Road trip in a 70's or 80's Ferrari? Bad idea?
Discussion
It's well worth travelling with a young baby - they break the ice everywhere, and as long as you can get some sleep, they are great to travel with. And as you're in a car, if they're not sleeping overnight, then just stay in that place longer.....
But you need to realise that they have no idea of patience, so whilst you may be happy sitting at the side of the road for 4 hours waiting for a breakdown truck, they might be a little grumpy at that - so as long as you have funds to bail you out (i.e. child and partner to hotel in taxi, you waiting there until recovered, getting hire car) it can be a little bit of a trial. But the benefits are fantastic.
As the speed is not going to be such an issue (baby on board, a bit tired, etc) you might like to look at other characterful cars, classics included, that might hue cheaper and so you could get a better more fully sorted e.g. for the same money. E.g. M3, Bentley GTC, American muscle car, RS4, Evora, classic merc?
Or, take a standard boring car, and look to hire interesting things along the way for a day or two at a time?
But you need to realise that they have no idea of patience, so whilst you may be happy sitting at the side of the road for 4 hours waiting for a breakdown truck, they might be a little grumpy at that - so as long as you have funds to bail you out (i.e. child and partner to hotel in taxi, you waiting there until recovered, getting hire car) it can be a little bit of a trial. But the benefits are fantastic.
As the speed is not going to be such an issue (baby on board, a bit tired, etc) you might like to look at other characterful cars, classics included, that might hue cheaper and so you could get a better more fully sorted e.g. for the same money. E.g. M3, Bentley GTC, American muscle car, RS4, Evora, classic merc?
Or, take a standard boring car, and look to hire interesting things along the way for a day or two at a time?
Babies and even small toddlers in car seats should be no longer than 60-90 minutes at a time with a gap outside the seat of similar length
That's why these integrated systems (can clip car seat into stroller) are stupid as where do you drive to and bag (bar maybe the shops) that your whole time out is only 90 minutes.
That's why these integrated systems (can clip car seat into stroller) are stupid as where do you drive to and bag (bar maybe the shops) that your whole time out is only 90 minutes.
How times and values have changes - were these not really really £5k cheap 15-20years ago. I’m sure Wheelerdealers had the Dino in with a knocked front corner that Ed China bodged a repair.
The 400 I’ve only seen a couple in shows - one an extremely tired example the other in good order but against the other exotica Ferrari owners had on display it had a passing glance.
Today I’d spend a lot more time enjoying the design and out of these two ignoring £ and miles I’d go 400 bigger grand tourer and it simply looks a bit more cool.
The 400 I’ve only seen a couple in shows - one an extremely tired example the other in good order but against the other exotica Ferrari owners had on display it had a passing glance.
Today I’d spend a lot more time enjoying the design and out of these two ignoring £ and miles I’d go 400 bigger grand tourer and it simply looks a bit more cool.
As the new owner of a Mondial, have you considered one? Mechanically similar to the GT4/308/328 but with more space and a bit more modern, it to mention a magnitude cheaper.
I haven’t done many miles in mine (it’s been at Migliore for the last month having the fuel gauge sorted) but they are all relatively simple robust cars.
I haven’t done many miles in mine (it’s been at Migliore for the last month having the fuel gauge sorted) but they are all relatively simple robust cars.
In recent years I've done identical big cross Europe trips in a 308 Carb and F430 manual. No contest, the 308 was far more enjoyable. Such a simple car and other than some slight concern in traffic on a hot day when the needle edged up a bit it ran faultlessly. The more these cars are used the better they run
Welshbeef said:
How times and values have changes - were these not really really £5k cheap 15-20years ago. I’m sure Wheelerdealers had the Dino in with a knocked front corner that Ed China bodged a repair.
The 400 I’ve only seen a couple in shows - one an extremely tired example the other in good order but against the other exotica Ferrari owners had on display it had a passing glance.
Today I’d spend a lot more time enjoying the design and out of these two ignoring £ and miles I’d go 400 bigger grand tourer and it simply looks a bit more cool.
I remember that show and Brewer stole the GT4 at £9k but it was a rental car and tatty to be fair.The 400 I’ve only seen a couple in shows - one an extremely tired example the other in good order but against the other exotica Ferrari owners had on display it had a passing glance.
Today I’d spend a lot more time enjoying the design and out of these two ignoring £ and miles I’d go 400 bigger grand tourer and it simply looks a bit more cool.
The 400 has aged very gracefully.
Back in 2011 I bought a 308GTS as my 35th bday pressie to myself. Flew back from CH, picked her up from the dealer Standstead way and then just drove her back. Was on the channel that afternoon. Drove her all the way back down to Zurich over a cpl of days. Stopped in rest areas for a Kip a few times when I wanted. Air con didn’t really work, radio sort of worked, ish. Used her as a summer car that year. Drove her back that autumn and flogged her.
Now then, someone has already mentioned the rhd/lhd thing. I cannot over emphasise how crucially mind blowing important this is, above all other considerations! BUY A LHD!!!
The rhd version WILL cripple you. 1970s Italian communists HATED everything about the liberal pansy soft capitalist Anglo Saxon t
ts who demanded rhd and as such made their cars torture devices. And I’m only just barely exaggerating
Now then, someone has already mentioned the rhd/lhd thing. I cannot over emphasise how crucially mind blowing important this is, above all other considerations! BUY A LHD!!!
The rhd version WILL cripple you. 1970s Italian communists HATED everything about the liberal pansy soft capitalist Anglo Saxon t
ts who demanded rhd and as such made their cars torture devices. And I’m only just barely exaggerating
I echo others' sentiments about the benefits of a well used older Ferrari.
In my experience, so many of the reasons that older Ferrari's can be problematic are due to months (and sometimes years) of inactivity. My 456 had been bought and stored for 3 years by the previous owner. The tyres were from 2011, the windscreen washer system was blocked by rust and one of the brake lines was blocked by crystals formed in the brake fluid.
I really enjoyed the whole process of recommissioning the car myself, including changing the fluids everywhere, pads, spark pluges, all filters etc. The timing belts were replaced for £280 labour.
To the OP, if you buy a regularly used older Ferrari you will likely be fine, as any issues will have become apparent with regularuse. These cars have very few ECU and sensor issues that can plague a later car like the 612 (ask me how I know!).
Go and have an adventure, just don't rely on a garage queen as the transport for your adventure.
In my experience, so many of the reasons that older Ferrari's can be problematic are due to months (and sometimes years) of inactivity. My 456 had been bought and stored for 3 years by the previous owner. The tyres were from 2011, the windscreen washer system was blocked by rust and one of the brake lines was blocked by crystals formed in the brake fluid.
I really enjoyed the whole process of recommissioning the car myself, including changing the fluids everywhere, pads, spark pluges, all filters etc. The timing belts were replaced for £280 labour.
To the OP, if you buy a regularly used older Ferrari you will likely be fine, as any issues will have become apparent with regularuse. These cars have very few ECU and sensor issues that can plague a later car like the 612 (ask me how I know!).
Go and have an adventure, just don't rely on a garage queen as the transport for your adventure.
I had a 1986 Mondial QV fully restored in Grigio metallic but sadly sold 3 years ago now, after months of light mechanical restoration including body respray I took her straight on a European road trip. I did most of the work myself and is part of the fun with a classic. The Mondial is a decent 4 seater, comfortable and actually handles really well.
Took the car on her first long road trip under my ownership from the UK across to Belgium, with other Mondial + Ferrari enthusiasts. We even took our cars to Belgium Spa.
One of the best experiences I’ve ever done, thoroughly enjoyed it.
As it was a true test of nerves straight after restoration and getting to know the car, the only things which went wrong was a snapped AC belt and dodgy spark plug.
Do it, but maybe get to know your car first and have some decent European breakdown cover just in case plus take a few spares with you!
Like others have said, these older Ferraris don’t like sitting around and like to be driven but not abused.
Here is a photo of it at the Belgium Spa circuit…
Took the car on her first long road trip under my ownership from the UK across to Belgium, with other Mondial + Ferrari enthusiasts. We even took our cars to Belgium Spa.
One of the best experiences I’ve ever done, thoroughly enjoyed it.
As it was a true test of nerves straight after restoration and getting to know the car, the only things which went wrong was a snapped AC belt and dodgy spark plug.
Do it, but maybe get to know your car first and have some decent European breakdown cover just in case plus take a few spares with you!
Like others have said, these older Ferraris don’t like sitting around and like to be driven but not abused.
Here is a photo of it at the Belgium Spa circuit…
Edited by RedLightGreenLight on Wednesday 20th April 21:51
In my experience a GT4 might have issues but will keep going and get you home. I bought a 208 GT4 in Italy and drove it 1200 miles home. It did need topping up with coolant and oil, but it had been sitting for a long time.
By comparison my experience of Porsches of similar vintage - the 928 - was that it worked well or not all all.
Also as a long term ownership prospect, my GT4 has been cheaper to maintain than a 928 and easier to find someone who knows their way around them.
By comparison my experience of Porsches of similar vintage - the 928 - was that it worked well or not all all.
Also as a long term ownership prospect, my GT4 has been cheaper to maintain than a 928 and easier to find someone who knows their way around them.
I did this in a 400 that I bought earlier this year. It had been pretty carefully recommissioned after over a decade in storage, but I fully expected a few snags. After clocking up a couple of hundred miles close to home with no issues beyond an easily rectified leak from the self-levelling system, I went from Oxfordshire to west Wales. At the furthest point from home, the oil cooler packed up, necessitating a twelve hour recovery back to England. End of holiday! But, luckily no damage done. Since then, it's had a new set of tyres - the set it came with were from 2005 
- and done another 700 miles or so, and it's been lovely. Just want to drive and drive and drive. It's supremely comfortable and effortlessly fast, with plenty of boot space. Fuel consumption is epic, obviously, but not substantially worse than the modern cars, based on some of the accounts I've read on here.
- and done another 700 miles or so, and it's been lovely. Just want to drive and drive and drive. It's supremely comfortable and effortlessly fast, with plenty of boot space. Fuel consumption is epic, obviously, but not substantially worse than the modern cars, based on some of the accounts I've read on here. Edited by Rumdoodle on Saturday 1st October 23:42
I acquired a 328GTS that had been in storage for 10 years and after a reasonable check and change of belts and fluids by a specialist and new tyres off we set for LeMans classic, it ran like a sewing machine and even managed 150 on the parade lap, we got 32mpg average on the 2000 mile trip as well, our only problem was the electrics if it rained but then its Italian so you expect that!
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