Discussion
I am in the rather fortunate position to be considering a 246GT of 1970-72 ish vintage, but am slightly befuddled by the best route to find a really really good one and also need someone who knows them inside out to check it out prior to purchase.
Any help on (a) best source (Ferrari OC?) and (b) someone who knows their onions to check it out.
Cheers
Captain C
Any help on (a) best source (Ferrari OC?) and (b) someone who knows their onions to check it out.
Cheers
Captain C
Do some searches on clubscuderia.co.uk. Few owners on there.
Though much as it pains me to suggest it, you should also look on ferrarichat.com. Their vintage section used to be very good (not used the site in a couple of years).
I would say one of the best places to look for a Dino is Nick Cartwright (either to source one or to check one out).
I know Verdis have a couple (silver GT, red just being restored GTS). Whilst he doesn't like the older stuff (he has no taste), Karl knows his onions.
Other than that, keep your eye out in the classic car mags, the auction houses (Coys etc) and check out the Ferrari owners site.
Lovely cars, but be quick. They seem to be increasing in value weekly! Good luck in the search. There really is nothing like a classic Ferrari!
Though much as it pains me to suggest it, you should also look on ferrarichat.com. Their vintage section used to be very good (not used the site in a couple of years).
I would say one of the best places to look for a Dino is Nick Cartwright (either to source one or to check one out).
I know Verdis have a couple (silver GT, red just being restored GTS). Whilst he doesn't like the older stuff (he has no taste), Karl knows his onions.
Other than that, keep your eye out in the classic car mags, the auction houses (Coys etc) and check out the Ferrari owners site.
Lovely cars, but be quick. They seem to be increasing in value weekly! Good luck in the search. There really is nothing like a classic Ferrari!
Agree that Cartwright has a high reputation for Dino knowledge and work. I see you are in Surrey - you could do worse than talk to Rardley Motors in Grayshott/Hindhead; they have always been helpful in my dealings with them.
Look at this month's Evo - there is a good 246GT drive story.
Are you the Captain C who used to have a Seven?
Look at this month's Evo - there is a good 246GT drive story.
Are you the Captain C who used to have a Seven?
I have looked closely at 246's (as I think it is a fabulous car).
A couple of years ago there were a few around at less than 40k - one reason for this is that it has been a less fashionable car due to it not being called a "Ferari" (many people put Ferrari badges on the back, I believe incorrectly - I stand to be corrected on this...).
However, the truth is that the 246 Dino is a fabulous car. It is a proper old skool Ferrari, looks amazing (imho), drives brilliantly and is super desirable.
The downside of a 246 is that when it was built, it was made of slightly lower grade metal, and I believe other corners were cut, so it is prone to rusting etc.
If you get the wrong car, sooner or later will need to restore it, and this is very expensive indeed. That's why a recently restored car can now cost in excess of 100K. To be honest the 246 is now going up in value very quickly, just like the 365 Daytona and 250 GT Lusso before it (4 years ago you could get a Lusso for 120-130k, now you won't see one under 200K).
There are less 246s on the market now, as anyone that has had one for a while, and it could do with restoring, will wait for values to climb to a point where it is economically viable to restore it and still sell at a profit.
I reckon the best buy is probably a recently restored car (last 10 years or so)- so long as it is thouroughly checked by a specialist (someone like Nick Cartwright, Bob Houghton etc) - there are a few around at the 60-70k level.
However, with older cars, it is always best to get the best condition car possible, preferably with a recent restoration paid for by someone else. Problem with this plan is that the people selling these cars (Nick Cartwright etc) are asking way beyond top dollar - though I guess this will become the value if people are prepared to pay......
I think really with something like this you have several options - get a reasonably priced car, enjoy it, and maybe face a big restoration bill at some point, although in the future this may be a much smaller percentage of its restored value, or pay over the odds for a minter, but not have the restoration bill.
The car I'd get would be a 250GTE, but these are dissapaering from the market place these days too.
A couple of years ago there were a few around at less than 40k - one reason for this is that it has been a less fashionable car due to it not being called a "Ferari" (many people put Ferrari badges on the back, I believe incorrectly - I stand to be corrected on this...).
However, the truth is that the 246 Dino is a fabulous car. It is a proper old skool Ferrari, looks amazing (imho), drives brilliantly and is super desirable.
The downside of a 246 is that when it was built, it was made of slightly lower grade metal, and I believe other corners were cut, so it is prone to rusting etc.
If you get the wrong car, sooner or later will need to restore it, and this is very expensive indeed. That's why a recently restored car can now cost in excess of 100K. To be honest the 246 is now going up in value very quickly, just like the 365 Daytona and 250 GT Lusso before it (4 years ago you could get a Lusso for 120-130k, now you won't see one under 200K).
There are less 246s on the market now, as anyone that has had one for a while, and it could do with restoring, will wait for values to climb to a point where it is economically viable to restore it and still sell at a profit.
I reckon the best buy is probably a recently restored car (last 10 years or so)- so long as it is thouroughly checked by a specialist (someone like Nick Cartwright, Bob Houghton etc) - there are a few around at the 60-70k level.
However, with older cars, it is always best to get the best condition car possible, preferably with a recent restoration paid for by someone else. Problem with this plan is that the people selling these cars (Nick Cartwright etc) are asking way beyond top dollar - though I guess this will become the value if people are prepared to pay......
I think really with something like this you have several options - get a reasonably priced car, enjoy it, and maybe face a big restoration bill at some point, although in the future this may be a much smaller percentage of its restored value, or pay over the odds for a minter, but not have the restoration bill.
The car I'd get would be a 250GTE, but these are dissapaering from the market place these days too.
Edited by guydw on Thursday 31st May 11:30
guydw said:
The car I'd get would be a 250GTE, but these are dissapaering from the market place these days too.
shhh - their values have nigh on doubled in the past 3 years, depressingly.I'm waiting for a "correction" in which I expect the less desirable cars to drop in value first. The last time this happened, the market was flooded with 330s and the likes whose value was far below what it had taken to restore them
me and you both Rubystone - not holding my breath though.....
The next Ferrar to "get fashionable" is the 328 imho - a fabulous car for the money, probably the last of the "classic Ferraris....
I think we're seeing the Countach do the same thing as the 246 (and the Daytona before it...) - as well as 60s-70s Masers (Ghibli etc).
People with Espadas and Urracos should hang on them I reckon....
The next Ferrar to "get fashionable" is the 328 imho - a fabulous car for the money, probably the last of the "classic Ferraris....
I think we're seeing the Countach do the same thing as the 246 (and the Daytona before it...) - as well as 60s-70s Masers (Ghibli etc).
People with Espadas and Urracos should hang on them I reckon....
Edited by guydw on Thursday 31st May 11:56
Problem is - these things aren't a well kept secret....
The upside of this is that whilst older cars such as Dinos and Countaches may rise beyond the reach of us mere mortals, there are plenty of newer cars that are yet to hit the bottom of their depreciation curve, such as 355, 550, Diablo and newer cars too......
Bring it on !
The upside of this is that whilst older cars such as Dinos and Countaches may rise beyond the reach of us mere mortals, there are plenty of newer cars that are yet to hit the bottom of their depreciation curve, such as 355, 550, Diablo and newer cars too......
Bring it on !
guydw said:
The upside of this is that whilst older cars such as Dinos and Countaches may rise beyond the reach of us mere mortals....
Check the prices - you might be pleasantly surprised. There's a limited market for some of these cars - if you wanted to, you could get into a Testarossa for the price of a 355. shhhhhhh - Don't mention the T word......
Thing is, when I go through the "should I buy a Testarossa" issue, I then start looking at the 512TR, very good value imho - problem is, I don't think I could get it up my road to my house .....
But what a thing to own ..... soooooooo tempting...
How much do you reckon a basic TR would cost to run ? Say under 6k miles a year ? I think they aren't everyones cup of tea, and since they were superceded by the 512TR / M I think values have stayed low. Won't last forever.....
Thing is, when I go through the "should I buy a Testarossa" issue, I then start looking at the 512TR, very good value imho - problem is, I don't think I could get it up my road to my house .....
But what a thing to own ..... soooooooo tempting...
How much do you reckon a basic TR would cost to run ? Say under 6k miles a year ? I think they aren't everyones cup of tea, and since they were superceded by the 512TR / M I think values have stayed low. Won't last forever.....
guydw said:
shhhhhhh - Don't mention the T word......
Thing is, when I go through the "should I buy a Testarossa" issue, I then start looking at the 512TR, very good value imho - problem is, I don't think I could get it up my road to my house .....
But what a thing to own ..... soooooooo tempting...
How much do you reckon a basic TR would cost to run ? Say under 6k miles a year ? I think they aren't everyones cup of tea, and since they were superceded by the 512TR / M I think values have stayed low. Won't last forever.....
IU'm sure YellowTR will be along soon with accurate figures. As you say, the 512M is the one that is the most valuedThing is, when I go through the "should I buy a Testarossa" issue, I then start looking at the 512TR, very good value imho - problem is, I don't think I could get it up my road to my house .....
But what a thing to own ..... soooooooo tempting...
How much do you reckon a basic TR would cost to run ? Say under 6k miles a year ? I think they aren't everyones cup of tea, and since they were superceded by the 512TR / M I think values have stayed low. Won't last forever.....
Robertf said:
Definitely worth talking to Foskers at Brands hatch. Very experienced with Dinos and a good few concours restorations behind them. Nice guys too.
I bought my GTS from them 4 years ago and have been very pleased with it and the service I have received. It continus to be maintained by them.Gassing Station | Supercar General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff