Highlights
- One of only 700 fibreglass-bodied 308 GTBs - the lightest and most desirable variant
- Less than 2,000 miles covered during the last 18 years
- Extensive service history with £18,000 spent on maintenance and upgrades
- Garaged for the last 18 years, preserving its condition
The Appeal
Initially, Ferrari had been nervous about introducing a sports car with any fewer than twelve cylinders, hence the creation of the Dino sub-brand in 1968. However, rave reviews and strong sales of the V6 mid-engined 246 and GTS models showed the Maranello board that they needn't have worried. Therefore the Dino's replacement, the 308, would wear the Cavallino Rampante and Ferrari moniker with pride - and deservedly too. It was a fantastic car.
The kept the Dino's mid-engined layout although the engine grew by two cylinders and 240 bhp. Enthusiasts favour the Berlinetta (GTB) model for its greater torsional rigidity and thus better handling. And this 1976 example is better still as one of only 700 fibreglass-bodied 308 GTBs, known as the 'Vetroresina' models. It's the Holy Grail of 308s.
The vendor tells us:
"I purchased this vehicle in June 2007, It was originally registered in Italy as a left hand drive model and was imported to the UK in 1998 and subsequently converted to right hand drive prior to my purchase.
"There are receipts on file for circa £18,000 for service and and repair work carried out by KHP the Ferrari centre in Maidstone Kent including a new 288 GTO style interior & sports exhaust etc.
"The 308 has covered less then 2,000 miles in the last 18 years and is now showing 100,000 km / 60,000 miles and has been garaged stored for the last 18 years with occasional use. I have carried my own maintenance as a mechanical engineer by trade, carrying out regular oil changes and a cam belt change about years ago."
The kept the Dino's mid-engined layout although the engine grew by two cylinders and 240 bhp. Enthusiasts favour the Berlinetta (GTB) model for its greater torsional rigidity and thus better handling. And this 1976 example is better still as one of only 700 fibreglass-bodied 308 GTBs, known as the 'Vetroresina' models. It's the Holy Grail of 308s.
The vendor tells us:
"I purchased this vehicle in June 2007, It was originally registered in Italy as a left hand drive model and was imported to the UK in 1998 and subsequently converted to right hand drive prior to my purchase.
"There are receipts on file for circa £18,000 for service and and repair work carried out by KHP the Ferrari centre in Maidstone Kent including a new 288 GTO style interior & sports exhaust etc.
"The 308 has covered less then 2,000 miles in the last 18 years and is now showing 100,000 km / 60,000 miles and has been garaged stored for the last 18 years with occasional use. I have carried my own maintenance as a mechanical engineer by trade, carrying out regular oil changes and a cam belt change about years ago."
The History and Paperwork
- Italian home market LHD example; the car was in Italy until 1998, avoiding severe chassis corrosion common in UK cars
- Acquired by the vendor in June 2007, becoming the fifth UK registered keeper
- Converted to right-hand drive
- Invoices on file for approximately £18,000 for service and repair work by KHP, the Ferrari Centre in Maidstone, Kent
- Garaged throughout the vendor's tenure (18 years), covering less than 2,000 miles and now showing 100,000 km / 60,000 miles
- Exempt from road tax and MOT
The Condition
- Exterior is in good presentable condition
- Paintwork has chips and scratches commensurate with age; eminently usable as-is
- Underside of the car is reportedly in very sound order having spent much of its life in Italy; please note that the aluminium under tray is missing
- Bonnet is a non-original item, but the correct genuine Ferrari bonnet is included, purchased from Maranello Classic Spares for £1,500
- 288 GTO-style upholstery fitted by Ferrari centre, Maidstone in 2007
- Brand new period-style Bluetooth stereo fitted but not currently connected
- Steering wheel is an authentic Nardi item, brand new from Italy
- Electric windows are not working at present
The Mechanics
- 3.0-litre F106 V8 with wet sump unit replacing the original wet sump system
- Five-speed "dog-leg" gated manual
- EU spec carburettor model - the purest of the original 308s
- We're informed that the engine runs well, benefitting from with regular oil and filter changes
- Ignition system updated to a Pertronix electronic system for improved starting and performance
- Sports exhaust system fitted which sounds fantastic at full bore
- The vendor regards this car as the last of the original analogue Ferraris, remarking that the driving experience is truly "visceral"
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