﹒Original specification

﹒Carburettor and dry sump model 

﹒Extensive history

The Ferrari 308 was introduced at the Paris Motor Show in 1975. This new, angular machine was billed as being the replacement for the then ageing Dino. Styled by Pininfarina, the 308 was made available as a targa roof GTS model, and also as a fixed roof GTB model, as per the car available for auction here. 

The 308, while a replacement for the Dino, actually used a similar tubular steel chassis. But given the Dino’s handling and on road manners, why break the mould? What Ferrari needed was a car with a more contemporary look, and that’s what Pininfarina delivered. The 308 was a sharp, purposeful looking machine that looked to be going 100mph when it was standing still. Low, wide and with imposing side vents, it was every bit a ‘proper’ Ferrari. 

Power came from a dry-sump (in Europe), carburettor fuelled, quad-cam V8 that was mid-mounted and mated to a transaxle transmission assembly then went on to deliver power to the rear wheels via five gears. The gearbox itself was of a dogleg design, as per the sporty nature of the car, and fed power to a clutch-type limited slip differential. 

Lauded as an impressive performer thanks to over 250bhp, the 308 would go on to be one of the most well recognised cars in the world, and one that Ferrari fans are still desperate to get their hands on today, over forty years later.

Built in late 1977, this Ferrari 308 is one of the first of its kind built with a steel body opposed to the fibreglass of the early cars. It was supplied to its first and only one proper owner who resided in the south of France at the time. This of course meant the 308 was built to European specification, meaning a dry-sump setup and more power than export models in the form of 252bhp. 

The 308’s early years were spent in France and then Barcelona. After its time in Spain, the car was put into careful storage, where it would reside for some seventeen years. This would account for the incredibly low mileage of just 39,440km, or in UK terms, a mere 24,506 miles.

Its slumber came to an end in 2008, when it was brought to the U.K. and has been a registered resident ever since. Throughout its life, it has been maintained regardless of cost and to a regular schedule (apart from the years in storage, of course) and as such, stands today in rude health, ready for a new owner and new adventures. 

The car is largely original and apart from evidence of some remedial works over the years, is a genuine survivor car. It has some life to it, some evidence of life and of being enjoyed. Reassuring qualities for a car like this to have. It’s a car that encourages you to use and enjoy it, not hide it away and polish it to death. 

Since parting with the first, longstanding owner, this Ferrari has been acquired by two individuals, though both are in the motor trade, and as such, the logbook is still in the original owner’s name, meaning the second official owner will be whoever is lucky enough to secure the winning bid. 

There is plenty here to back up the Ferrari’s high-end, well cared for life. The starting point is the original Ferrari book pack, complete with natty Italian dealer network book. There is also an owner’s manual along with a service book, which has the receipts stubs in places for services from new up to the point the car was put into storage in the 1980s. 

There is a brace of paperwork supporting the 308’s time in Monaco, including receipts for service works and wear and tear items. And while all in French, it does all bear the original owner’s name and as such, it serves to authenticate the movements of the car over the years. 

There is of course then a gap in the paperwork, as the car was in storage for the aforementioned seventeen years. However, don’t fret about paperwork pertaining to the 308’s return to the road. There is documentation to support the UK registration, and there is paperwork to show service works and past MOTs since. 

The most important paperwork relates to the car’s most recent history. In October of 2019, the 308 was sent to Kent High Performance Cars where it was given a significant overhaul. New timing belts, new suspension bushes, new ignition components, fuel lines, cooling system parts, engine mounts and much more was carried out. The all important carburettors were also adjusted, tuned and set. The car was also fitted with a set of period correct Pirelli rubber the same year. 

Well-appointed but not over the top, the black leather interior of this 308 is in excellent order. As you’d expect for a car of this age, the leather has been broken in, but there is no damage, no splits and while there is some faint wear to be observed, there is nothing of concern nor anything that encroaches on the comfort front. The leather would perhaps benefit from a clean and feed, but that’s more a matter of preservation than of urgency. 

The carpets are all in good order, as is the dashboard, which has no cracking of peeling. The dials on the dash are all bright, clear, and from what we could see, functional. As are the switches in the lower centre console (the electric antenna switch doesn’t seem to do anything, but the car doesn’t have a radio, which may explain it). The electric windows, while not the most urgent, function as they should. The gear shifter with the all important ‘H’ pattern gate is in good order, as is the gorgeous three-spoke steering wheel with leather trim. 

Elsewhere, the carpets are all present, correct and free from damage. The simple, solid black door cards are in good order, as is the headlining, which has no damage to be seen, though may benefit from a deep clean. All the glass is in good condition and free from scratches and chips. It’s a very, very pleasant place to be and is even more spacious than you might expect - our 6ft 3 photographer was able to get comfortable and drive the car with ease.

Arguably one of the most recognisable Ferrari shapes, this 308 GTB still cuts a dash today. Long, low and wide, it’s a feast for the eyes from bumper to bumper. And as said eyes make their way over the lines of the Pininfarina-styled steel body, there is very little to raise concern. The paint is in excellent order, there is zero sign of any corrosion and the car sits level. 

Of course, this is a survivor from 1977, so there are some minor imperfections to be aware of. There are some imperfections in the black coatings on the door window frames, and there are some slight spider cracks in the engine cover, but nothing of any significance and certainly nothing that stands out. 

Looking at the doors, there is no sign of corrosion either on the external panels or on the inward facing shut sections. The sills are in good order, as are the A pillars. There may have been some remedial works to the B pillars in the past, as the paint around the engine cover latch looks a little too fresh for 1977, but you decide. There is also a lack of uniformity on the panel infels where the top of the C pillar meets the body, but this is a detailing issue rather than anything structural - you can see this in the pictures. 

Underneath, everything is clean and looks solid and free from any extensive repair work. It’s all pleasingly original looking and most importantly, solid. The front end under the bumper still has the factory body-coloured stone chip coating, and the three-bar grille is present and correct, though the fins on the nearside edge would benefit from some realignment. It’s no concours entrant, but that’s fine, this is a car that has been driven and enjoyed, which is how it should be. 

Finally, the 14 alloy wheels are all in presentable condition and all wear recently fitted Pirelli rubber. You could leave them as is, though there is some bubbling under the paint in some of the centre sections and some of the prancing horse centre caps have fogged over. Plus, one rear wheel has an ever so slight bend in the outer rim, but as you can see from the pictures, you really have to look for it. Take a step back though, and they all present well and in no way detract from the overall look and impact of the car.

Given all the service work that was carried out last year, the mechanics are in excellent health. The 2.9 litre quad-cam F106 AB V8 is a small but punchy unit, and thanks to four twin-choke Weber 40DCNF carbs, it sounds glorious as it gulps in volumes of fuel and air. It revs freely and without any labouring, nor any spluttering. When the recent works were carried out, they were done well. The engine sounds strong and incredibly healthy. And don’t forget, it’s got new belts, new fuel lines, new engine mounts and even a cooling system overhaul including a new header tank. And we can attest for the car’s cooling, as it was happily idling as we were photographing it. 

The transmission works well and engages gears with ease, and yes, the H pattern shifter is a delight to use! So is the clutch, which is surprisingly light given the performance nature of this car. 

Then there are the brakes. The callipers have recently been rebuilt, and as such, the brakes perform as they should. There is a bit of penal action involved to get them to perform at their best, but that’s symptomatic of old cars. They brake the car well, and it pulls up straight and true with no juddering or vibration through the pedal or steering wheel. 

On that note, the steering is direct if somewhat heavy given there is no power assistance. However, on the move it lightens up and gives the driver plenty of feedback along with a real sense of connection with what's going on at the wheels. Arguably the most important human/car interface, the steering doesn’t disappoint.

The Ferrari 308GTB presents, as you can see from the pictures, exceptionally well. It’s a car that still has the wow factor in spades, but it’s not so pampered or pristine that you would be scared to use it. This is a 308GTB you can take out and press on in, a car through which you can extract every drop of the Ferrari experience. 

Too many of these cars are over restored, and as such, they have become China dolls, too delicate for their intended purpose. That’s not the case here. This car has been both meticulously looked after, but also enjoyed. It has lived a long life with a caring owner who has spared no expense in this car’s upkeep. When in use, it wanted for nothing, and when stored away, it was kept warm and dry in readiness for its next chapter. And that chapter could be with you. This is, in many respects, the perfect Ferrari. One that still turns heads, but one that can still be given a damn good spanking when the mood takes you. This, make no mistake, is a Ferrari for the driver.


Notice to bidders