[Trainman]

I think I entered the forum a little backwards...I started off with a 308 Owners List post, then a repair thread rather than a proper introduction!

So here's an intro:

I've been an owner since 2000 with a 1985 308 GTSi. (Blue Chiaro, SN 57563) Unfortunately, the car blew a head gasket a year later, and has been resting patiently in the garage since then. A lot of "life" has occurred in the past ten years that kept the project in the background, and I am just now getting back to it. The rebuild project and a link to owner's list pix can be seen here: 85 GTSi Head Gasket Nightmare

My Ferrari experience has been fairly frustrating, but the time that the car did work was magic. I'm looking forward to getting it running again and having a chance to really learn the car.

Prior to my foray into Ferrari ownership, I spent all of my automotive time playing with Mopar stuff. Too numerous and off topic to list here, but the highlights include my '71 Challenger convertible which I still have and drive on sunny days. Total engine rebuild in 1992 and full resto in 2000.



and a stint of drag racing with a 440 powered Plymouth Duster:



The Duster was a blast. It could run 11.90" at Bandimere Speedway, which would be low 11's down where there's real air. All that on a hydraulic cam and single 4bbl carb.

I do most all of my own wrench turning. I don't have a machine shop, so once the bits are apart, heavy duty stuff goes out. (heads & blocks... etc...)

Hopefully, the 308 will be back by spring and I'll get some real driving time in next year before the urge to tinker catches up.

Gene

[champagne612]

Originally Posted by Trainman

I think I entered the forum a little backwards...I started off with a 308 Owners List post, then a repair thread rather than a proper introduction!

So here's an intro:

I've been an owner since 2000 with a 1985 308 GTSi. (Blue Chiaro, SN 57563) Unfortunately, the car blew a head gasket a year later, and has been resting patiently in the garage since then. A lot of "life" has occurred in the past ten years that kept the project in the background, and I am just now getting back to it. The rebuild project and a link to owner's list pix can be seen here: 85 GTSi Head Gasket Nightmare

My Ferrari experience has been fairly frustrating, but the time that the car did work was magic. I'm looking forward to getting it running again and having a chance to really learn the car.

Prior to my foray into Ferrari ownership, I spent all of my automotive time playing with Mopar stuff. Too numerous and off topic to list here, but the highlights include my '71 Challenger convertible which I still have and drive on sunny days. Total engine rebuild in 1992 and full resto in 2000.



and a stint of drag racing with a 440 powered Plymouth Duster:



The Duster was a blast. It could run 11.90" at Bandimere Speedway, which would be low 11's down where there's real air. All that on a hydraulic cam and single 4bbl carb.

I do most all of my own wrench turning. I don't have a machine shop, so once the bits are apart, heavy duty stuff goes out. (heads & blocks... etc...)

Hopefully, the 308 will be back by spring and I'll get some real driving time in next year before the urge to tinker catches up.

Gene

Trainman

Welcome to FLife

I know the feeling - took a Healey apart and got her looking perfect and bought every part I could find only to let it all sit in the garage.

Lots of different ways to go fast -

As that was taking forever I bought a 69Z28 and rebuilt it to a decent looking great driver.

Gotta love sliding around in those vinyls seats and gripping the steering wheel all white knuckled up.

Let me see if I can find a garage shot of my mess

[Andrew]

Gene, welcome again to FerrariLife

That Challenger has to be pretty rare.

[tazandjan]

Gene- Welcome. Enjoyed your major surgery thread.

[Trainman]

Doug: The advances in tire technology alone since the 60's and 70's have done a lot to wake up the handling of the cars from that era. Add in some decent suspension upgrades like modern shocks and urethane suspension bushings, and it becomes easy to "out drive" the old vinyl seats!

As for garage shots...here's mine. It's a bit crowded, but it works:

[champagne612]

Originally Posted by Trainman

Doug: The advances in tire technology alone since the 60's and 70's have done a lot to wake up the handling of the cars from that era. Add in some decent suspension upgrades like modern shocks and urethane suspension bushings, and it becomes easy to "out drive" the old vinyl seats!

As for garage shots...here's mine. It's a bit crowded, but it works:

Completely agree!

It is crowded - Ferrari looks well protected and sporting a rare and one of the best IMO color combinations.

Trade you my Healey

[Granucci]

Welcome:
just brought in a new member today with a newer Vet and a very nice clone Shelby.

He's trying to sort out a 360 to enter the Ferrari game.

Good cars are GOOD cars.

BTW: I'm a MOPAR fan

rik

[wetpet]

welcome to f-life. i had a '70 vert awhile back and i just sold this after about 10 years. that's sam posey with my son just after he signed my car:

[wetpet]

Gene, you may also like this one. I'm sitting in one of the two original T/A race cars the above mentioned mr posey drove in 1970. man, that car is unbelievably loud!

[Trainman]

How cool is that!

[Boxer]

Welcome again. What is the ETA for the 308 to be back on the road?

[Barry]

Gene
Welcome to F Life. Look forward to some pics of the 308 back on the road.

[Trainman]

The current plan is to get the 308 back on the road around spring next year.

I can probably have the engine rebuilt and back in the engine bay much sooner than that. However, I keep reminding myself that the car has sat for 10 years. I'm willing to bet that there will be at least one significant issue that needs to be fixed elsewhere.

The top contenders for problems are the fuel injection and the brakes. If those check out, then the car could be on the road sooner.

I put a charge on the battery two weeks ago, and ran though the electrics. Everything that could be operated without the engine functioned properly...even the clock.

[AlanWard]

Where in CO are you? I'm in Boulder

[Trainman]

Ft. Collins

And thanks to everyone for the warm welcome!

[Brian]

Welcome.

I have always been a Mopar fan too. Most of us I suppose were from some other car background before landing in Ferrari Land.

I go every year to Bonneville, these days to help run this thing.

On it's second pass in life we took the E Blown Gas Streamliner record in 2010 and every pass since has been a new record. Except for the last one this year when we ventilated the motor but that is another story.

[ALEX A]

Welcome to the site.If you need anything , call or email me.
Thanks
Alex.

[Andrew]

Brian,

That is awesome. How does that thing go?

[wetpet]

mopar or nocar! another surprising mopar fan is david carte. he just finished his T/A. when i was in his office, no ferrari mags but stacks of mopar mags!

[Denver308]

Originally Posted by Trainman

The current plan is to get the 308 back on the road around spring next year.

I can probably have the engine rebuilt and back in the engine bay much sooner than that. However, I keep reminding myself that the car has sat for 10 years. I'm willing to bet that there will be at least one significant issue that needs to be fixed elsewhere.

The top contenders for problems are the fuel injection and the brakes. If those check out, then the car could be on the road sooner.

I put a charge on the battery two weeks ago, and ran though the electrics. Everything that could be operated without the engine functioned properly...even the clock.

Gene,
Enjoyed the picks and update on your car. I am in the Denver area. I have lots of 308 parts if you are in need (listed in "buying/selling" section). Also, I know a guy in Ft Collins with some 308 parts. Best of luck & hope your car is on the road soon!
Jim