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Highlights

A beautifully restored example of the targa topped 308GTSi
Subject to a full bare metal restoration with accompanying photographic archive
Having covered less than 50,000 miles (79,000 km)
A factory left hand drive model and so suited to numerous worldwide geographies

The Appeal

The Ferrari 308 made its debut at the 1975 Paris Motor Show. The new car had big shoes to fill, essentially being the spiritual successor to the fabled Dino. Luckily, Pininfarina’s Leonardo Fioravanti was charged with the car’s creation. Fioravanti had designed the Daytona, Dino and Berlinetta Boxer so boasted the right credentials. The result was very well received.

The 308’s original carburettor fed V8 made 252bhp at a screaming 6,600rpm. A GTS, targa topped version was introduced in 1977. In 1980 Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection was added to cope with more stringent emissions regulations with an “i” suffix added to the name in recognition. With only 1,743 GTSis built, it only helps to underscore the GTSi’s desirable classic status.

This example presents beautifully inside, outside and mechanically due to a recent and highly professional bare metal restoration. With its UK registration and current MOT, despite being exempt on historic grounds, this is an iconic and targa topped Ferrari that can be enjoyed immediately.

The History and Paperwork

This 308 was manufactured in 1981 as a factory left hand drive example
This is from the last full year of 308GTSi producing before the arrival of the Quattrovalvole
The 308 was first registered in the UK on in December 2014
Since that time two keepers have been registered
The first owner retained the car for around 3 years
The current owner acquired the car in February 2022
During this tenure the Ferrari has benefitted from a full, bare metal restoration
The car is currently situated in the benign and preservative climate of Thailand
The car is currently reported as having covered 79,000 km
The accompanying paperwork was not on hand when the car was photographed
We understand the current V5 registration document is available
This categorises the 308 as an Historic Vehicle on the basis of age
As such it is considered MOT exempt and zero rated for VED in the UK
The Ferrari holds a current MOT despite its exemption
This is an advisory free test and valid until November 2024
Two other MOTs are logged on the DVLA portal
Both of these are advisory free
The first is from March 2019 at 75,888 km
The second is from July 2020 at 75,923 km

The Interior

The interior appears highly original throughout with all expected 308 cues present
The interior is finished in black leather with black accompaniments
The original Veglia Borletti gauge set is present, correct and looks superb
Factory fitted with optional Borletti air conditioning, a valued enhancement

This is a fine looking, classic Ferrari interior finished in all black. The seats are deeply bolstered and exhibit present in an excellent condition. They feature stitching that creates a geometric design which is finished with a centrally stitched leather band. These seemingly original items really set the tone for this well-presented and highly authentic interior.

The dashboard is finished in black leather and features a tall instrument binnacle directly ahead of the driver. This is home to five, original white on black Veglia Borletti gauges. The speedometer and accompanying odometer are calibrated in kilometres. A smaller fuel gauge, water temperature gauge and oil pressure gauge are also housed here. These sit behind the original three spoke, alloy and leather Nardi steering wheel. This bares the Nardi signature, Ferrari script embossing and a yellow prancing horse boss. In the centre console sits the iconic dogleg, alloy gated gear lever. Air conditioning controls and other charming, lozenge topped, switchgear and heater controls are also situated here.

Black carpets with edge binding and black rubber heal pads are fitted. The door cards are finished with black leather. Behind The shaped rear window and glazed, three quarter lights help flood the cabin with light. A period correct Blaupunkt Bristol radio cassette head unit is fitted.

Useful storage compartments are housed at both ends of the car. In the nose is a spare wheel compartment, complete with full sized alloy spare wheel and washer bottle. In the tail is a carpeted luggage compartment with a zipped protective lid. The tool roll is housed here and access to the Bosch electric aerial is available. The owner reports the boot latch to be faulty.

The Exterior

The 308 is finished in classic Rosso Corsa red livery
Thanks to the diligent restoration the condition looks “as new” throughout
The correct metric sized, five spoke Ferrari Campagnolo alloy wheels are present

The Pininfarina design is one of the most recognisable and successful of this period and provided a curvier counterpoint to the much more wedge shaped and hard edged 308 GT4. It was much more reminiscent of the earlier, beloved Dino’s design thanks to them both being penned by Fioravanti. The car has clearly been very professionally restored. The paintwork exudes a high shine and seems appropriately thick and smoothly applied. No imperfections to the paintwork or bodywork was noted from the photographic package.

Our car rides on an original looking set of Ferrari Campagnolo 390mm light alloy wheels. The condition looks excellent throughout suggesting they may have previously been refurbished. They are centred with bright looking, yellow prancing horse caps. A new and matching set of the correct sized Michelin XWX tyres are fitted. Their configuration being 220/55 VR390.

The Mechanics

This 1981 model is fitted with the Ferrari Tipo F106 AB V8 mid mounted engine
Equipped in this form with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection
Power is fed to the rear wheels via the dogleg, five speed manual transmission

The Bosch fuel injection system was added to the 308 in 1980 as emissions regulations in some geographies became stricter. Power was quoted at 211bhp which, in the 1,200kg car, made it good for a 150+ mph top speed and acceleration to match.

In the current ownership much has been done to ensure this car’s driving experience matches its sublime looks. The owner reports that a full and extensive service history is available with the car although not photographed. The Ferrari has recently been serviced by the local Aston Martin dealership and some minor mechanical repairs have been made.

The breadth and depth of this car’s restoration is clearly demonstrated by the condition of the underside and associated componentry. The suspension set up looks showroom fresh with new brake pipes, bushes and hardware all noted. Likewise, the underside of the engine with the alloy, finned sump cover looking immaculate.

Summary

Ferrari’s 308 has gone on to be one of Ferraris most recognisable and successful classic models. The car helped Ferrari survive and navigate the difficult transition between the Dino and the more modern and competitive cars that followed. By modern standards it was always a low volume car with significantly less than 2,000 built in this targa topped GTSi configuration.

This example presents in a beautifully restored condition throughout. This is probably as close to showroom condition as you are likely to find in a Ferrari now over 40 years old. Clearly much time and money has been spent keeping the car an attractive and rare ownership proposition for the next lucky owner.

BEFORE YOU BUY

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