I want to buy a car with the essence of a 60's Ferrari for cheap. How?

"cletus44 aka Clayton Seams" (cletus44) 03/29/2015 at 11:17 • Filed to: None

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Like many people, I love 1960's Ferraris. The 275 GTB and the 365 GTB/4 are two of my most favorite cars. However, like 99% of people out there; I can't afford to buy one. So the question is: What car delivers the most Ferrari-esque sensations under $7,000?

Well let's first lay down what I think makes a 60's Ferrari so special.
-A high-winding yowling engine
-Sexy, front-engined styling
-A black dashboard (no wood!) and a giant, thin-rimmed wheel
-Racing pedigree

Now obviously, I won't be able to find ALL of those in one package for my measly $7k but what cars have most of those things?

My first thought was an early Fiat 124 Spider. It looks vaguely like a Ferrari 330 convertible and the Fiat can be bought rather cheaply. It has a high-revving DOHC engine that makes lovely noises and they come with (faux) wood steering wheels. But I just don't know if four cylinders are enough to cut the mustard in the exotic sound department.

My next target became the 1972 Jaguar XJ12. 1972 was the only year that the V12 was available in the series one body. The plusses here are namely that it's a real V12 and it's carbureted too. The interior is lovely and a wooden Nardi wheel would look fantastic. But now the drawbacks. Most XJ12's were sold with automatics and that just won't do in a car I want to feel like a Ferrari. There's also the issue of the horrible electronics and the general stench of Leyland workmanship that would have to be removed from every major area of the car. AND it's a rather large sedan. In the end, this route just seemed like too much work.

So I've decided to think smaller. The Triumph GT6 is the best car I've thought of for delivering a 1960's Ferrari experience. It has a small, 2L I6 engine that, while not exactly high-tech or high-revving offers a great yowling soundtrack. The fastback style was designed by Michelotti and the interior is fantastic. As an added bonus, these cars have race history in SCCA championships and the similar Spitfire competed at Le Mans.

So the Triumph GT6 is my best idea for providing sensations similar to a 1960's Ferrari for $7k. What do you guys think?

bob and john > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 03/29/2015 at 11:22

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My first though is a fiat or an alfa to be frank with you.

TheHondaBro > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 03/29/2015 at 11:23

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Get a flamethrower.

My citroen won't start > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 03/29/2015 at 11:23

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In manual flavor.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 03/29/2015 at 11:25

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$7k Should get a pretty decent Saab Sonett or Opel GT.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > My citroen won't start 03/29/2015 at 11:26

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For $7k? I wish!

aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 03/29/2015 at 11:28

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ok so maybe a opel gt isn't very fast

nor do they have the best sound

but it looks like dino 246

Brian Silvestro > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 03/29/2015 at 11:29

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240/60/80Z

Dsscats > Brian Silvestro 03/29/2015 at 11:34

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Actually, this nailed it. It wasn't what came to mind initially, but really hits the criteria

My citroen won't start > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 03/29/2015 at 11:37

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http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/… meh, lots of autos though.

Slave2anMG > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 03/29/2015 at 11:38

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240Z?

stuttgartobsessed > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 03/29/2015 at 11:38

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You forgot About Alfa Romeo!

Decent examples can be had for under $7k. If you're willing do some work/regular maintenance they are fantastic.

yamahog > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 03/29/2015 at 11:38

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You mean the sensation of money flying out of your wallet? ;)

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 03/29/2015 at 11:38

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Can you tell what this is? A hint is they have an interior option inspired by Ferrari.

KatzManDu > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 03/29/2015 at 11:41

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If you asked this 10 years ago it would be easier. But there are still cars out there...

240Z/280Z

Opel GT

A Corvette C3 with a manual and modded suspension. Later ones with rubber bumpers will be less expensive.

MG GT

Porsche 944

BMW 8-series. It has presence. It has a sporty shape and is a nice GT car. There are likely some out there which have fallen into the $7k range. Plus, V12.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-8-Seri…

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > My citroen won't start 03/29/2015 at 11:46

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The only C3's you're going to find in good condition for under $7k are '75s-'82s, most of which will be autos.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 03/29/2015 at 11:48

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How about a Monza Spyder, if you can find one? Its been said to look like a mini version of the 365 GTC/4.

EDIT: Didn't read your post fully. This car will produce no Ferrari-esque sensations whatsoever. I just thought you wanted a car that kind of resembles a Ferrari.

MultiplaOrgasms > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 03/29/2015 at 11:53

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Behold, the Glas/BMW GT

Kailand09 > Brian Silvestro 03/29/2015 at 11:54

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came here to say this exactly

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > My citroen won't start 03/29/2015 at 11:59

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There is also the fact that the engine in those is the opposite of high-winding or yowling.

I suppose it does meet the being loud requirement.

My citroen won't start > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 03/29/2015 at 12:07

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I went for loud.

glemon > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 03/29/2015 at 12:09

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Given that I am a brit car guy and own a Triumph TR250, I like your idea of a gt6, but I would try to find an Alfa GTV 6 instead, they are getting a little more pricey, but I still think you could find a runner for 7k.

Nice exhaust note and Italian flavored exterior and interior.

Frenchlicker > aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe 03/29/2015 at 12:11

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I still really ant one of these. If one would be willing to take on a momentous project they could put one of the new 4 cylinder engines and swap it and it's electronics and have a properly amazing car.

Wilsonic > Brian Silvestro 03/29/2015 at 12:20

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My first thought too. Not just for the styling either, when you make the inline six in one of these breathe it can make quite a sound. For example:

JDIGGS > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 03/29/2015 at 13:54

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fiat 124

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ 03/29/2015 at 14:36

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Miata is not always the answer

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 03/29/2015 at 14:54

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Are you sure? Lol

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Brian Silvestro 03/29/2015 at 17:09

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Hmmmm I' just don't know if I'm down with a 240. I love them and they're great cars but they're 70's cars not 60's cars. It meets everything in my criteria and yet I just can't do it. Though the L24 engine is a masterpiece. Can you even find a drivable 240Z in Canada for $7k?

Brian Silvestro > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 03/29/2015 at 17:20

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in Canada? how about all of the rust belt.

any driveable 240/60/80z is in CA

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 03/29/2015 at 18:17

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I have a 71' 240Z, there are still people bringing them out into the light after being stored. I got mine from a shed basically. But they are a lot rarer now, I almost never see one in the Bay Area, so many rusted in back yards. Go for the 240, the later cars get heavier and the engines may be more powerful but they are all around heavier, too much mass. It really is a 60's car, it was designed in the 60's and sold by 69. Driving a 240 is basically a 60's car, there aren't any comforts. They do have factory disks on the front, I got a kit for the rear and added a 5 speed for top end, much better on the highway. Triple carbs roaring around is as close as you can get to feeling like a 60's GT car worth much much more. If you drove a well tuned one you might have a smile on your face.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > MultiplaOrgasms 03/29/2015 at 18:18

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I so would if I ever found one!

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) 03/29/2015 at 18:20

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Great info! I used to own a 280ZX and I loved it. Porky and soft as it was, it still had that classic straight six sex appeal that the 240Z's are famous for. I'll keep my eyes peeled but a cheap 240Z is becoming more and more rare.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 03/29/2015 at 18:30

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For sure, if you want one now is the time. I get notes on mine all the time. Clean ones are going up in value, especially a 70 or 71. I have an early 71 which is actually the best year to own because it has all the good stuff but with a few improvements over the 70's with the hatch vents, the series I are worth more but the have a weird cabin pressure issue they solved with the vents behind the 3/4 window and removing the hatch vents. It was sucking exhaust in too, which can still happen if your hatch seals etc are crap or any holes have formed behind the tail lights. One great thing about the Zs is that so many parts are available and so many people race them so there are tons of options and solutions. Its as easy to own as a 60's Mustang, fenders and all the bits are available through a few sites like the Z Store, Z Car Source and Black Dragon Auto.

MultiplaOrgasms > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 03/29/2015 at 21:13

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However I just realized that one of these in good condition can cost up to 30 grand. Pity.

Fun Fact: The Glas GT was one of the first cars to make use of a timing belt.

punkgoose17 > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 03/30/2015 at 15:30

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How about an square bodied Supra? There are always some listed under $7k on my local craigslist.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > punkgoose17 03/30/2015 at 15:38

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I think it would be a stretch to call that a 1960's experience.