Satan's barge - 1983 Ferrari 400i
Discussion
trevalvole said:
That sounds good value - how many miles has it done and is there any rust? And is it a petrol or a diesel?
It's a petrol with about 185k miles.Seven seats, cupholders for seats 6 & 7 (!), dog net - dazzling array of toys. And it's cavernous. The most modern car I've ever owned. I remember driving a few Mercs like this when they were new and it's coming back to me now how superb they were. There is a lot of rust, but if I can get a couple of years out of it, I'll be happy. It's too far gone to justify throwing a lot of resources at it. Runs and drives fine, though. It was the personal smoker barge of the proprietor of the classic Merc garage that looked after my SL. I think, when it's finally too crusty for an MOT, I'll just buy another.
theadman said:
Glad to hear the car is now back up and running well.
Enjoy it to the full over the summer and please keep posting your exploits.
Enjoy it to the full over the summer and please keep posting your exploits.
I was going to amble over to Ragley Hall in Alcester for a classic show tomorrow, but now I'm discovering how wet it's been here so far this summer, if I can avoid soggy fields, I will. The main event is the European 400 Club's weekend in Deauville at the end of the month.
Some Ferrari foibles and fables. The bonnet, boot and filler flap are all operated on solenoids from these switches on the centre console.
In case the boot switch fails, there is a cable by the nearside rear passenger armrest.
In case the filler flap switch fails, there is a lever in the boot. In case the bonnet switch fails, there are cables under each side of the dash for the two release catches.
My boot and filler cap switches both work, more or less, but the bonnet switch doesn't. Further, the nearside bonnet catch has always released as soon as I go over a bump. Not a problem, as the offside catch works fine, and I could live with the nearside rear corner of the bonnet usually being slightly higher than it otherwise would be. I just pressed it back down whenever I parked up. When I needed to pop the bonnet, I just tugged the emergency release cable on the offside because that was the only side that was secured. When I went to check the oil after a drive on Sunday morning, that nearside corner was perfectly flush. So, it hadn't popped out as usual, which immediately made me suspicious! Sure enough, when the bonnet was last closed, the catch had stuck. Inevitably, the emergency release cable on that doesn't work. It's probably a two person job to apply the right force in the right direction at the right time without causing damage, so I'll pop into my friendly local garage tomorrow and get some assistance to restore access.
I'm am slowly accumulating a little stash of spares. An online trawl of the usual parts suppliers turned up some secondhand ventilation levers. There are four on the centre console, and two of mine are irretrievably chewed up around the edges
so they will be replaced with much shinier ones.
And obviously, to avoid further issues, will never be used again!
There was also a spare switch for the heated rear window, which I picked up secondhand at a useful discount on the new price of £300+. Door check straps were needed for both sides, as I broke one in January and the other was missing. Maranello located new ones for £500 each, which was extremely helpful of them, but I found a car being parted out in Hamburg which still had them, and they were sent over at £500 for the pair including shipping.
I also serendipitously sourced from Amsterdam the holy grail of Ferrari accessories - a tool kit and first aid kit. This wasn't on my shopping list, as I'm more concerned with hoovering up rare parts that I might actually need one day. But, quite a find!
I also have the correct original jack kit - missing only belts for the alternator and steering pump, and a warning triangle, but they are by far the easiest and cheapest pieces to source.
In case the boot switch fails, there is a cable by the nearside rear passenger armrest.
In case the filler flap switch fails, there is a lever in the boot. In case the bonnet switch fails, there are cables under each side of the dash for the two release catches.
My boot and filler cap switches both work, more or less, but the bonnet switch doesn't. Further, the nearside bonnet catch has always released as soon as I go over a bump. Not a problem, as the offside catch works fine, and I could live with the nearside rear corner of the bonnet usually being slightly higher than it otherwise would be. I just pressed it back down whenever I parked up. When I needed to pop the bonnet, I just tugged the emergency release cable on the offside because that was the only side that was secured. When I went to check the oil after a drive on Sunday morning, that nearside corner was perfectly flush. So, it hadn't popped out as usual, which immediately made me suspicious! Sure enough, when the bonnet was last closed, the catch had stuck. Inevitably, the emergency release cable on that doesn't work. It's probably a two person job to apply the right force in the right direction at the right time without causing damage, so I'll pop into my friendly local garage tomorrow and get some assistance to restore access.
I'm am slowly accumulating a little stash of spares. An online trawl of the usual parts suppliers turned up some secondhand ventilation levers. There are four on the centre console, and two of mine are irretrievably chewed up around the edges
so they will be replaced with much shinier ones.
And obviously, to avoid further issues, will never be used again!
There was also a spare switch for the heated rear window, which I picked up secondhand at a useful discount on the new price of £300+. Door check straps were needed for both sides, as I broke one in January and the other was missing. Maranello located new ones for £500 each, which was extremely helpful of them, but I found a car being parted out in Hamburg which still had them, and they were sent over at £500 for the pair including shipping.
I also serendipitously sourced from Amsterdam the holy grail of Ferrari accessories - a tool kit and first aid kit. This wasn't on my shopping list, as I'm more concerned with hoovering up rare parts that I might actually need one day. But, quite a find!
I also have the correct original jack kit - missing only belts for the alternator and steering pump, and a warning triangle, but they are by far the easiest and cheapest pieces to source.
Edited by Rumdoodle on Monday 17th June 20:27
Edited by Rumdoodle on Tuesday 18th June 21:40
I think I have finally consigned to the dustbin of terrible ideas a long-nurtured perverse wish to own a Maserati Quattroporte III. Had a ride in a more modern version today. If I was ever in the market for something of this era, I'd have one of these. Great looking car, interior not cluttered with superfluous gubbins, and this one had a tweaked 4.7 engine. Sounded fantastic.
Edited by Rumdoodle on Thursday 20th June 01:44
bolidemichael said:
So why is it consigned to the bin of terrible ideas if it’s tremendous spankingly marvellous?
I must be tired or due a parrot.
Because that's a Quattroporte V.I must be tired or due a parrot.
This is a Quattroporte III
https://angliacarauctions.co.uk/classic-auctions/2...
Rumdoodle said:
bolidemichael said:
So why is it consigned to the bin of terrible ideas if it’s tremendous spankingly marvellous?
I must be tired or due a parrot.
Because that's a Quattroporte V.I must be tired or due a parrot.
This is a Quattroporte III
https://angliacarauctions.co.uk/classic-auctions/2...
Had a wonderful run out to Shelsley Walsh this evening. Beautiful midsummer skies, empty roads - I later found out that there was a football match on, which might have explained the lack of traffic - and the always charming atmosphere at Shelsley. Went in convoy with a friend in a Boxster.
I remember driving early Boxsters on track when they first came out, but this is the first one I've driven on the road. I couldn't possibly have one - I'd rag it to death every time I got in it
Great cars.
Ferrari is running well. My bonnet now opens, but doesn't shut properly. It's a work in progress
I only have room for one V12 in my life, and this could have been it. A manual Jaguar coupe with those fabulous tailpipes
Modern exotics (a 458?)
Some nice BMWs
'80s coupes
Brit metal
Eclectic mix. The Volvo was simply lovely
I remember driving early Boxsters on track when they first came out, but this is the first one I've driven on the road. I couldn't possibly have one - I'd rag it to death every time I got in it
Great cars.Ferrari is running well. My bonnet now opens, but doesn't shut properly. It's a work in progress
I only have room for one V12 in my life, and this could have been it. A manual Jaguar coupe with those fabulous tailpipes
Modern exotics (a 458?)
Some nice BMWs
'80s coupes
Brit metal
Eclectic mix. The Volvo was simply lovely
Rumdoodle said:
Purosangue said:
Rumdoodle said:
[url]|https://forums-
Is there something you aren't telling us ??ie the AK47 in the back ground
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