[Schumacher]

I had an accident in my 1981 308 GTSi and owing to the price of parts it looked like the car would be written off. I can happily say that we have saved the car and it should be back on the road within six weeks!

Just had to share that.

 

[jungathart]

Welcome,
Sorry about your mishap, but glad the car will be restored and returned to the roads! The 308 is a beautiful shape: what color is yours?

 

[Schumacher]

It originally was a dark metallic blue but was resprayed by its previous owner to Rosso. The job was done properly, taking the entire car down to bare metal. The car has a cream interior and 56,000 km on the odometer. The accident was merely a "bumper bashing" but with parts prices being so expensive, the economic write-off level was always in play. Luckily we have located parts to fix her and the car will be back on the road.

I live in South Africa and recently there has been legislation passed that prohibits the further importation of LHD cars. The market is pretty much closed and the prices here are therefore much higher than in overseas markets. This therefore prohibits the exportation of cars as well. Should my car have been written off, it would have been a sad loss to the overall local community (despite my 308 being the lowliest of all being a GTSi and therefore hardly exotic).

That said, I am really excited about being reunited with my little baby!

 

[jungathart]

...(despite my 308 being the lowliest of all being a GTSi and therefore hardly exotic)...

Hi Schumacher,

There is no such thing as a "lowly" Ferrari. I would be proud to own a 308 (especially in original dark metallic blue!) ! 8)

 

[Schumacher]

Thanks for the sentiment, I agree about the colour. The original blue with cream must have been pretty dramatic. That said, for one's first Ferrari red is always the most attractive. My next will hopefully be a 355 in another colour. The silver Mondial in the picture, is it yours? I think Mondials look better in colours other than red.

 

[jungathart]

Hi Schumaker,
Yes she has been mine for over a year! I think all Ferraris look good in red but I am actually very partial to dark metallic colors. I think the 355 would make an excellent second car for you.

 

[Schumacher]

Is yours a Mondial 8 or a QV? I see that you have aftermarket wheels on the car. I still have the 390mm wheels and tyres which are really not that good. Do you have any pics of your car?

 

[jungathart]

She's an 83 QV with 17in Speedlines and Yokohamas. I will post pics later today. 8)

 

[Dj Dirk]

Welcome Schumacher

glad to hear that you car is still on the road.
i don't know much about the south african market, so how big is the exotic car market over there?
and more importantly, where are you located? because if you say cape town, then there are lot's of exotics there

 

[Boxer]

Very glad to hear that your 308i is back in one piece. I always hate to see a Ferrari be destroyed, especially in situations where the car is essentially sound.

I concur on with comments on the Mondial colors. I think most of the 2+2's look better in darker colors or silver.

 

[Stradale]

I had an accident in my 1981 308 GTSi and owing to the price of parts it looked like the car would be written off. I can happily say that we have saved the car and it should be back on the road within six weeks!

Just had to share that.

I'm so glad for you.

 

[Schumacher]

Sorry guys, the time zones play havoc with forums like this. I live in Johannesburg. Cape Town is actually pretty relaxed when it comes to exotics with the major concentration of cars being up here (in Johannesburg - I say up here because the altitude is 6,000 ft).

Johannesburg is the perfect classic car environment owing to very low humidity and air density. Therefore rust is virtually non-existent.

The local Ferrari club SEFAC (Southern Equitorial Ferrari Automobili Club) is pretty active and it actually the annual concours coming up on Sunday. I will take pics. Next month it is the club track day at Kyalami. A friend of mine has just redone his F40 - bigger turbos and all - I hope to get some laps in that! I went in it about 5 years ago - around Kyalami and it was awesome. I actually got some laps in a F50 a year later - also brilliant. The guy who has the F50 has an Enzo - who knows, if the car has been cleared by customs (as it is LHD and therefore not allowed to be imported) a ride may be possible - I can dream can't I?

A good website to look at for a car enthusiast is the local Porsche club's - www.porscheclub.co.za. I was a member for 6 years and was very involved in the autocrossing.

I hope this offers at least a small bit of insight into the South African market.

 

[Stradale]

You guys sure are active up there! Well done!

 

[Dj Dirk]

ah? Johannesburg has a bigger exotic car market then Cape Town?
and you sure seem to have a pretty active club, wich is ofcourse always good & a lot of fun?
Do you normally track your 308?
also are there lot's of classic Ferrari's present or more modern? (after 1970 models)

 

[Schumacher]

Hi Dirk. Yes the concentration of cars is definitely in Johannesburg. It is a pity really as Cape Town is similar in some ways to the Cote d'Azure. The perfect place for convertibles and some of the most unbelievable driving roads. I went to University there and still miss the place.

Interestingly enough, the main South African Ferrari agent is based in Cape Town. Their wbsite is www.ferrari.co.za

Johannesburg is the hub of all business in the country so it follows that the concentration of expensive cars is up here as well. In terms of Ferrari, there are some pretty exciting cars (F40, F50 and one 288 GTO) but in the main, there are no really special cars (not saying that the abovementiioned aren't special) - i.e. collectibles.

The Ferrari club has a track day at Kyalami once a year and it is a pretty awesome event - usually 10-15,000 spectators attend and it is run very well. I love going on the track but since my accident I am a little hesitant as I will not be insured. Also, when on the track I find it difficult to drive with restraint and almost inevitably find myself pushing as hard as I can after a few laps. I raced in the Porsche challenge and the Porsche club time trial series for the past few years. In those events the aim was to go as fast as you can - I guess that as soon as I am out on the circuit those feelings flood back - it's hard to show restraint.

I see you are from Belgium, have you driven around Spa?

 

[Dj Dirk]

the only time when i've driven Spa myself was when it was still public road, i have been along in the passenger seat though
and well, it just stays my all time fav track, the surrounding is beautifull, the track has some great turns, height differences
and well, Le Raidillon is just amazing, and that is a turn that you have to see in real life, because on the tv it doesn't reflect that well

 

[Schumacher]

I have a game called Grand Prix 3 (Grand Prix 4 has been out for some time but I haven't upgraded). Do you know it? On the game I have driven most tracks (some guys have even recreated Kyalami as an add-on with unbelievable precision and realism).

On the game I have driven a lot of laps of Spa and it is definitely my favourite track. Driving through Eau Rouge is unbelievable - definitely the only "real" track left on the GP circuit.

 

[Dj Dirk]

yes, i know those games, i used to play those a lot
if you ever get the change to come here, do it, you won't regret it
and while you are here, also go visit the museum