PCH, Rootes Group Challenges The Prancing Horse: Sunbeam Venezia or Ferrari 308 GT4?

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

Welcome to Project Car Hell, where you choose your eternity by selecting the project that's the coolest... and the most hellish! You want an exotic European Hell Project, do you? Well, who doesn't?

In these troubled times, you shouldn't be spending all your MRE and ammo money on your Hell Project (although we recommend that strategy, since life isn't worth living when you're cutting corners on the important things). Maybe you thought there was no way you could afford a real Ferrari- not when even Fierraris sell for 30 grand- but don't forget the 308 GT4. Pay no mind to those tedious purists who bleat that this fine Bertone-bodied machine was badged as a Dino; by 1976, the Ferrari emblem was proudly displayed on the 308 GT4… and we've found this '76 (go here if the ad disappears) for just $12,000. In the seller's own words: "It's a Ferrari for the price of a Hyundai people! Just show up, take advantage of me, and drive away with a big smile as you enjoy your new Ferrari." For that price, you have to count on fixing several hundred a few things; first off, there's the trashed paint. Then you'll have the pleasure of playing with the fuel-delivery system ("runs well enough but it runs terribly rich"), but all the Weber guys will tell you that's no sweat. Of course, there might be some ignition woes adding to the fun, but getting a Ferrari running right shouldn't be any harder than tuning a '73 Valiant, right? Right! Thanks to Zeet for the tip.

We love Ferraris, but a mid-70s Dino condemns you to a life of golden razor blade medallions tangled in your Burt Reynolds-esque chest hair- perhaps not in reality, but that's how the world will see you (even if you're a woman). There's nothing wrong with that, of course, but the real edgy rebellious Project Car Hell inmates prefer the products of the Rootes Group. With a heritage including such fine machines as the Dresden-obliteratin' Handley Page Halifax and Plymouth Cricket, the Rootes Group manufactured more than its share of terrifying rewarding Potential Hell Projects. And hey, didja know that Rootes had Italian coachbuilder Touring design and build a superleggara version of the Humber Sceptre? No, really! And it's your lucky day, because here's a 1965 Sunbeam Venezia for sale; the $14,500 starting bid didn't get any bites, so we're pretty sure the seller will listen to your Benjamins when you come calling with a totally reasonable offer. You get a Humber 88-horse engine, a 4-speed, and a $10K "mechanical restoration" when you purchase this fine project car, and that means your eternity begins with all you need to do is cosmetic stuff. Bodywork, paint, interior… how hard could it be? The seller claims there is "generous club support for these cars," and that the missing mouldings and emblems will be totally obtainable. Thanks to Flyboy333 for the tip!


Project Car Hell's Greatest Hits