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Mike and Elvis are going global. This time, the stakes are higher, the deadlines tighter and the motor transformations are more jaw-dropping than ever.
Mike and Elvis are going global. This time, the stakes are higher, the deadlines tighter and the motor transformations are more jaw-dropping than ever.
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MotorTranscript
00:00If you park on this chessboard bit,
00:10yeah, lovely, and then we can get out and suck in the view.
00:18Will you look at that?
00:23For any petrolhead, this is like heaven,
00:26because that down there, that is Motor Valley.
00:29It's pretty spectacular, isn't it?
00:30Over to the right is Lamborghini.
00:32Move a little left, you've got Pagani, then you've got Maserati,
00:36and just over there is a little town called Maranello,
00:39and they are quite famous for building cars
00:42with a prancing horse on the front.
00:44Yeah, I've heard of them.
00:45I mean, they used to be the enemy, of course, for me.
00:47However, I mean, there is nothing like a red Ferrari
00:50to stir the soul of any petrolhead.
00:52They are like six-figure cars, and we definitely haven't got that budget.
00:55Now, we're not going to be spending anywhere near six figures,
00:58but I have got something in mind.
01:00If you jump in the car, I'll explain on the way.
01:02After wheeling and dealing our way across the UK,
01:18fixing up hundreds of cars, it's time for a new challenge.
01:21Look at you.
01:22You had a mullet.
01:23At least they had coloured cameras when I did mine.
01:25Yours are still black and white.
01:26So we're setting off on a global adventure.
01:32To buy some of the world's most iconic cars.
01:35Listen to the sound!
01:38And with the help of local wheeler dealers...
01:40A funny, a contorote.
01:41Yes, I am saying.
01:43...rescue these national treasures.
01:45I'll tell you what, brother, she's pretty tidy under here.
01:47And make a few euros or dollars...
01:50You got yourself a deal.
01:51Well done.
01:52And Lottie in the process.
01:54Oh, you've got a convertible!
01:56Look at that!
01:57This has been a boyhood dream.
02:00Oh!
02:10Mate, look at this.
02:11It is stunning, isn't it?
02:15It's Italian, bro.
02:16This is absolutely brilliant.
02:18And this little car...
02:20Ain't bad, is it?
02:21It's a right little electric Fiat 500.
02:24How much Italian do you actually know?
02:26Not as much as I wish I knew.
02:28I mean, I've been learning it for a little while.
02:29But, you know, early stages.
02:32Ferrari.
02:33Lamborghini.
02:34There you go.
02:42A days, eh?
02:44Naturals, mate.
02:45The pair of us.
02:45Come on, then.
02:50Put it out of me misery.
02:51What are we going to see?
02:51We're actually going to go and look at a Ferrari
02:53that I feel is one of the last great Ferraris.
02:57Ferrari 348.
02:59Great.
02:59Great car.
03:00And this is the last of the non-digital experiences.
03:03It's the one which is a pure driving experience.
03:06Absolutely love them.
03:07It was a proper analogue experience.
03:09Launched in 1989 to replace the hugely successful 328,
03:17the Ferrari 348 had a tough act to follow.
03:21But this is Italy.
03:23So in grand operatic style,
03:25Ferrari delivered a car fully focused on pure analogue performance,
03:29all centred around a brand new 3.4-litre V8 engine.
03:33As the last Ferrari produced before computerised driving aids,
03:39the 348 holds a special place in Prantin Hall's history.
03:43Only 9,000 were built, so there aren't many out there.
03:46But I'm spotting one for Sal that looks simply bellissima.
03:50Wonderful engine in a 348.
03:55I mean, absolute work of art, those things.
03:57But like any Ferrari,
03:59you've got to make sure it's been well looked after
04:01because if it hasn't and if anything goes wrong,
04:04it's double expensive, isn't it?
04:06This guy Giacomo, he wants, like, you know, 70,000 euros.
04:10But if we want to bid him 65,000 euros,
04:15how do we say that?
04:15I'm quite early in my learning...
04:20Come on, man. Come on.
04:22In reality, it's really easy
04:23because all you do is you say it in English,
04:25but you do this and you wave your arms around...
04:2865,000!
04:29Exactly. There you go. You got it.
04:31And they got it. Nailed it.
04:32We're meeting owner Giacomo on the outskirts of Bologna
04:35at a showroom full of two and four-wheeled exotica.
04:40Wow.
04:40This is a place to come and see this car, isn't it?
04:43My goodness. Ferraris are supposed to be red.
04:45Come on. I know they're meant to be red,
04:46but this is a black one, which means it's a rare Ferrari.
04:49Mike. Hello. Hello.
04:50Giacomo. Hello.
04:51Nice to meet you.
04:53So, Giacomo, this is your Ferrari.
04:55Yes, yes.
04:55I had this car from 10 years
04:57and I bought to make a gift for myself when I was 40.
05:04I got new socks when I was 40.
05:06Very nice.
05:07But you got yourself a Ferrari.
05:10Giacomo's car is an early 348,
05:12it's built during the first year of production
05:14and it looks in good nick.
05:17But it's still not red.
05:19So, I mean, the Ferrari is all about the engine.
05:22Is there any chance we could look at the engine?
05:26There it is.
05:27It's been looked after.
05:28It's been regularly serviced.
05:29Very regular.
05:30That's good.
05:31OK, that's really good.
05:32Excellent.
05:32It's very important.
05:32It's a great set-up, isn't it?
05:34Engine ahead of the rear axle,
05:35transverse gearbox as well.
05:37It's a nicely balanced car, this, generally.
05:38This car was red.
05:41Sorry?
05:42I changed the colour of this car.
05:44I changed it in black colour
05:46because it's more elegant.
05:49Is this official colour?
05:51Yes, I choose between two colours of Ferrari brand.
05:57I prefer this type.
05:59Giacomo, I cannot believe
06:00you've repainted a red Ferrari black.
06:03You're a brave man,
06:04but it looks amazing in black.
06:06It is, and it's a beautiful paint job.
06:09Right, there's one other thing
06:10that I did notice as well,
06:11which was the interior.
06:13That's not original.
06:15The original was black,
06:16but I chose this ice white
06:19that is very particular,
06:22and I love it.
06:23And the steering wheel,
06:24you've changed this too
06:25to match the interior?
06:26Yes, we do.
06:27OK.
06:28Together.
06:29Is it OK to get the paperwork?
06:31You can look.
06:31Yep.
06:32OK, here we go.
06:33This is the important book.
06:34This is a service history book.
06:35Tells us who owned the car originally,
06:371990, correct?
06:39And this was the original owner.
06:40It's an important name.
06:42I know that name.
06:43Mickey Biasone,
06:44World Rally Champion.
06:45No way.
06:46Not the same guy, really?
06:47Yes.
06:47Right, OK, so...
06:49It's interesting.
06:50OK.
06:50A World Rally Champion
06:51has owned this car.
06:53Yes, yes.
06:54That is incredible.
06:55OK, well, that's a...
06:56That's a very nice surprise.
06:58Very nice surprise.
06:59This sort of providence adds value
07:01and, with its unusual colour scheme,
07:04should help the 348 stand out from the crowd.
07:07Oh, a black Ferrari will definitely stand out,
07:09but it'll all be for nothing
07:10if the mechanical condition and service history
07:13aren't up to scratch.
07:14Oh, OK.
07:15CV boot on the outside end down here is split.
07:19So that's going to need attention.
07:21Oh.
07:22In fact,
07:24yeah, the CV boot on this side
07:25is leaking grease as well.
07:27So both of those drive shafts
07:28have got grease coming out of the outboard CVs
07:32and they're going to need replacing.
07:34The chassis, at least, does look straight.
07:37Which is more than can be said for the front bumper.
07:39I spotted this on the way in.
07:41The front splitter is cracked there
07:43and, in fact, there.
07:44That's either going to be a major repair
07:46or find a new one and replace it.
07:49How are you getting on, Elvis?
07:51Not bad.
07:51I mean, it's got a few issues, I have to say.
07:53I mean, it's not only small things, most of them,
07:55but it's a Ferrari.
07:56It's supposed to be, you know, top-notch, isn't it?
07:58How are you getting on?
07:59Well, look, in the early years,
08:01it's been regularly serviced and looked after,
08:03all done by Ferrari, which is nice.
08:05Great.
08:06Cars show in 76,000 kilometres
08:08and there's a massive big hole
08:11in the service history right there
08:12that's 70,000 kilometres.
08:14With any Ferrari,
08:16a complete service history is essential.
08:18So if this crucial service has been missed,
08:21we'll have to say Arrivederci.
08:23One worry we have got,
08:25this car have had a big service.
08:27You are right,
08:28but I forgive to show you
08:30the last service
08:33that I made in Ferrari of Modena.
08:35And this is the paper.
08:38So the service was done?
08:39The service was done.
08:412019.
08:42So the cam belts on these
08:44are every three years
08:46or every 24,000 miles,
08:47so it needs doing again.
08:48OK.
08:49Well, not OK.
08:50That means pulling the engine out.
08:52Imagine what Ferrari
08:53would charge you to do that.
08:54Yeah, they had three and a half grand
08:56to change the cam belt.
08:56There you go.
08:58Taking out that V8 engine
09:00is a mammoth job
09:02and anything could go wrong.
09:04But where there's risk,
09:05there's reward.
09:06I need to get Elvis
09:07to see past the problems
09:08and fall in love with this car.
09:10And there's only one way
09:11to do that.
09:12That Ferrari V8
09:26is awesome, isn't it?
09:28Go on, son.
09:29Get the slipper down.
09:30Go on, look at that.
09:30Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah!
09:41What's it feel like?
09:42Is it good?
09:43It feels great,
09:44I've got to be honest.
09:44Everything feels tight,
09:46just like a Ferrari should.
09:48I still can't get over
09:49the fact that this car was red.
09:52It has made the colour
09:53a rarer colour,
09:54being black.
09:55It looks sharp,
09:56but, yeah,
09:56the interior is a bit wild.
09:59I hate that white steering box.
10:00That would have to go.
10:04You were saying things like
10:05CV gate is a split.
10:07Yeah, CV boots on both sides.
10:08The front splitter
10:10is so badly damaged
10:11I'm not even sure
10:13you could repair it.
10:14That might just need replacing.
10:15That ain't going to be cheap.
10:16Cam belt will have to be changed.
10:18Yeah.
10:18That's a ticking time bomb
10:19right behind us.
10:20And let's do it ourselves
10:21and save a bucket of money.
10:24Well, look,
10:25I'm still very nervous,
10:27I've got to be honest,
10:28because once we start thinking
10:29about pulling an engine out
10:30to do a cam belt,
10:32taking the rear end apart
10:33to service it,
10:34who knows what else we'll find?
10:35What's the point
10:36of coming all the way
10:37to Italy
10:37to buy a Ferrari
10:39if, Ming,
10:39you don't
10:40just bite the bullet
10:42and just go for it?
10:43What is the worst
10:44that could happen?
10:45Worst case scenario?
10:47Well, I pull the engine out,
10:48something goes wrong,
10:49and we end up
10:50with a five-figure bill.
10:52But if I can drive
10:53the asking price down,
10:55surely it's a gamble
10:56worth taking.
11:02Giacomo,
11:02you've advertised this car
11:03for €68,500.
11:06Yes.
11:07I think that we would
11:08give for this car
11:09€65,000.
11:14That's it.
11:16That's
11:16£56,000.
11:19Just to let you know.
11:20That's a lot of money.
11:22I think €65,000
11:24is a good amount,
11:26so...
11:26Yes.
11:27Oh, Giacomo,
11:28thank you so much.
11:30Brilliant.
11:31Absolutely brilliant.
11:31Every good time
11:32in my black Ferrari.
11:33I certainly will.
11:34Yeah, this is going to be fun.
11:36You're going to get
11:36a Ferrari cap,
11:37you're going to get
11:38Ferrari trousers,
11:39I'm going to get you
11:39Ferrari everything.
11:41Oh, you're going to love it.
11:42What have we done?
11:46I mean,
11:47I love Mike's positivity,
11:48but he's not the one
11:49taking the engine out.
11:50This is a specialist job
11:52that needs specialist equipment.
11:54Which is exactly
11:55why I've lined up
11:56the perfect workshop
11:58right here in Marinello,
12:00where everything
12:01revolves around
12:01the prancing halls,
12:03even the roundabouts.
12:07This is the place.
12:09They specialise
12:10in nothing but Ferrari here.
12:11You're going to love it.
12:12After you, sir.
12:15Wow.
12:16How good is this?
12:18What a space.
12:19It's like a Formula One
12:20style workshop, isn't it?
12:21It's amazing, isn't it?
12:22Buongiorno.
12:23Buongiorno, Michele.
12:24How are you?
12:24This is Elvis.
12:25Ciao, Elvis.
12:26So we spoke on the phone.
12:28If it was possible
12:29that we could get
12:29a little bit of your space,
12:31if that's...
12:31Is it still possible?
12:32Of course it is.
12:34This is the space
12:35just for you.
12:37It's perfect.
12:37But no more than three days.
12:39Right, OK.
12:40Can you manage it?
12:41It's tight.
12:42That is going to be tight.
12:44We will take the space.
12:45Most definitely.
12:46Fantastic.
12:47Right, I'm going to get
12:47the car in if that's OK.
12:48Yeah, of course.
12:49Please.
12:50You get the car in.
12:50Where's the coffee machine?
12:52Here.
12:52Perfect.
12:56With another car due here
12:57in three days,
12:58we're going to have
12:59to work Ferrari fast.
13:01Nice.
13:02As if the pressure
13:03of getting that engine out
13:04and cam belt change
13:05wasn't enough.
13:07And we've got the damage
13:08from bumper to fix as well.
13:11OK, here we go.
13:13Up we go.
13:15Lovely.
13:16Nice one, fella.
13:17Right, OK.
13:18Look at that.
13:19Woo!
13:20It's nasty, isn't it?
13:21That might be a tough repair,
13:23you know.
13:23Yeah, you'll just have
13:24to see what you can do.
13:25But, I mean,
13:26while you take that away,
13:27I'll have a look at
13:28thinking about trying
13:29to get this enormous engine out.
13:30OK.
13:31Right, let's get on.
13:32Come on with it.
13:33Good luck.
13:37This hand-built V8
13:39is a beautifully engineered
13:40precision instrument,
13:42but a replacement
13:42would be a hefty
13:43five-figure sum,
13:44so we need to give this one
13:46the TLC it deserves.
13:49I mean, it is a work of art,
13:51this power unit.
13:52It's a V8.
13:53Eight cylinders,
13:54four valves per cylinder,
13:55so 32 of those.
13:56And the timing belt
13:57is in the most inaccessible
13:58place in the car,
13:59right down there
14:00at the front,
14:01which means,
14:02to get to it,
14:03I've got to take
14:03the entire engine
14:04out of the car.
14:06And if I break anything,
14:08well, it's probably
14:09going to cost me
14:09a fortune to replace it.
14:10Benvenuto in Italia,
14:22where me and Elvis
14:23are living the Ferrari dream.
14:24Thank you so much.
14:31It's a pleasure,
14:32it's a pleasure.
14:32Oui, it's a pleasure.
14:35That's very kind.
14:36Afari de Quattorote.
14:38I'm not saying it right.
14:39I'm not saying it right,
14:41am I?
14:42Afari de Quattorote.
14:43Yes.
14:43Yes.
14:44I am saying it right.
14:45We've taken a 65,000 euro punt
14:49on a black,
14:49yes, Elvis,
14:50a black Ferrari 348.
14:53It might be the wrong colour,
14:55but the bigger problem for me
14:56is changing the cam belt,
14:58a high-risk job
14:59that means taking
15:00the whole engine out.
15:04Putting that glorious V8 motor
15:07right in the middle of the car
15:08was crucial to the 348's design,
15:11providing even weight distribution.
15:16The uniform balance
15:18helps create that epic
15:19driving experience,
15:21but it's a major headache
15:22if, like me,
15:23you need access to the engine
15:24on a tight time frame.
15:27I'm trying to get
15:27to that top hose
15:28at the front of the engine
15:30and,
15:30I mean,
15:32everything about this
15:33seems wrong,
15:34but it's the only way
15:35I can think to get to it.
15:37No one should ever
15:38be climbing
15:39on top of a Ferrari.
15:41In fact,
15:42I'm going to put that
15:43on there.
15:43Don't tell anyone
15:44about this,
15:45will you?
15:45This is so ridiculous.
15:46Do you know what?
15:51It's an enormous job.
15:53Make no mistake about that.
15:54It's taken me
15:55the best part of five hours,
15:59but that's because
15:59I've been taking it slow,
16:00figuring it out as a go,
16:01being thoughtful
16:02and meticulous.
16:04I've got a whole load
16:05of mounting bolts to undo,
16:07and then I can raise the body up
16:08to reveal this enormous power plant
16:11and finally
16:12get to that cam belt.
16:15Well,
16:16I'm frankly too terrified
16:17to watch Elvis
16:18take that engine out,
16:19and with the risk
16:20we're taking,
16:21I need to focus on
16:22saving euros
16:22wherever we can,
16:24starting with
16:25that damaged bumper.
16:28So,
16:28I've been looking around
16:29on the internet
16:30for a replacement bumper,
16:32and the price is,
16:33well,
16:33now I'm ordering,
16:34they're coming in
16:35at around 2,000 quid,
16:37and I am not spending
16:38that kind of money.
16:40So,
16:40I've decided
16:41to send the bumper on ahead
16:43to a company
16:44who can repair it,
16:45and hopefully,
16:46it will come in
16:48at a fraction of the price.
16:50The technicians here
16:51at Zanasi
16:52are fully authorised
16:53by the Ferrari
16:54Classic Division.
16:56I've seen some body shops
16:57in my time.
16:58Wow!
16:59I mean,
17:00wow!
17:01But I've never seen
17:03anything like this.
17:04Asma,
17:05how are you doing?
17:06It's so nice to meet you.
17:08Welcome in Maranalo.
17:09I didn't expect this.
17:10It's blown me away.
17:12This is incredible.
17:13And my bumper
17:14is in here.
17:15Yeah,
17:15it's in here.
17:16It's brilliant.
17:19The team here
17:20have over 50 years'
17:21experience
17:22in classic car restoration.
17:24It's almost
17:25as much as me.
17:28Wow!
17:28There it is,
17:29our bumper.
17:30Ciao, Armando.
17:32Armando, ciao.
17:33I'm Mike.
17:33We're working on
17:35the paraurti.
17:36All the repairs
17:38they did
17:39didn't have
17:40prepared it well.
17:41I can interpret
17:42what he said there.
17:43He said,
17:44this is the worst bumper
17:45he's ever seen.
17:46Yeah,
17:46probably, yeah.
17:47This is not good.
17:49He said,
17:50it's not good.
17:50It's not the proper way.
17:51When he's repaired,
17:53it seems original.
17:54Dopo.
17:55When he completely
17:56repaired,
17:57it will be original.
17:58Oh, really?
17:58Yeah.
17:59So, Armando
17:59can get this
18:00back to original condition?
18:02Riesce a metterlo
18:03in origine.
18:06No,
18:07I'll do it.
18:09Thank you, Armando.
18:11While Armando
18:12finishes the prep work,
18:13I'm off to hang out
18:14in the ultimate
18:15waiting room.
18:17If you could choose
18:18one
18:18out of everything,
18:21which one
18:21would you go home with?
18:24The F40.
18:27Yeah.
18:29Me?
18:31That's what I would choose.
18:33Very nice to meet you.
18:35Arrivederci.
18:37Well,
18:37we can all dream.
18:39Right,
18:39back to our bumper.
18:40So far,
18:41Armando's prepared
18:42the bumper.
18:44He's got it all
18:44filed down.
18:45He's got all
18:46the rough edges off.
18:47He's put masking tape
18:48on the inside
18:49and he's packed it out
18:51to give some sort of
18:52base that we can work to.
18:54And we're going to be
18:54using fiberglass.
18:55Now,
18:56this stuff is
18:56rather nasty,
18:58so we need PPE.
18:59for fiberglass,
19:00so it's mask,
19:01goggles,
19:01and some gloves.
19:03Okay, Armando,
19:03ready?
19:04Ready.
19:04So fiberglass matting,
19:05strands of fiberglass,
19:07and they're going
19:08in all different
19:09directions.
19:10And if you
19:11lay this down
19:12and put a resin in it,
19:13it sets hard.
19:15And that's what
19:15we're going to be using
19:16to lay across
19:18these sections here
19:19to form the repair.
19:21The paint on the resin
19:22first,
19:24load it up,
19:25and then here comes
19:26the fiberglass,
19:27little windy strands.
19:29This new fiberglass
19:30will cover the whole area,
19:31sealing into
19:32and over the cracks.
19:34It's just
19:34a patient process.
19:37Take your time,
19:38build it up,
19:38layer by layer.
19:40Heat helps harden
19:42the resin,
19:42forming a rock-solid finish.
19:44Heat?
19:45Okay.
19:46Harder.
19:47Yeah.
19:49But already
19:50that's starting to go off,
19:53that's starting to set,
19:54and that's it.
19:55This can now be
19:56stripped back,
19:57it can be rubbed down,
19:58it can be filled again
20:00with just standard filler,
20:02and then it can be painted.
20:04What a job.
20:05Real craftsman as well
20:06at work.
20:10Hopefully,
20:11on the other side
20:12of Maranello,
20:13Signor Elvis
20:14is making
20:14equally good progress
20:16with our
20:16€65,000 investment.
20:23I think
20:24we're just about ready
20:25to separate
20:26the body
20:27from the engine,
20:28gearbox,
20:29rear subframe,
20:30including all
20:30of the rear suspension.
20:32I'm going to have
20:32to be very careful
20:33as I lift
20:34one off the other
20:35to make sure
20:35nothing's still connected.
20:37Any money we've saved
20:39by repairing our bumper
20:40could be lost
20:41in a flash
20:41if I fail to disconnect
20:42anything.
20:44The last thing
20:44I want to do
20:45is damage
20:45this valuable
20:46V8 engine.
20:48This is a seriously
20:49big job.
20:50Me and Elvis
21:04have travelled
21:04to Italy
21:05on a prancing horse
21:06pilgrimage.
21:08Look at that
21:09countryside around you.
21:11And you're driving
21:11a Ferrari.
21:14Fantastical.
21:14But pulling apart
21:17our Ferrari
21:18348
21:19to perform
21:19essential maintenance
21:20is a seriously
21:21risky business.
21:24Mike secured us
21:25the perfect workshop
21:26but only for three days
21:27so the pressure's on
21:28to get the V8 out
21:30and the new
21:30Campbell in.
21:33Mike?
21:34Yes?
21:35Come and give us
21:35a hand.
21:35I need an extra
21:36pair of eyes.
21:38Can you just have
21:38a look around
21:39and make sure
21:39there's nothing caught?
21:41All right, ready?
21:42It's coming down
21:43a little bit.
21:46Yep.
21:46All good.
21:47So, mate,
21:48if you head over
21:48to get the button
21:49just a little bit
21:51at a time.
21:52Say when?
21:52Yeah, go on.
21:55Yes.
21:57Yeah, a little bit more.
22:00Go on, keep going,
22:01keep going.
22:01Hold it there.
22:05All right, one sec.
22:08Yep.
22:08Keep going.
22:13Yes.
22:14All good?
22:15I think so.
22:15Just keep going up
22:16as you are.
22:17Yes.
22:19Look at that.
22:21Oh, mate,
22:22that is fantastic.
22:23Isn't it?
22:24That is a huge amount
22:26of work
22:26but the bulk of it
22:27is now done.
22:29We can get cracking.
22:31Top man.
22:32I'll happily leave
22:33Elvis to wrestle
22:34with the engine
22:34while I hunt
22:35for more ways
22:36to max our profit
22:37with some detective work
22:38on the steering wheel.
22:42If Giacomo
22:43would have left it black,
22:44I think even
22:45with the white interior
22:46it would have worked better.
22:48So me and Elvis,
22:49we're either
22:50going to replace
22:51this steering wheel
22:51with another one
22:52or there is a chance
22:54that underneath
22:54this white leather
22:56lies the original
22:57black steering wheel.
22:59Here we go.
23:00Moment of truth.
23:01A new old stock steering wheel
23:05for one of these Ferraris,
23:06believe it or not,
23:07just under €2,000.
23:09€2,000.
23:12A second-hand one,
23:14€850.
23:15Still a fortune of money.
23:18So all things are crossed
23:20as I finally get underneath
23:22this white leather
23:23to reveal underneath.
23:25There it is.
23:30That is the original
23:32steering wheel
23:32right there
23:33underneath.
23:35All I've got to do
23:35is peel all this off,
23:37clean it up with a bit of glue,
23:38it'll be good to go.
23:40With the engine safely out,
23:42there's another job
23:43that needs doing
23:43before I tackle
23:44that all-important cam belt.
23:46I'm not putting it off,
23:47I promise.
23:49I've got to replace
23:50the CV boots,
23:51these rubber covers
23:52that protect the CV joints
23:53on either end of the driveshaft.
23:55They keep the grease inside
23:57to lubricate the joint itself
23:58and stop any dirt or water
24:00from ingressing
24:01from the outside,
24:02which could cause corrosion
24:03and then failure.
24:04And these are heavily split,
24:06worn away over time
24:07and need to replace
24:08with new ones.
24:09A CV or constant velocity joint
24:11allows the driveshaft
24:13to turn through multiple angles
24:14as the car suspension
24:15moves up and down.
24:18But replacing the rubber CV boots
24:20means removing
24:21the entire driveshaft.
24:23OK.
24:23There we go.
24:25That is one of our driveshafts
24:27and look,
24:27you can quite clearly see
24:28how that boot
24:30is completely destroyed
24:32and split.
24:33We're going to replace this
24:34with an original part
24:35like for like.
24:36It doesn't cost a lot of money.
24:37The first thing I need to do
24:38is get these clips off,
24:39get the boots off
24:40and give the whole thing
24:41a good cleanup.
24:42All right.
24:49I've got myself
24:50a set of brand new CV boots.
24:53It's just rubber,
24:54so I'm going to use
24:55a little bit of light oil
24:56just around the collar
24:57that will enable me
24:59to get it into position
25:01without damaging it,
25:03of course.
25:03It's just a case
25:04of easing it on.
25:07There we go.
25:08That's it.
25:09So that goes on there.
25:12Now here's my fully inspected
25:13and now cleaned out
25:14CV joint
25:15and that's going to slot
25:16over the splines
25:17on the end of the drive shaft.
25:19And then what I need to do
25:20is get this little circlip
25:22back into the groove
25:23and putting a little bit
25:25of pressure
25:25on the whole thing,
25:26which means it's nicely secured.
25:30Now this is our CV joint grease.
25:33Now it's not like
25:34any old CV joint grease.
25:35This is pretty special stuff.
25:37It's lithium based
25:38and it means that it's got
25:39anti-corrosion inhibitors
25:40in there.
25:41It's water resistant.
25:42It can cope with
25:42very high temperatures.
25:44It's actually very similar stuff
25:45to what they use
25:46in a Formula One car,
25:46believe it or not.
25:48This grease will keep the joint
25:49properly lubricated
25:50to prevent overheating
25:52and wear.
25:52So I need to pack the CV coupling
25:54absolutely full of it.
25:56There we go.
25:57One CV boot replaced
25:59and good for many more
26:00miles to come,
26:01which means
26:02I've got to do the same
26:03on the other end
26:03and then of course
26:04on the other drive shaft
26:05before I can get them
26:06back on the car.
26:09Right, there's only one job
26:11left to do now
26:12and it's the big one.
26:15So before Elvis prepares
26:17for cam belt surgery,
26:18I've lined up
26:19a very important field trip.
26:22Mate, I've got to tell you,
26:23there's something about
26:24this region of Italy
26:25that I absolutely love.
26:27It's not only Maranello,
26:28you know,
26:28the home of Ferrari.
26:29Yes.
26:30It's also famous
26:30for other bits and pieces
26:32around here,
26:33which is quite nice.
26:34How on earth have you got that?
26:35Well, it's famous
26:36for its ham.
26:37It's famous...
26:38Parma ham.
26:39Mmm, you don't...
26:41You're all right, mate.
26:42Oh God, that is delicious.
26:43But, you know,
26:44it's something you can eat.
26:45It's also famous.
26:48Parmesan cheese.
26:49Come on, have a bit of cheese.
26:51I don't want to leave your cheese.
26:52This is the most cheesy thing
26:53you're ever going to do today.
26:54You get your cheese away from me.
26:56Oh, that is delicious.
26:58The car is a Ferrari, right?
27:04So I'm thinking about you
27:05all the time.
27:06I worry.
27:06I sit up at night
27:08worrying about you
27:09worrying about things
27:11like Campbell's.
27:11You were worrying about
27:12where you were going to get
27:13your Parmesan cheese.
27:14Well, of course, yeah.
27:14I mean, that is really nice.
27:16Parmesan cheese.
27:17I've got to tell you.
27:18So, we are going to go
27:19to the Ferrari
27:20in the Sanctum.
27:21Oh, hello.
27:22Yes, we're going
27:23to the Classic division.
27:24It's a Ferrari classica.
27:26Are they going to let me in?
27:27As long as you don't
27:28mention the word McLaren
27:30and I've arranged for us
27:32to meet a legend
27:33in the terms of
27:34Ferrari engineering,
27:36particularly on the road
27:36going cars,
27:38is a guy called Irmo.
27:41To be able to speak
27:41to someone...
27:42You all right with that?
27:44To be able to speak
27:45to somebody
27:46who really knows
27:47their stuff about
27:48these engines
27:48cannot be anything
27:49but a help.
27:50So, that is good news, mate.
27:53Sitting right in the heart
27:55of Maranello,
27:56Ferrari Classic K
27:58is where
27:58the wealthiest collectors
27:59bring their cars
28:00to be restored
28:01by some of the finest
28:02auto artisans
28:04in the business.
28:06You can already see
28:07some very special stuff.
28:08Well, think of it like this.
28:10If Ferrari is a religion,
28:11you're just about to step
28:13into what is
28:14the cathedral.
28:15Yeah.
28:15It's amazing, isn't it?
28:17Oh, my word.
28:18Where do you look?
28:23The amount of money
28:24tucked away in here.
28:25It's an assault
28:26on your senses.
28:27Ah, this must be Lisa.
28:28Yeah.
28:29How are you?
28:30Very nice to see you.
28:31Nice to meet you.
28:32Nice to meet you.
28:32Mike, this is Elvis,
28:33and this is Irma.
28:35Very nice to meet you.
28:36The King of Engineers.
28:38I don't know
28:39what the correct protocol.
28:41Do we bow?
28:42Do we curtsy?
28:43Do we have to hear more?
28:45Can we have a look around?
28:46Of course we have.
28:46Yeah?
28:48Every car
28:49in this remarkable garage
28:50is a work of art.
28:53There's even a Ferrari 250 GTO,
28:56motoring's equivalent
28:57of the Mona Lisa.
28:59Oh, wow.
29:00Just 36 of these
29:02achingly beautiful cars
29:04were ever built.
29:05This has to be worth
29:07many, many, many millions.
29:1038 million.
29:11And Kimo have a surprise for you.
29:14He's giving us the car?
29:15Yeah, it's for us.
29:15He's going to give us it.
29:17Oh, wow.
29:19Now that...
29:20Oh, my goodness.
29:21That is beyond new.
29:23Look at the trumpets.
29:24The detail in that.
29:25That's ridiculous.
29:27It's jaw-droppingly inspiring,
29:29but I'm here for practical advice
29:31to make sure our Ferrari engine
29:32meets prancing horse perfection.
29:35And this is the workshop manual
29:37for our car.
29:39Yeah.
29:40Perfect.
29:42Okay, time to try out my Italian.
29:45Okay, so...
29:46Um...
29:47And the...
29:48Um...
29:48Cinghia...
29:49Um...
29:50How much play?
29:51Um...
29:52Um...
29:53And the...
29:54Um...
29:55Uno...
29:56Uno...
29:56Um...
29:57Millimeter?
29:59Oh.
30:00You can translate that for him.
30:01Yeah.
30:02And I have the component...
30:03Maybe I need a few more lessons.
30:06Due millimetre.
30:07So, two millimetres of play
30:09when the new belt goes back on.
30:11In this way, we're confident
30:12that the engine can work
30:13safely.
30:14Okay, perfect.
30:16So, I have taken the engine
30:18out of our car
30:19and I want to change the cam belt.
30:21The...
30:22Um...
30:23Uh...
30:23Cinquio?
30:24Cinquio?
30:24Cinghia.
30:25Cinghia.
30:25Cinghia.
30:26Is there anything else you suggest
30:27that I change whilst I have it out?
30:29I will change the Cinghia.
30:31I will also change the accessories
30:32of the alternator and compressor.
30:34I will take a look on this cushion
30:37that has on this bike.
30:39So, it won't be a game.
30:41Okay?
30:43Irmo is also keen to emphasize
30:44the importance of using
30:46original Ferrari parts
30:47as it will add value
30:48when we come to sell the car.
30:51The Ferrari engine
30:53was already made from the original
30:54the founder.
30:55Not for anything.
30:56All the Ferrari engines
30:58were designed
30:59and engineered in Ferrari and I can guarantee that in every new engine there is a new engine.
31:04There is an attention from the project engineering office to the technologies to the quality of
31:10all of them to verify the beauty of the projects we are doing.
31:29I'm going to turn the engine over using this big brace bar until the piston is at its highest point in its compression stroke and once there I'm going to mark the position very carefully of every one of our camshafts, the belt, the pulleys, the tensioners, everything so that when I put it all back together I know it's in exactly the same spot.
31:59Right, so that's now at top dead centre on piston number one which means I can now take a paint pen and mark the position of all of these pulleys.
32:19The 348 engine was slightly unusual because other Ferrari engines of the day had two cam belts, one for either side of the engine,
32:28whereas this one has just a single long belt.
32:31Its job though is absolutely no less important because what it does it controls the timing of the engine and that means how the valves open and close in relation to the pistons moving up and down inside the cylinders.
32:44The tolerances on these engines are so fine that if that's just the tiniest bit out the consequences could be catastrophic.
32:52Next I need to remove the front pulley so I need another pair of hands to lock the flywheel into position.
33:05Marius, I'm going to take the front pulley off, could you lock the flywheel in position?
33:11Tell me when you're ready.
33:12Okay, it's in place.
33:13Yeah, okay, here we go.
33:14Okay, thank you.
33:15Then, once we've undone the tensioner, I can get the old cam belt off.
33:31Yeah?
33:32Okay, that's it.
33:33Okay.
33:34Okay, thank you.
33:35Yeah, lovely.
33:36Right.
33:37There we go.
33:38There we go.
33:39Right, look at that.
33:40What an enormous cam belt.
33:54But effectively, that can go in the bin.
33:57The new Ferrari cam belt actually cost less than 50 euros, but I'm taking Irmo's advice and changing some other key components while I've got the chance.
34:06This is an idler wheel, essentially a bearing, and this is the tensioner.
34:10By adding those into the mix, it brings the cost up to just over 500 euros, which of course is a little bit more.
34:15But it's impossible to get to these with that engine in the car.
34:19And let's face it, no one wants to be taking that out again.
34:22Right, this is the moment.
34:38This is the very reason this entire engine came out of the car, is to fit this new timing belt.
34:43And because it's a single belt on these engines, it's long, and that means I'm definitely going to need more than one pair of hands.
34:49We need to get this in position and held in the right place.
34:53So, there we go.
34:54We'll get that on there.
34:56And if we can hold that, get that over that camshaft.
35:00That's it.
35:01Let's make sure we get these marks lined up.
35:03See, so we need to pull this back.
35:06That's it.
35:07That's it.
35:08A little bit more.
35:09Yep.
35:10That's it.
35:11Okay.
35:12A little bit more.
35:17It's like trying to wrestle an octopus.
35:20There's tentacles everywhere, and they've all got to be perfectly lined up.
35:25And this is a little special tool that we can use to try and just lever the belt over that tensioner.
35:34But of course, at the same time, we've got to make sure nothing moves.
35:40And it's tight.
35:41Almost.
35:42Yes, come on.
35:43Yes, yes, yes.
35:44Yeah, I think we're on.
35:45Yes.
35:46Okay.
35:48Thank you, guys.
35:49Thanks for having me.
35:50Oh, that is a mammoth challenge, but that means that's now on and in place.
36:12Everything's timed up exactly as it should be.
36:15I've just now got to get the bottom pulley on the cover back on.
36:18two new auxiliary belts for the air conditioning, the alternator,
36:21and then finally, we can get this engine back into that car
36:25before we get kicked out of this workshop.
36:31What a mission.
36:34Right, that engine is going to be in the car.
36:38Engine's in the car, engine's in the car, engine is in the car.
36:44Ah!
36:44I was just sort of willing and hoping that that would be in that by now.
36:51Yeah, I was hoping that too, but it's not.
36:53It's ready to go in, if that helps, but it's a massive amount of work, mate.
36:57Okay, well, that's a bit of a problem because we've literally got hours left of this workshop,
37:01so we're going to have to jump on this, and we are sort of up against another clock as well
37:06because Autodromo di Modena, which is a nice little race circuit in this area,
37:11I once visited ten years ago.
37:13They found out that we're in the area, and they've invited us and our Ferrari down
37:18to give the car a bit of a shakedown on their track.
37:21Nice, that's exciting.
37:22Tomorrow.
37:23Okay, great.
37:25Well, I mean, sleep's overrated anyway, isn't it?
37:27It is.
37:29Mamma mia, it's going to be a long night.
37:31Our time in northern Italy's historic motor valley is coming to an end.
37:46Woo-hoo.
37:47Go on, son.
37:47Go on, get the slipper down.
37:49Go on, look at that.
37:50Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
37:51I like that.
37:51That's good.
37:52Having gambled 65,000 euros on the Ferrari 348,
37:56we're praying our prancing horse doesn't give us any nasty kicks.
38:01The cam belt change has already had me sweating,
38:04and now I've got to get this hugely complex V8 engine back in the car.
38:11A little bit more.
38:13Whoa.
38:14One more.
38:15Okay, stop.
38:17Perfect.
38:18Every bolt, pipe and cable needs meticulously refitting.
38:24And we've just got enough time for the all-important finishing touches.
38:28Seats are looking so much better with this cleaner and that steering wall.
38:33Yeah, looks good, doesn't it?
38:35Let's hope Elvis' engineering genius and some of my money-saving fixes will reap rewards.
38:49Mate, doesn't it look good?
38:51In the cusp of time as well.
38:52Yeah, it looks incredible.
38:54Yeah, I mean, I'm even coming round to the black paint job.
38:56Yeah.
38:57It looks great.
38:58It's been a proper team effort, this, isn't it?
39:00Yeah.
39:00Oh, massive.
39:01Massive challenge.
39:05When we took on a Ferrari in need of major engine work,
39:08the stakes were high.
39:10One wrong move could have cost us thousands.
39:12But the gamble paid off,
39:16and by removing the engine to change the cam belt and CV boots,
39:20I was able to save us a fortune.
39:25And I played my part too,
39:27salvaging the original steering wheel
39:29and fixing the bumper to save yet more precious euros.
39:32In total, our frugal Ferrari fixes have cost us just over 2,200 euros,
39:41giving us a good chance of a profit.
39:43But we can't think about selling until we've given our free-for-rate
39:47the kind of test drive every Ferrari deserves.
39:51And check it's delivering the visceral, analogue thrills this car is so famous for.
39:56Oh, yeah.
40:21Oh, on the anchors.
40:23Very, very nice.
40:24It just sounds so good.
40:26Never get bored of that noise.
40:33This is nice, Elvis.
40:34I like this.
40:36A little bit swirly there.
40:38Coming down the straight, getting on the brakes.
40:41But you can really feel it,
40:42and I have got the confidence, Elvis,
40:44to really wring its neck.
40:47Thanks for you doing all that work on the engine,
40:50the cam belt change.
40:52Everything we've done to this car has improved at no end.
40:55It just feels, wow, it feels good.
41:00You know, the nice thing about it is you can now really push it with confidence,
41:04knowing that it's got a new cam belt, knowing that those CV boots are all done.
41:08There's something that's beautifully mechanical about this car.
41:19I know when I'm putting my right foot down, there's a cable connected to the throttle, you know?
41:24Yeah, that's right.
41:25It just feels real.
41:27That's what you really want to drive it.
41:28You want to feel every lump and bump, every little input you make needs to make a difference out of car forks.
41:34And that's what you can get with this.
41:37Point to get on the straight, get the slipper down, back on the brakes, very good.
41:44It just throws you around, doesn't it?
41:45It throws you back in the seat, throws you forward on the brakes, everything a Ferrari should do.
41:49You know, it's been a huge amount of work, hasn't it?
41:54I mean, taking an engine out of one of these, it's no small task.
41:57I'm not sure I ever thought I'd ever get the chance to get my hands on one of those engines with a big prancing horse on the top.
42:02You've enjoyed it, have you?
42:03Great experience, isn't it?
42:05It's high-end engineering, you know, and that's what I love.
42:06I think I might treat myself to one.
42:32Well, mate, how good is that?
42:33We turned up here in Italy, this beautiful country.
42:36We bought a slice of their heritage, a part of their religion, we fixed it up, we made it a much better car, and we've had an incredible day on the track.
42:46Yeah, we really have.
42:47And also, we've proved that once you own one of these, you don't have to break the bank to keep it running.
42:51No, you certainly don't.
42:52Now, I know that somebody in the next few days is going to get themselves a belting car.
42:57Yeah, they really are, but until then, we own it, which means I'm taking it for a lap.
43:01You certainly deserve it.
43:02Well, that is the most fun I have ever had in a Ferrari.
43:14Yeah, me too.
43:15And the car went into the hands of somebody who we hope is going to have the same amount of fun as we've had.
43:20Yeah, we have turned out a brilliant car here, even if it was the wrong colour.
43:26Get over it.
43:27Get over it.
43:48Get over it.
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