I really like the Ferrari 2+2's...am I nuts?
 

The Mondial for one, but especially that F400/F412. I'm sure the maintenance is insane on these things. The F412 seems like a great candidate for an LS motor swap given the GM transmission it uses.

I realize I probably shouldn't say stuff like that in public but surely I'm not the only one.

i almost bought daft punk's ferrari 412 back in april. i think they're cool

There's one at my mechanics....neat car, for sale...think he said 27...needs a little cosmetic work

Oh no, if you're gonna buy a 2+2 it has to be this:

http://www.ssip.net/upload/ferrari-330-gt-front-1_183.jpg

Of course the single headlight model with the better trans would be a total score.

http://www.motivemagazine.com/emAlbu...gt-2+2-001.jpg

27 seems a little steep IMO. 22-24 maybe depending on the year.

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one. I made a comment like this on a Ferrari forum and got the ice treatment.

Most 2+2 cars are cool. Ferrari even more so.

Some people DIY the hardest things you could imagine on these cars... Otherwise you'd have to be a millionaire with no wife to afford one.

My first cousin rebuilt a 70s Ferrari engine in his own garage... Even then he spent over $30,000 in parts and that was 15 years ago!
Surprisingly the electrics in his car were brilliant. Simple and robust if you can believe that.

That's why its not in my garage. I made an offer of 18....no dice.....of course that was probably 3 months ago....

I like them as well. They don't look good in photos, but in person, they have a tight GT car look.

It would really have to be a love affair if you wanted to keep the original drivetrain and use it on a regular basis.

http://www.auto-sep.com/images/412.JPG

My understanding is the mondials are complete POS-es but this is just second hand from someone I know who has owned one.

Someday I'll own either a 512BB, a 430, an F40 or F50. I actually spent some "up close time" with a 430 yesterday at a local dealership; it's a beautiful car and has impressive stats. The biggest complaint I have is that (IMHO) the interior layout sucks. It looks really goofy and is a mish-mash of geometric forms and sizes and materials that don't work well together. Just my $0.02 and I realize that one doesn't buy a 430 for the interior, but if I'm ever spending north of $100k on a car I want and expect EVERYTHING to be tight and appealing.

There are a couple of Maseratis that I really like and am giving some serious thought to... Their styling has gotten really, really nice.

Subscribed.

I love the older Ferarris. That mish mash of geometric forms in the interior makes it all the cooler, like an airplane!

I was riding my bike this afternoon and a beautiful late model Ferrari passed me.
There was an old man at the wheel. Maybe 70 something with a big pink face. I couldn't help but laugh.

They are beautiful and if you can afford one... Then why not?

Here's a thread on Fchat you might enjoy: What is The Ugliest Ferrari Ever Built?

Expect the usual Fchat bickering . . .

Ian

I like all the Ferrari 2+2s!

But, for some reason, I tend to like a lot of cars that others dislike.

I like the 308GT4. I think it's a great little car. Small, light with the carbed Ferrari V8. Like a lot of 70s cars, the US big bumpers were kinda ugly. Euro versions looked great.

I like it's successor, the Mondial. The Mondial isn't a POS. Or, if it is, then the 308 and 328 are POSs. They are mechanically the same cars. Exact same engines, transmissions, brakes. Tube frame chassis on both, etc. The early US 2 valve Mondials were simply too slow, though, and got them off to a bad start in the US. The 3.2 and 3.4 had good power for the time (260 and 300 hp) and were fun cars.

a 4 seat full convertible V8 Ferrari that can be DIY'd. what's not to like?

I like the 400s, too, except I don't like the fact that so many are automatics. A 5 speed 400 would be a sweet car to have.

Yea the primary complaint I heard was that they're dogs and aren't nearly worth the trouble and maintenance/upkeep headaches as they lack the sex appeal of the "higher end" F cars. Then again the guy who told me all this owned a Massrati Biturbo as well so his judgement is questionable anyway - and he clearly is a sucker for expensive, quirky cars that are slow and don't look all that good... Your mileage may vary I guess...

I came very close to buying a 308GT4. I like odd ball cars I guess.

I think a 400 is one of the prettiest GT 2+2's. Someday I'll have to grow up and buy a GT 2+2, and a 400 w/ engine transplant is on the contender list. How is the availability of the non-drivetrain bits? Body electric, etc?

Very nice photos. I really like the blue 412.

Does anyone else think these would make good LS motor transplant candidates? Sure, you'd have the Ferrari crowd sending you death threats, but there goes a lot of the F-car probs right out the door: the maintenance costs would drop and you'd get way more HP.

They'd make great candidates for an LS swap. But the V12 motors aren't known to fail. It's all the little trim pieces and electronics that will nickel and dime (and benjamin) you to death.

If one were serious, simply keep the V12 and everything that was removed. There's nothing in that swap that can't be undone.....it's not like converting an aircooled 911 to Chebby power.

BTW, I've heard of someone planning to convert a Mondial transverse to a LS4 (from Pontiac Grand Prix GXP). I'm not sure what the status of that project is, but that's a neat idea.

Yanking the Ferrari engine wouldn't accomplish much. The service costs related to the motor aren't that high, the chassis wouldn't like the extra power (it's a softly tuned GT car, not a sports car) and you wouldn't have a Ferrari any more. The older cars were all about the engine. Lose that and the whole car is pointless.

Parts availability isn't the greatest, on a car of that era. Know that going in...

JR