[alfa] Re: of 308s, Meraks, and other undervalued and unloved (by the collector-car set) exotics

[George Graves <gmgraves@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On the other hand if one simply must have a real exotic on the cheap, 
might I suggest a Lamborghini Espada? A front-engined, RWD, 365 HP 
(later models) DOHC V-12 is nothing to sneeze at. Makes wonderful 
sounds (Webers), Marcello Gandini's long, low and wide stance is very 
attractive (I think) and the car's interior is a real nice place to be. 
Fully Independent suspension. The fact that the car was built for ten 
years (68-78) with only a couple of minor revisions (dashboard, 
steering wheel, more power, vented discs etc). Downsides: It's really 
low and long (104" wheelbase) is a 2 + 2 (Italian designation meaning 
finally room for TWO REAL adults and the dog), and the car is heavy 
(about 3700 lbs.) and it's not really designed as a sports car, but 
more of an Autostrade cruiser designed to eat up the kilometers at 
150mph +.  The plus side is that some fine examples are available on 
the really cheap. I've seen good ones go for as little as $9000 and 
great ones for under $15,000 - and you will definitely have the only 
one on the block.

George Graves
'86 GTV-6 3.0 'S'



On May 24, 2004, at 12:23 PM, alfa-digest wrote:

>
> Date: Mon, 24 May 2004 08:20:40 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Charles King <chas_a_king@domain.elided>
> Subject: [alfa] Re: alfa-digest V10 #105
>
> Regarding the following message from Brian Shorey,
>
>> My objective was to point out that there are
>> alternatives out there, and for similar money to a
>> 308 a Bora is one of them.  I think what's under the
>> hood, er, rear deck lid will look slightly more
>> familiar to Alfa owners, looks like two I4's in a V
>> back there (chain driven and all!).
>
> Actually, as far as I have been able to tell,
> monitoring the market for the past half-year or so, a
> Bora is a notch or two above a 308 in market
> price---definitely above a 308GT4.  308GT4s are
> regularly offered for sale in the mid $20K for decent
> examples; I have yet to see a Bora for sale for less
> than $40K.  A better Maserati price analogue to a
> 308GT4 would be a Merak.  Certainly the Merak doesn't
> have the performance of a Bora, but they cost a lot
> less.
>
> I believe someone mentioned the Road & Track
> comparison between a 308GT4, a Merak, and a
> Lamborghini Urraco.  The Ferrari did come out on top,
> but the Merak was close and, of interest to some of
> us, it had more interior space.  (A troublemaker would
> also note the beautiful Merak design and suggest that
> the 308GT4 compared unfavorably.)
>
> I will now attempt to bring this wide-ranging
> discussion somewhat back on topic.  I believe it
> originally started comparing the Alfa Romeo Montreal
> to various other similar Italian exotics.  One that I
> have not heard mentioned yet which I think is at least
> partly analogous is the Maserati Khamsin, another
> front engined V8 coupe produced during the 70s.
> Unlike Boras, I have seen Khamsins for sale in the
> same price range as Montreals.  Montreals and Khamsins
> are both sufficiently uncommon that I suppose it's
> less likely that anyone has had first hand experience
> with both...?
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