[Vitalone]

Thanks to Onno who introduced me to his specialist, my little red vetroresina is enjoying the expert care of a specialist who is knowledgeable, attends to the all important details and is open and honest. A specialist such as this swings the ownership experience from trepidation to excitement and enjoyment. Here are pictures sent to me last week showing progress with installing new hoses from the front radiator to the rear oil tank. And everything in between.

The new Birdman fusebox has been installed. Hopefully this week the car will visit a body specialist to have the rear wheel arches widened to Michelotto Group 4 spec to accomodate those 345 wide rear tyres. On gold Stratos rims. We fettle as we go along to bring this sensational driving machine up to fast, safe and reliable blasting around Europe spec.

[Vitalone]

A few more pics of the new hoses installation...

[Andrew]

Did you get the fan belt (what we assumed was the fan belt) squeak fixed that came to notice on FLED2?

These shots are awesome, I really like the overhead photo with the mechanic looking into the engine bay.

[Vitalone]

Originally Posted by Andrew

Did you get the fan belt (what we assumed was the fan belt) squeak fixed that came to notice on FLED2?

These shots are awesome, I really like the overhead photo with the mechanic looking into the engine bay.

That horrible noise was made by the radiator fans, Andrew. New fans have been installed and that horrible noise has gone (although perhaps not yet vanished from the memories of some residents of Berne!)

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Thanx for sharing those wonderful pics of your beauty, Vitalone. Honest and competent professionals are must assets. We would all love to see more pics. w/ smiles Jimmy

[Boxer]

Beautiful work.

[Vitalone]

Thank you for your kind comments gentlemen. It makes such a great difference to develope a good relationship with someone who really knows their Ferrari's and is professional and friendly. Am looking very forward to some Summer cruising in the 308 and FLED3!

[Granucci]

What/where did you get the hoses? Dave Helms stuff?

[ferraripilot]

Fabulous car. Glad you keep it in good fettle.

[Vitalone]

Originally Posted by Granucci

What/where did you get the hoses? Dave Helms stuff?

The Specialist sourced them and tells me that they are original hoses-NOS?

[Vitalone]

Originally Posted by ferraripilot

Fabulous car. Glad you keep it in good fettle.

Thanks ferraripilot, this Ferrari has exceeded my expectations as a driving machine (thanks FLED2!) and so I want to enjoy more driving with a reliable, well-fettled GTB. I am amazed to see how many Ferrari's of all ages look terrific on the outside but have been neglected/butchered mechanically. They are tough and can handle poor mechanical workmanship for short, occasional drives but it is on the long fast drives that the weakest links come to light one after the other.

[ferraripilot]

You are absolutely right.

I negotiated this issue by pulling my engine and rebuilding it to a higher specification using modern components and increasing compression. These early Euro and early USA spec (same cam) cams are brilliant candidates for compression increases, but the cam timing MUST be altered to take full advantage of the compression change. I also converted my US GTB to Euro GTB specs (bumpers and other equip changed/removed).

Really fabulous cars when they are right, and the upgrade absolutely transforms the car.

[Vitalone]

Now that the hoses are done and interior revitalised, the bodywork is being modelled on a Michelotto Group 4 Alitalia car to accomodate those 345 wide Stratos Group 4 rear rims. Note picture of the Alitalia car pasted on the window of my car. The attention to detail of this specialist makes a big difference to the joy of ownership.

[Vitalone]

Here are the pictures I received last week...

[a1exander]

Lekker!

Looks like your specialist is a gem to work as neatly as he does.

Fender arches also look good.....what tyre size in profile have you fitted?

[Vitalone]

Originally Posted by a1exander

Lekker!

Looks like your specialist is a gem to work as neatly as he does.

Fender arches also look good.....what tyre size in profile have you fitted?

Thanks a1exander, not sure what the profile of the Michelin racing rubber is. The tyres are period balloon-spec meaning that the car rides even smoother than before.

[212Export]

Wow, great pics, wonderful car. I wakes memories from fled 2 as you gracefully gave me the keys of this "light beast" to let me throw it around the hairpins on Swiss passes....how fantastic that was. The car had a fabulous holding...but now with the even broader wheels....oh my god !

[Vitalone]

Originally Posted by 212Export

Wow, great pics, wonderful car. I wakes memories from fled 2 as you gracefully gave me the keys of this "light beast" to let me throw it around the hairpins on Swiss passes....how fantastic that was. The car had a fabulous holding...but now with the even broader wheels....oh my god !

You are too kind 212Export as you graciously gave me the keys to your awesome Scuderia in return. One of those drives that I will never forget. Roll on FLED 3 when we meet again!

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by Vitalone

You are too kind 212Export as you graciously gave me the keys to your awesome Scuderia in return. One of those drives that I will never forget. Roll on FLED 3 when we meet again!

I drove a 458 this weekend. I think though if I had to choose, I would rather have the Scuderia.

[JazzyO]

Hey Vitalone,

unfortunately my 550 broke down on the way to Goodwood yesterday. I could however make it back to Alex, who is trying to fix her this morning. But to get to the point, he drove me and my brother home and was talking about your car. You're going to very pleasantly surprised!


Onno