Chasing Cars
ENGINE 3217cc/V8/QOHC POWER 365bhp@6250rpm TORQUE 362lb ft@4500rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 174mph 0-60MPH 5.1sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 13-23mpg TRANSMISSION RWD, six-speed manual MoT March 2021 ODOMETER 26,424 miles WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
This, the 54th of 75 UK Assetto Corsas produced, features a handling pack comprising lowered suspension, stiffer springs and a larger front roll bar. The ride is firm but there are no knocks or clonks. The engine builds revs keenly and pulls strongly with barely any pressure applied to the throttle pedal and gear changes are short and sharp. Brake action is strong and steering feelsome with no dead spots. The only issue is wind noise from one of the offside rubber seals. It starts easily and there are no warning lights displayed.
BODYWORK CHECK
The Grigio Touring Metallic Silver paintwork is excellent. The panels are straight and gaps are uniform – it’s all impressively clean and presentable with no corrosion to speak of. Very close inspection reveals minute stone chips to the grille surround and a small scuff to the corner of the offside rear bumper. This latter has been nicely touched in, though the vendor says that it will be repaired professionally prior to sale. The tyres are a mixture of Continental and Michelins on 18-inch Grigio Titanium alloy wheels that are free from blemishes. The sports exhaust is in similarly good condition.
HOW’S THE INTERIOR?
The cabin is as you would hope, given the low mileage – original and barely lived-in. The well sculptured Rosso-piped Nero Connolly leather seats remain supportive and while there’s a small amount of wear to the driver’s seat bolster, it doesn’t need a repair and the rear seat looks unused. The leather dash top is undamaged and the headlining free from scuffs and scratches. There are a number of small ‘bubbles’ where the leather is lifting slightly from the steering wheel and passenger-side A-post, but all the electrics – including the front seats, powered windows and door mirrors – work as they should.
UNDER THE BONNET
As modern engine bays go, this one is pretty and happily free from plastic covers hiding horrors. It even has its original oil stickers in place. All the fluids appear fresh and are up to the correct levels, with no evidence of any leaks. The rubber hoses haven’t bulged or cracked and the history shows that the cambelt was replaced 2000 miles ago. The only other piece of history currently available is an invoice from HR Owen for £1500, dated 2018, which includes work to repair non-functioning rear lights.
THE CCW VIEW
You can buy one of these coupés for £10k-£15k, but all will have at least twice the mileage and are unlikely to be in as good a condition as this one. And that’s before taking into account that it’s a rare Assetto Corsa. A rare opportunity to own a limited edition of this stupendous Italian GT.