Description
1980 Ferrari 308 GTS chassis 30653
The Pininfarina-styled Ferrari 308 GTB was introduced at the Paris Motor Show in 1975 as a supplement to the Bertone-shaped 2+2 Dino 308 GT4 and as a direct replacement for the 2-seater Dino 246.
At the 1977 Frankfurt Motor Show, the targa topped 308 GTS was introduced. All GTS' used a wet sump engine and were steel-bodied. There were 3219 GTS' (of which only 184 were UK RHD) made from 1975 to 1980 before switching to the less popular and slower fuel injected GTSi.
In 2004 Sports Car International named the 308 GTS/ GTB as the 5th best in the list of Top Sports Cars of 1970’s behind such iconic cars as Lamboghini Miura SV, Countach and Ferrari Daytona
Chassis 30653
Ordered on 1st November 1979 by Maranello Concessionaires in Argento Auteuil with “VM 3282” interior (blue carpet and blue with black inserts leather) the car had further extras of air conditioning, metallic paint and wide wheels. The first owner, Devon landowner Peter Goide, gave Maranello his 308 GT4 as a part exchange and took delivery of KPL 579W on 1st January 1981.
Early servicing was at Maranello with the book stamped 12th January 1981 (running in service), 4th March 1981, 18th November 1981 and 9th December 1982 as he clocked up miles commuting between his estate in Cornwall and his house in South Kensington. He then relocated to France keeping the car in Devon so little mileage was added until the next service at 22, 150 miles completed at Emblem Sports Cars in 1987 including a new clutch and cambelt. Still primarily based in France the car had little use until its next service by Mortimer Houghton Turner in April 1998 at 24, 905 miles where a £6, 820 service included belts and clutch and flywheel. They serviced the car again in March 1999 at 27, 863 miles and again in September 1999 at 30, 328 miles. Talacrest bought the car from Peter Goide in September 1999 and commissioned Rardley Motors serviced the car ahead of a sale in November 1999 at 30, 475 miles.
The second owner, Richard Downes paid Talacrest in November 1999 £72, 000 for Chassis 30653 and a matching silver 512BBi. He had DH Motorsport service the car in October 2001 at 31, 240 miles (another Cambelt) and also had the rear suspension rebuilt. In June 2004 he applied to DVLA to have the car SORN’d at 31, 582 miles (backed by MOT certificate). This didn’t stop him having the Cambelts changed in Septmeber 2004 again at DH Motorsport. In January 2005 Richard Downes emigrated to Australia taking several cars from his collection including Aston Martin Vantage, Maserati Bora, Jaguar E Type, Bristol 411 and chassis 30653 along with a collection of vintage motorbikes. Richard moved to Australia as a lifestyle retirement and to start a business restoring classic cars and motorbikes. Chassis 30653 was registered in Australia in March 2006.
Third owner, Michael Kelly, bought 30653 in December 2006. He kept the car, regularly servicing at Steve Toms, a local specialist in NSW (invoices on file) until selling the car in October 2008 to Stan Muzica, a long term Ferrari owner in NSW. He kept the car serviced initially at Piccola Scuderia, and then Ferrari specialist Cavallino Motorsport (all invoices on file) before selling to the well-known classic car specialist, Classic Throttle in Sydney in February 2015. The car was then re-imported to the UK by Classic Throttle’s proprietor Rory Johnston to his brother in Hampshire and the car was reassigned its original registration KPL 579W.
Serviced in May 2016 by Rardley Motors at 50, 967 the following comment was added to the invoice “We found the car to be very good mechanically, also the car is very good cosmetically. The car drove very well and is one of the better examples of the Ferrari 308 that we have had in for service”. Next service was at 51, 458 miles on August 2018 by DS Automotives.
KPL 579W had been in storage for 18 months by the time I bought it in February 2020 and in my ownership I have reshod the wheels with the correct Michelin XWX (£1200 fitted!) then sent the car to Neal Lucas for a cambelt service and replaced brake fluid and generally recommission at a cost of £4000. With opportunities to drive the car being limited in 2020 I used the car sparingly and gave the car to GTO Engineering between lockdowns to oversee the car and service the car at a further cost of £1800. August 2021 at a mileage of 51, 940 GTO Engineering replaced the wing mirrors for the correct period ones, replaced gear linkage bush, adjusted front wheel bearings, replaced driveshaft boots and front shock absorber bushes and leaking water hoses around the thermostat at a further cost of £2200.
The car comes with its original books, both keys and battery charging points plumbed in. The car remains in great condition mechanically and cosmetically and as can be seen has been maintained regardless of cost throughout its life.
I will sell the car for £85, 000
