Hey Steve,
Sorry for delayed reply, little better than my previous four year hiatus I guess!
I'm not sure how to upload images but will try and figure it out.
I originally had a QP V in 2012 when I first joined the forum, I part exchanged it for a Gran Turismo at ADG Sevenoaks
where I previously purchased the QP just 8 months later. I originally wanted a Granturismo but tried to be sensible as
my wife and I were expecting our 3rd child. Thankfully common sense prevailed and I decided that we would just drive
her car to do family things! The Granturismo was a great cruiser and great looking but I felt something was missing (perhaps as I only the 4.2) so part exchanged it for a Ferrari 612 at Hofmanns of Henly. The rear seats were terrible but at least they were still there! The 612 was amazing, hated by most for being ugly but easily the most distinguished of all contemporary Ferraris IMO an extremely handsome car and that V12 just pulled. I realised I was going out in the car
myself more often than not and had my eye on a particular F430 at the time. GP motor cars of Hertford gave me a great part ex price for the 612 (though they have since appreciated
) and I was the proud owner of a manual Ferrari f430.
The 430 was by far the best car I've ever driven it was intoxicating in a way the 612 wasn't and it felt great to get back into
a manual car after two autos and an F1 box (which was great) the gearchange was just lovely.
So the story should of ended here I had the car of my dreams.......but being the inquisitive type I wanted to try a Lamborghini and was close to Working out a deal on a murcielago from Top Gear cars in Scotland, in the end i chickened out as I was worried about running costs! I should have followed my heart but perhaps I may scratch that itch in the future.
Still determined to get a Lamborghini I saw a lovely Giallo Midas gallardo being sold by J performance, I contacted them they gave me a good price for my car and the rest is history. The gallardo isn't as pure as the Ferrari and I'm not really a V10 fan (don't like the sound) but it is such a stunning car to look at! So all was good but I didn't drive the gallardo as much as I wanted but didn't want to sell it. for family trips we would take the wife's Nissan Leaf (amazing car btw) or my old Epsom green Range Rover Vogue which is a wonderful/practical vehicle to own but a bloody boring drive IMO.
Earlier this year whilst scouring through the classifieds I saw a QP IV V6 for sale privately, drove down to view it and brought it! I always wanted one and got it for peanuts it had just had its cambelt done at Bill Mcgraths in 2014 and been serviced
regularly but several items needed attention and bodywork was a little tatty so it's sort of a rolling restoration.
It's given the family and I the opportunity to go out together in something I genuinely like and it reminds me of the 612 in that it's really handsome but doesn't attract unwanted attention. One month later I saw a 2004 4200 GT in Nettuno blue and purchased that also! It's been great to have a V8 again, I can't believe where prices are at the moment for these cars
so much car for the money! So there you have it just thought it only fair to update you guys with the four years you have missed of my life! I brought the Gransport bumpers from Matt as I'm going to add the sill extensions, Gransport wheels and grille (all sourced in one frantic week!) to my 4200. I absolutely adore the original design and its purity and have never tinkered with any of my previous cars designs (bar wheels colour changes) before but just had to in this instance! It's hard to argue with Gandini, Donckerwolke, Stephenson, Castriota and of course Giugiaro but the Gransport is one of those rare instances where the additions just work perfectly.
