8/11/10
A Special Opportunity

I had a chance to see something very special the other day. It was a GTE that has been parked for over 40 years!! I’ve known about this car for about 2 years, and finally had a chance to see it, and it is just about everything I had hoped for.

The owner is thinking about selling this car, but only to the right buyer that would save it and not chop it up for the benefit of an owner of a SWB or GTO like so many GTEs before.

I understand the economics of the situation, and have heard many a lecture on how these cars are worth more for their engines and bits than restoring them as a whole, and making money is far more important than trying to save a lowly GTE, but I disagree.

This car had an engine problem back in 1967 and was parked. The failure warranted a full engine rebuild, but the owner never got back to it. Luckily, the rest of the car is in practically the same shape as it was when she was parked 43 years ago. All the weather stripping is supple, and the chrome is good. The leather interior is not cracked, but will need a good conditioning. The lacquer gray paint shows some minor cracking at some corners, but is generally good. In the hands of the skilled detailer, I’m sure it will look fantastic.

Underneath shows no rust and she still has the original Abarth exhaust system!

Although the this is a Series I car, the car was modified to fit the Series III tail lights. The story is this was a factory modification for the first owner who had this car serviced by the factory when she was young. While in for service, the factory sold the owner these types of updates. If you look closely, you can see a small piece of metal at the bottom of the tail light housing to fit the Series III lights to the Series I body work.

There were all sorts of details I saw on this car that were preserved over the years. It was like an archaeological dig, and I had only scratched the surface! This car’s history, and level of preservation really should be saved and documented and I’m looking for someone to join me in this project. I would like to find a buyer for this car who would be interested in saving and preserving it as a “survivor” car. She needs the mechanicals repaired, which at least includes the following:
Engine rebuild
Brake system rebuild
Fuel system rebuild
Cooling system rebuild
Suspension need inspection and repairs if necessary

I do not want to paint the car, nor restore any of the cosmetics. This car is a perfect “Prevervation Class” candidate.

My dream would be to find the right buyer with the same sensibility to save this car, allow me to put her back on the road, and document the process on this website. This could be the next great adventure on tomyang.net, and I’m looking for someone who wants to be a part of it. E-mail me if you’re interested!

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