile-sportive.com/guide/venturi/4...

I the article says that, I am not convinced that its correct.

The engine is the PRV V6, in the Alpine GTA and DeLorean these have a reputation for blowing head gasgents if there is the slightest cooling problem

[erics]

http://www.fa-automobile.com/detail-vente.php?voit...


160k euros!
http://www.fa-automobile.com/detail-vente.php?voit...

or the road version for a lot less:
http://www.gt-spirit.fr/acheter-automobile/mvs-ven...

Edited by erics on Tuesday 6th January 13:24

[tomtom]

Pickled said:

My mate owns that car, its had a full on restoration and is a complete beast on the road. And the reason for the sale is he simply doesn't have the room to keep it (owns several other very nice classics) which is what he means by "it will be come apparent" One of the nicest genuine blokes I know

Fair enough, I just thought it read a bit funny. It does look nice!

[Bacchus]

erics said:

or the road version for a lot less:
http://www.gt-spirit.fr/acheter-automobile/mvs-ven...

You can't compare the two cars... My choice would be the 260LM
http://www.motorlegend.com/voiture-collection/vent...

[DevonPaul]

erics said:

or the road version for a lot less:
http://www.gt-spirit.fr/acheter-automobile/mvs-ven...

Wow - have you had a look at their stocklist?
Fiat 500 (proper one, not a Panda in a fat suit), a 25,000 mile Diablo for under £70k, Lancia Fulvia, Porsche 912, even an almost affordabe Porsche 356, although oddly the Maser 3200 and 4200 prices seem double the UK ones.

[del mar]

Morning,

The owner of the blue car has spent a lot of money on it, which in fairness he is looking to recoup - but perhaps he ended up spending too much on it ?

I have found one in France that I might go and look at during Half term, less but probably not in as good condition.

Will report back on my findings.

Thanks

Del

[erics]

DevonPaul said:

Wow - have you had a look at their stocklist?
Fiat 500 (proper one, not a Panda in a fat suit), a 25,000 mile Diablo for under £70k, Lancia Fulvia, Porsche 912, even an almost affordabe Porsche 356, although oddly the Maser 3200 and 4200 prices seem double the UK ones.

Yup, they have some serious oddities in there:

http://www.gt-spirit.fr/acheter-automobile/citroen...

[wessexrfc]

erics said:

Yup, they have some serious oddities in there:

http://www.gt-spirit.fr/acheter-automobile/citroen...

I once owned a BX4x4 estate, there were only about 10 in the country at the time, reason, they were a pile of poo!!!!!
I think I replaced just about everything bar the engine, even had a new sub-frame, it was only 2 years old when I bought it.
Now I only own super reliable cars