#50023 on ebay

For primarily educational reasons and as you need to kiss a few frogs before you find the right one, I took a look at:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___1984-Ferrari-400I-V12-Coupe_W0QQitemZ270258823111QQddnZCarsQ20Q26Q20TrucksQQddiZ2282QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item270258823111&_trksid=p3756.m14.l1318

It is only a couple of miles from my office so why not....

Hope David Stacy may have some insight. The story on the car is as the ad states from West Palm. Elderly owner spent up to $30k on it prior to parking it for a mechanical or health reason, did not know which. It sat for a least a year+ prior to the current seller purchasing it. No records to validate anything.

The ebay ad is a bit overzealous as to the condition in my opinion, repeat my opinion and my opinion only. The gentleman who showed me the car was very realistic as to what he had on his hands and was not the one who placed the ad.

The car does not run, the fuel pump did not correct the problem and a "fuel inj" specialist is going to take a stab at it. The dash has been partially removed (after ebay pics were taken) to get to the hood release cable on the passenger side and initiate having the dash recovered locally. The seller plans on recovering the front seats as well.

Lighting was not great where I inspected and I did not have a flashlight to study the suspension so my observations were general. Paint is far from perfect in my opinion again. Looked like a same color respray at some time due to thickness. Only rust I could easily find was by the trim where the drivers rear quarter panel meets the side window, about the size of a dime. The paint had a ton of light scratches from what looked like being under a dirty cover for years. Could be made presentable to driver standards with a stout detail. There is an area on the passenger front fender that was damaged as someone was trying to get into the engine bay with only half the hood released and will require paint work.

It is a series II and the rear suspension was dropped as shown, I could not see very well in the warehouse if it looked as though any recent (in the recent $30k prior to parked) service included anything with the self leveling system. Bushings were old with sway bar bushing missing as a good indicator that nothing was done. The front suspension had some new bushings on the control arms and sway bars. Exhaust was intact with evidence of newer OEM looking mufflers welded in, missing many rubber doughnuts suspending the system. Seats trashed, rear showed no real wear just very dry & brittle. Package tray shrunk etc. Carpets dirty, not very worn. Battery was dissconnected so I could not try the windows and other switches. Underhood was filthy with evidence of some newer hose clamps hear and there to indicate some work had been performed.

I am going to take another look once it is running as I am clearly not very smart. I doubt the ebay auction is going to result in a sale if any bidders inspect the car.

I have been looking at any 400's in the area in driver condition. Few to choose from in the area.

Thought you guys would want to know the fate of # 50023.

Anyone collaberate the sellers knowledge on the history??