1981 Ferrari 308 GTS RHD
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Highlights
- Desirable 252bhp carburettor model
- One of 184 RHD carburettor GTS models
- Little used since bare metal restoration and engine rebuild by Ferrari specialist
- Recent extensive retrim, mechanical refurbishment and service
- Maranello Concessionaires 1980 London Motor Show car
- Rare Argento Auteuil metallic with red leather interior
- Low mileage car in very good order
The Appeal
The 308 catapulted Ferrari into the big time. There had been brilliant Enzo cars before but it was the new mid-engined marvel, with its sinuous panelwork and sonorous V8, that brought the tiny Maranello outfit to the masses.
The early cars are particularly desirable because they retain the more powerful carburettor-fed arrangement, a set up that also contributes to the aural delights. Here we have one of the last of those built and the car that Maranello Concessionaires featured on its 1980 London Motor Show stand. It breaks tradition in a very appealing way by being finished in rare Argento Auteuil metallic rather than the more common Rosso.
Following long term storage, which has kept the mileage low, this car received a very high end, bare metal bodywork and engine rebuild by a Ferrari specialist under the aegis of the previous owner. More recently there has been a comprehensive mechanical refurbishment and service plus an interior retrim.
The result is a car in very good condition with a thick history file to confirm its provenance. Interest in the early 308s has always been strong and this one will certainly appeal to the collector.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered 1st February 1981
- 10 registered keepers
- Current keeper acquired the car on 1st February 2021
- Recorded by DVLA as previously white but this may be an error as original bill of sale shows Argento Auteuil
- Originally ordered by Maranello in Egham for Coopers, Leicestershire in February 1980
- List price was £19,253.49 including optional deep front spoiler, air conditioning and deep dish alloys
- The car was displayed on the Maranello stand at the 1980 London Motor Show
- Delivered to Cooopers in December 1980
- Acquired by first registered keeper through Modena Engineering in February 1981
- Extensive history to 1990 when the car was taken off the road and dry stored
- Bare metal respray and engine rebuild undertaken by previous keeper shortly before sale
- This work was undertaken by a well known Ferrari specialist
- Current keeper has refurbished all components and ancillaries and retrimmed interior
- Extensive photographic history of restoration work shown in photos and in file
- Original service book and owners manual plus factory wallet
- QV London invoices dated 2021 covering retrim, exhaust work and service at 56,320 miles
- QV London pre-sale inspection dated 19th February 2021
- Letters from Maranello Concessionaires confirming vehicle specification and provenance
- Original order form showing colour and options as detailed above
- Ferrari press release from April 1981 regarding release of new fuel injected car
- Older invoices including from specialist Graypaul for maintenance work
- Last MOT expired on 19th January 2022 showing no advisories and 55,647 mles on test
- Historic Vehicle which is exempt from car tax, MOT and ULEZ charges
The vendor states that the original magnesium alloys and tyres, shallow front spoiler and original exhaust system can be supplied to the buyer by separate arrangement.
The Condition
- Original factory-correct Argento Auteuil metallic subject to bare metal respray a few years ago
- Very sparing use since means the car presents in very good order with good paintwork
- Panelwork is similarly well kept with good fit and finish
- Tidy five spoke Cromodora alloys in well kept condition with matching spare
- Retrimmed Rosso red leather interior reassembled to factory-correct specification
- Carpets also retrimmed to high standard and refitted
- Original tool kit, jack and storage bag
The recent investment in this beautiful Argento Auteuil car is obvious from the photographs. The bare metal respray was undertaken by the previous keeper and the interior retrim is newer, but both reflect the quality of the work and the car’s sparing use since. It is part of a high end classic Ferrari collection, with all the care and attention that inevitably implies.
Compared to the more common Rosso it is great to see a Maranello car finished in grey metallic, a shade that was popular for Ferrari road cars before the 1980s. It accentuates the bodywork, which is well kept with tidy panel fit and finish.
Inside the story is the same, a highly original car in great condition. Some neat factory optional touches complete the picture, including air conditioning and deep front spoiler.
The Mechanics
- Recently rebuilt 2,926cc ‘Dino’ V8 developing 252bhp
- Four twin-choke Weber carburettors
- 5spd manual gearbox
- Performance exhaust and headers fitted
- Recent service by QV London with few miles covered since
- Extensive mechanical overhaul work documented in invoices since 2021
The ‘Dino’ power unit originally developed for racing by Enzo’s son proved so good and so effective that it underpinned all non-V12 Ferraris for decades. That includes this 308, which got a 3litre V8 version. These early cars run on a quartet of twin-choke Webers which makes them more powerful than later fuel injected cars. The other bonus is that they deliver a very appropriate and mellifluous soundtrack that is favoured by collectors.
The engine on this car was fully rebuilt as part of the comprehensive overhaul executed by the previous owner shortly before the current keeper acquired the car. This work was undertaken by a well known Ferrari specialist to whom the current keeper has entrusted his other two classic Ferraris. It has covered very few miles since.
There is evidence of further work, by QV London, since he acquired the car. This work has included fitting a performance exhaust and headers.
The car arrives on the market with few miles since its last service and said to be in excellent mechanical health. Further evidence of this is provided by a 2021 pre-sale health check also undertaken by QV London.
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies.
✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is highly recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check, to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing.
✓ Whilst ****Car & Classic check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed and we provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and so you are strongly advised to obtain a full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection or delivery.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1981
- Make Ferrari
- Model 308
- Colour Silver
- Odometer 58,487 Miles
- Engine size 2926
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Location London
- Country United Kingdom
26
bids
- Ne•••• £63,000 22/04/24
- Ne•••• £60,000 22/04/24
- sc•••• £53,250 22/04/24
- gr•••• £52,750 22/04/24
- J-•••• £52,100 22/04/24
- ma•••• £51,500 22/04/24
- J-•••• £50,500 22/04/24
- ma•••• £50,000 22/04/24
- J-•••• £49,000 22/04/24
- Tw•••• £48,750 22/04/24
The Gallery
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