[JazzyO]

First start was made on Monday. We're still in preliminary negotiation phase but in principle I have agreed to a full restoration: body, interior and mechanical.

Time to get the sandpaper out and find out if the original paint was still there. Turns out: it wasn't, so it must have been stripped before repainting in red in 1988. Interestingly, though, the bottom did reveal black so it had the Boxer trim then which it is missing right now.

Considering how little this car has driven since 1988, and considering how thin the paint and plaster was, and since there is no sign of rust anywhere, I'm hoping that the body might be in better shape than usual. But we'll see!

The leather, although original, is all hard and will be unusable after taking it off. Although the look of the interior is not that bad, it won't match a perfect exterior. Further inspection reveals that it has shrunk in several places and some parts are missing too. The owner of the Connolly leather brand, and supplier to Ferrari Spa, Henk van Lith, has looked at the interior and recommends redoing it. So I'm definitely leaning towards redoing the interior. All in all it is going to be an expensive and long-term project but it will be worth the trouble, of this I am sure.

I've entrusted Alex Jansen, owner of Forza Service (see pic 1), with the technical side and project management and if you have seen the silver Lusso (http://www.forzaservice.eu/media.htm and http://www.forzaservice.eu/lusso.php) that sold for a record price at Maranello last year then you know he'll be up for the job.

I'll keep you updated with progress on the car in this thread. I'm very excited about this project, I must say.


Onno

[Barry]

Look forward to reading/seeing the progress as the project gets going Onno.

How long do you think it will take?

[JazzyO]

Less than 12 months is the aim. More than anything, it depends on the gaps in the diary of the people I'm looking at using - they are much in demand.


Onno

[Barry]

Have it for, maybe... FLED 5 so?? Good luck with the project. I'm sure it will be worth the wait!

[Vitalone]

Delighted that you have decided to save this 365 BB, Onno. It deserves the best and it is clearly receiving that in your hands. In the long run I think that this is the way to go. There cannot be many 365 BB's left, especially as they only made 387 examples.

I think it would look unbelievable in yellow with black Boxer trim and black or navy or bordeaux or crema interior...

Please keep us posted on this wonderful project.

[JazzyO]

Originally Posted by Vitalone

I think it would look unbelievable in yellow with black Boxer trim and black or navy or bordeaux or crema interior...

It will be restored to its original colours, as specified in the shipping document. Attached a pic from the '70ies of a sister car (identical spec to mine), and some recent pics of #18665 which is the correct colour (exterior, but interior seems to be black). 12 of the 58 Boxers delivered in the UK had this specification. To my knowledge there is NONE left - it will be nice to re-introduce the boys of Albion to this splendor.


Onno

[Boxer]

Great that you are undertaking the project. +1 on restoring it to the original color.

[Granucci]

Like that Blue Beige, and bet it's a rare combo.

Good luck on the appointments, and know they will find 'stuff while in there'. Congrats.

Keep the pics going.

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

One lucky BB to have a compassionate owner like you, Onno. w/ smiles Jimmy

[Boxer]

Persoanl experience, what ever the planned time frame, add an additional six months to sort out all the small issues that will pop up during the project.

[JazzyO]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Persoanl experience, what ever the planned time frame, add an additional six months to sort out all the small issues that will pop up during the project.

I think that in general you would be right. But with Alex as project manager, I think 12 months will be plenty of time. It's one of the reasons I chose him - plenty of other restorers don't know the concept of time passing and are terrible planners. However, if 12 months is not enough, then we've got an extra winter to tack onto the project so she'll be perfect by spring 2011.

Sheesh, that sounds like a LONG time from now!


Onno

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by JazzyO

I think that in general you would be right. But with Alex as project manager, I think 12 months will be plenty of time. It's one of the reasons I chose him - plenty of other restorers don't know the concept of time passing and are terrible planners. However, if 12 months is not enough, then we've got an extra winter to tack onto the project so she'll be perfect by spring 2011.

Sheesh, that sounds like a LONG time from now!


Onno

Yes but realistic.

[IPF]

Truly great car, great project and great team you've assembled: these are some big names, not only within the Dutch scene! Wish you and the BB all the best in the coming year

[212Export]

Congrats to your decision Onno. To me that original coulour looks just phantastic to a 365 BB and bringing it back anyway to original spec is another "cherry" on top of it !

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by IPF

Truly great car, great project and great team you've assembled: these are some big names, not only within the Dutch scene! Wish you and the BB all the best in the coming year

Agree, this likely will be the best 365BB on the planet when done.

[JazzyO]

Got an e-mail from HvL, (www.carinteriors.nl) this morning:

"I am baffled that your car's shipping document lists VM3234 as the original interior colour. This was a colour which had an extra treatment for the grooves in the leather structure, as used by a couple of VM colours. Having seen the car, my suspicion is that possibly a smooth variant was used such as the Conolly Autolux or VM Luxan Grain on special request of the first owner. I come to this conclusion because I did not see the especially treated grooves in your leather which are visible in the original Conolly samples for VM3234".

Blimey. Difficult to understand what he's saying here but I'll have swing by his workshop for an explanation in person. Maybe once I'll see the original samples I'll understand what he's on about. But I'm starting to realise why Ferrari flies this guy to Italy regularly to give his opinion on restoration projects.


Onno

[JazzyO]

First engine tests yesterday. Internal camera work reveals a possible spring broken at cylinder #10. Some small damage. Compression and leak testing 100% fine.

So that seems quite encouraging for initial results. We'll see what comes next.


Onno

[Vitalone]

The best thing that could have happened to this magnificent BB was for her to become part of your stable, Onno. Her original colour looks absolutely stunning. For me the BB is one of the most beautiful cars ever and yours will be amongst the best of the best. Looking forward to following progress on this worthwhile project.

[212Export]

Originally Posted by Vitalone

The best thing that could have happened to this magnificent BB was for her to become part of your stable, Onno. Her original colour looks absolutely stunning. For me the BB is one of the most beautiful cars ever and yours will be amongst the best of the best. Looking forward to following progress on this worthwhile project.

Vitalone: Regarding your comment have you ever planed to look around for a Boxer or will you rather stay with your many cars and have lots of choices therefore ?

[Vitalone]

Originally Posted by 212Export

Vitalone: Regarding your comment have you ever planed to look around for a Boxer or will you rather stay with your many cars and have lots of choices therefore ?

Good question, 212Export. I did once own a Dino Azzurro/crema BB 512 and loved that car. Next time round I think I would aim for the more raw, more exciting BB 365.

Problem is that I get attached to my cars and so instead of selling and buying, I tend only to buy. Adding to the stable takes time as I pay one off and then start to save for a deposit on the next one. Initially I thought of the 308 as one of those cars that I would buy and then sell to move up the ladder but now I am so taken with her that I see most other cars as not a move up the ladder from the 308 but as a different flavour to add to the stable. This 308 is a keeper. And a BB 365 certainly features in my dream garage...