Description
This is a Formosa 120 GR, in the style of a 1950s Ferrari Mondial. As you can see, she looks amazing, and she is!
Officially Registered Historic and therefore comes with benefits. ULEZ Compliant, Tax (fees) and MOT Exempt. However, for buyer's peace of mind, the car will come with a full years MOT, currently being arranged. Very low insurance cost and owing to her simple nature (raw analogue automobile), easily tune-able and a pleasure to maintain.
She is powered by a superb low mileage (sub 4k) 1976 Ford Cortina MKIII 1. 6L ('Pinto') Engine coupled with a Mazda RX8 6 speed gear box. She has lovely torque and is effortless pulling through the gears. Despite not being 'blisteringly' quick, she is quick enough and bares her teeth when pushed. She'll happily break the speed limit, but of course I've NEVER done that ;)
She has Weber Carbs, stainless steel exhaust system (not the manifold) and makes all the right noises!
Popping to the local shops is trouble free. Bursting through a tunnel in 3rd and 4th is a 'riot'!!
Dropping down gears is effective and fun. Cruising down the motorway in 4th, 5th or 6th is blissful and effortless. Despite the car being an easy drive (because everything works as it should), unlike modern cars and modern sports cars, you will 100% feel like you've had a 'proper' driving experience. Somewhere (personally) between slightly exhausted (depending on your drive) and totally satisfied. In short, this car might give you a driving experience you either nether had before, or forgot existed. She's a living breathing thing of beauty!!
There are Plenty of details to make this particular model stand out from the crowd. IMO (and others), she's the best example of a rare car. There's some small cosmetics that you may wish to deal with, but personally, I believe this adds to her character. I don't want the car to look brand new! She looks 'right', and that's what matters.
Power to weight ratio is Excellent. I believe her 'curb weight' is approx 800kg, which when you think about it, is probably less than a Nissan Micra? She has full burgundy interior which is the perfect compliment to her silver body. I opted for the 30s style bucket seats (rather than the Cobra style) because they are less fussy, very comfortable and a great colour. I do have the black cobra style ones which I'm happy to include in the sale... if you want them. Nice to have a choice, especially if you decide to change the interior at some point? I also have chrome airplane style saftely buckles. Again, I didn't want anything that looked too clumsy as I wanted to keep the car looking as 'simple' and 'tasteful' as possible, in my opinion anyway. I removed the buckles when the interior and noise dampening was installed. I didn't replace because I didn't need to, and I enjoy driving without (like the drivers of the period). They're easy to reinstall, if you decide to live a little less 'on the wild side'.
The steering is incredibly direct with a fabulous polished wooden Moto Lita steering wheel, which is uncompromising in feel and purity, something you will ONLY get from a classic car! The wheel centre is brushed stainless steel and a 'genuine' Ferrari 250 part with an adapted Ferrari Cavallino Rampante horn push (just for display) in period style. She has a matching brush steel lockable pop up petrol cap on the cone. She takes unleaded petrol of course and I always use Shell Optima as a rule or equivalent high quality petroleum.
To protect the car's interior, she comes with a lovely black canvas bespoke tonneau cover (which is actually remarkably water resistant). The cover zips up through the centre, and both/ or one side can be removed during driving, whatever your preference.
Car speakers are installed but get little use. What's the point??
She has assorted Smiths etc chrome and black dials, stainless steel cockpit switches. Everything looks 'right'.
BUYERS PLEASE NOTE: THE CAR IS LISTED ELSEWHERE AND I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO WITHDRAW THIS VEHICLE FROM THIS SITE WITHOUT NOTICE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST. No expense has been spared when replacing and upgrading major parts. Including drive train, gear box, rear leaf suspension and shocks, rear differential, rear drums (she has front discs), the engine was completely dropped out during the gearbox upgrade and overhaul and sprayed red. Gaskets were replaced and sealed. The original clumsy looking air filter was changed to a chrome K&N. The alternator, belts and distributor have all been changed.
Oil filters, complete oil changes (using the correct classic car motor oil) are changed more often than required, it is something I enjoy doing and it serves to protect the engine and its performance.
The 1967 Triumph Herald Chassis is strong and upon recent inspection is rust free, perhaps the odd inevitable spot, but of no concern and would not compromise the integrity of the vehicle.
I recently removed the classic lightweight magnesium spoked wire wheels on all corners to give them a little refurbish job. This is done to a nice standard and the tyres were also treated to a coat of quality tyre paint. During the process, I discovered the wheels to be period and made by Dunlop, not some imitation brand. I decided to give the front brake calipers a pop of yellow, it's not over the top and personally I think it works really well. The Ferrari dust caps again, just add that little bit of attention to detail. Brakes were tested, pumped and fluids were changed. She stops as expected.
