thanks for the advice terry. as you saw, the car was a complete basketcase when it was in europe...someone in boca (right near where i live) fixed it there and brought it in. present owner bought it from the boca guy - i was told where it was worked on in hollywood florida so i may call them first to ask about the car beforehand. car is in pasadena, i'd have to send massimo over there to have it checked...could also ask wil de groot in NJ - there's a few good guys in CA i could ask to go take a look. i'll start at step one and go to the shop here ... was pretty insane reading about the issues on the car!