Fantasy Junction

Description

This car has not yet arrived at Fantasy Junction but can be viewed by appointment. Additional photos and text to follow.

1965 ASA 1000GT
s/n 1198 engine no. 173/187
Metallic Blue with Red Interior

The ASA (Autocostruzioni Società per Azioni) story is a fascinating tangent from the familiar Ferrari and Italian car scene of the late 1950`s and 1960`s. Originally conceived by Enzo Ferrari to showcase the traditional Ferrari design dogmas of styling, craftsmanship, and driving experience to a broader market, the car featured a number of technical features in common with contemporary Ferraris. Production was handled by an outside firm whose main activities were in electromechanical industrial production, but whose proprietors were already clients of Ferrari and who found the idea attractive. The engine was quite literally one third of a Ferrari 250 engine, with the same bore, stroke, and pistons, hence the approximate displacement of 1000cc`s. Fueling was provided by a pair of large Weber carburetors, and the suspension and chassis are reported to have been directly derived from the Ferrari 250, specifically the GTO. Even the valve cover retained the contours and crackle finish of the 250 engine. The braking system was the all around disc system carried over directly from the 250GTE, making the 1000GT a very capable stopper indeed! The styling and interior architecture also owe much to Ferrari, and the quality of construction was very high. Even the fuel tank is a beautifully crafted Ferrari-type riveted aluminum item. The cars were imported United States by Luigi Chinetti, but the $6000 price ($1500 more than a contemporary 427 cid Corvette!) meant that sales were very slow. Fewer than 75 examples were produced with just fewer than half coming to the United States.

This particular car was comprehensively restored in the early 1980`s to very high standards by a well-known collector. The work was completed regardless of cost, and the mileage is believed to be the mileage covered from new. The car was featured in the third quarter of 1983 issue of Automobile Quarterly, when it was reported to have 11,160 miles (18,000km), and the car is now showing 13,899 miles. It drives and feels accordingly fresh and tight, and remains in excellent cosmetic condition.

Since Fantasy Junction sold the car to the current owner in 2007, he was able to acquire a nearly unbelievable bit of back-up history, including all the back-up copies from the Ferrari Market letter, which includes the original purchase order for the car to Ferrari, copies of the freight bills to Chinetti, the shipping manifests to the U.S, the invoices from Ferrari, a copy of the check paying Ferrari, a copy of the deposit check (front and back) and the final payment (front and back). There is also a copy of an old automobile quarterly with about an 8 page article on this car.

The paint is a high quality job and has survived beautifully. There are a few small blemishes (chips on the door edges etc.), and the panel fit and gaps are excellent across the board. The chrome is very good with just light pitting in selected areas. The glass and lights are excellent throughout, including the Carello headlamps.

The interior also has the feel of a well-preserved older Ferrari restoration with well-done vinyl upholstery, and a nice black crinkle finish dashboard that is very evocative of contemporary Ferraris. The steering wheel is a wood-rimmed Ferrari item, and the carpets fit well and shows very light wear only, primarily in the bottom of the driver’s footwell. The carpets have been protected by over mats, so they remain minimally worn. There is a full complement of Jaeger gauges and the whole ambience of the interior will feel familiar to anyone with who has spent time in a contemporaneous Ferrari. Even the steering column-mounted stalks and ashtray are the same.

The trunk is well finished and quite reasonably sized, and the engine is very clean and detailed to good standards. There are many correct small details such as the ASA radiator cap.

This is an extremely rare opportunity to acquire a very unique car. It makes a very interesting topic of conversation on the `might have been` subject, and is very much a baby Ferrari, with so many interesting and advanced features. Certainly compared to the Fiat Dino, which is loosely considered to be the spiritual successor to this car, the ASA 1000GT is much more unique (and better made) interpretation of a more compact and `entry-level` Ferrari. This car comes with a number of magazine articles on the car, including an issue of the Automobile Quarterly in which this particular car was featured, a poster board made for shows, and an original parts book. The jack is also included.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608