Highlights

‘Sweet spot’ 1979 steel-bodied, carburettor-fed, dry-sump model
Highly presented and well-documented car in classic Rosso Corsa with Nero leather
One of only UK-market 211 RHD steel-bodied, carburetted 308 GTBs
Desirable dry-sump engine with factory-fitted air conditioning
High-quality respray in 2016 in original colour
2021 suspension overhaul including seals, Koni shocks, springs, bushes and bearings
Cambelts, a/c compressor and brake overhaul in 2021
Upgraded A/C compressor in 2021
Gearbox service in May 2026
Engine service and cambelt change in July 2026
35,612 miles documented from new
Supplied with original handbooks, manuals tool roll and car jack
Well-documented service history with records from 500 miles to present
2,381-mile trip to Maranello in June 2026 without issue
Voluntary MOT valid to October 2026 with no advisories

The Appeal

The 308 is where Ferrari came of age. The car kick-started the firm’s current hegemony, with each subsequent mid-engined model merely refining its template. Leonardo Fiorvanti’s achingly beautiful sharknose design, that sonorous Dino V8 and the sort of charisma that the 911 could only dream of all explain why the 308 is one of the most desirable and sought-after classics ever built.

For serious collectors who tend to take a deeper dive into the model’s long run, this Rosso Corsa car is the ‘sweet spot.’ 1979 was the last year of the carburettor-fed models, those twin 40DCNF Webers providing driving engagement and a soundtrack largely lost with the move to fuel injection. It is also one of only 211 RHD steel-bodied 308GTBs and as a UK-market car, is fitted with the dry sump that lowers the centre of gravity and improves the handling. That it is classically finished in Rosso Corsas with Nero leather and fitted with rare factory air conditioning are added bonuses.

This car is believed to be one of only 121 remaining UK-market RHD examples. Its history is carefully documented below and supports the low displayed mileage of a shade over 35,612 miles. Throughout its life, it has been carefully maintained by main dealers and specialists, as detailed below. The car's service history is well documented from its 500-mile check at Maranello Ferrari in 1980 through to its most recent cam belt change at Keys Motorsport Silverstone in July 2026, with work carried out by recognised specialists throughout. A comprehensive recommissioning in 2021 at around 30,000 miles included a suspension refurbishment with Koni dampers, a brake system overhaul, new window regulators, a new A/C compressor, and cam belt replacement. The current keeper, who acquired the car in August 2022, has continued to maintain it to a high standard, with gearbox and engine oil services, an A/C service, and cam belts all attended to in 2026.

It is accompanied by a comprehensive documentation package: the original Ferrari service wallet containing the owner's manual and service booklet, an original Schedoni key fob, a Ferrari parts catalogue, and a Ferrari workshop manual — all reported to be in good condition. Two original 1970s advertising brochures complete the set.

The vendor describes the car as totally original and in very good condition. He tells us that there is no rust present anywhere, including the underside. A respray in Rosso Corsa was carried out in 2016. The black leather interior is said to show little sign of wear, with all switches, dials, and the gated gear change functioning as intended. As a measure of the car's mechanical fitness, it was driven from the UK to the Ferrari factory in Maranello and back in June 2026 — a round trip of 2,381 miles — reportedly without issue. A clean, voluntary MOT to October 2026 adds further reassurance for buyers.

With its condition, recent maintenance and impeccable provenance, this car is ready for its next discerning collector.

The vendor says:

“In summary, this car is a totally original as delivered 308 GTB, which comes with a comprehensive history and all of the documents you would expect to see with a car of this stature. Owned and maintained for the last 4 years by a true Ferrari enthusiast, this car will easily last for another 50 years of service, and beyond. In June 2026, the car was driven from the UK to the Ferrari factory in Maranello and back to the UK, a total distance of 2,381 miles; the car performed beautifully and did not miss a beat. The car has just completed a full service with cam belts change.”

History and Paperwork

UK-market RHD car
First registered 14th November 1979
Five registered keepers from new
Current keeper since August 2022
35,612 recorded miles reported
23,265 miles indicated on odometer
Replacement speedometer fitted at 9,077 miles with the original unit retained
Service history as documented below
Maintained by Ferrari main dealers and recognised specialists
Respray carried out in 2016
MOT exempt but voluntarily tested each year
Current MOT valid to 2nd October 2026 with no advisories
Ten years of MOT certificates on file
Original Ferrari service wallet containing owner's manual and service booklet
Original Schedoni key fob
Original Ferrari parts catalogue and workshop manual
Two original 1970s advertising brochures
Large and well organised history file containing aforementioned documents
Original Panasonic radio cassette instruction leaflet in documentation wallet

Recommissioned in 2021 at approximately 30,000 miles by AYS Engineering including:

Suspension overhaul
Brake work
Cam belts
Window regulators
A/C compressor
07/26 – 35,590 miles – Keys Motorsport Silverstone (including cam belts)
07/26 – 35,573 miles – Daventry Workshop (engine oil, filter service)
05/26 – 32,835 miles – Daventry Workshop (gearbox oil service)
11/24 – 32,403 miles – Daventry Workshop (engine oil/filter, air/fuel filter, plugs)
10/21 – 30,000 miles – AYS Engineering (as above)
08/07 – 28,318 miles – PBM Technical (engine oil/filter, cam belts, brake pads/fluid)
11/99 – 28,000 miles – Stratstone Ferrari
09/94 – 25,000 miles – Evans Halshaw Ferrari
12/91 – 22,000 miles – Evans Halshaw Ferrari
12/88 – 18,000 miles – Modena East Horsley Ferrari
07/87 – 15,000 miles – Modena East Horsley Ferrari
12/86 – 12,500 miles – Modena East Horsley Ferrari
04/85 – 9,500 miles – Greypaul Ferrari (new speedo at 9077 miles, original retained)
01/84 – 6,000 miles – Greypaul Ferrari
10/80 – 1,550 miles – Maranello Ferrari
03/80 – 500 miles – Maranello Ferrari

The vendor says:

“The iconic 308 started production in 1975; F1 legend Niki Lauda was instrumental in the design and testing of the car. Production of the carburetted 308 model ended in 1979. A total of 211 RHD steel-bodied, carburetted 308 GTB's were produced for the UK market. As of November 2024, only 121 308 GTB’s remained either taxed or on SORN in the UK; many of the SORN cars are either in museums or are not roadworthy, meaning the 308 GTB is a rare sight on UK roads.

“This Ferrari 308 GTB chassis number 29721 was manufactured by Ferrari SpA, Maranello, Italy in 1979. Delivered in Rosso Corsa with black leather seats, a 'carburettor car' with the desirable dry-sump engine and optional air-conditioning. The car comes with the original Ferrari service wallet containing the original service booklet, owner’s manual and an original as-delivered Schedoni key fob.

“The car was sold new by Reg Vardy, located in Houghton-Le-Spring, Tyne and Wear on the 14th November 1979. Transferred to the second owner on 18 January 1985 and subsequently transferred to the second owner’s son on 18th July 1987. The car appears to have been on SORN between 2004 and October 2010 as evidenced by DVLA documents, the vehicle was sparingly used between 2010 and 2016 (as evidenced by MOT history). The car was again on and off SORN between 2016 until 2021. A full service with extensive recommissioning work including brake system overhaul, new window motors, new A/C compressor and cam belt replacement was conducted in 2021 at 29,891 miles.

“The car was acquired by the current and fifth owner in August 2022 at 30,730 miles and has been MOT’d each year, the current MOT expires in October 2026.

“The cars history folder contains invoice data for all of the servicing detailed above, a number of historic registration and SORN documents, historic MOT’s and the current MOT (no advisories) expiring in October 2026.”

The Condition

Rosso Corsa paintwork following a respray in 2016
Vendor reports deep paintwork has a consistent finish
We are told that there is no rust anywhere on the car, including the underside
Underside described by vendor as clean and in similar condition to the upper body
No structural advisories on MOT
Alloy wheels reported to be in very good order as shown in photos
Alloys fitted with correct Michelin XWX tyres with matching spare
Nero black leather interior showing little sign of wear according to the vendor
All switches, dials, and controls reported to be fully functional
Original Panasonic radio cassette installed and reported to be in working order
Original jack in bag and toolkit in roll present in the rear storage compartment

The vendor says:

“The condition of the car is best described as totally original and in pristine condition. There is no rust anywhere on the car, and the paint expresses a deep Ferrari rosso red shine. The underside of the car is in a similar condition to that of the top side, clean and rust-free. The wheels are all in perfect condition, shod with Michelin XWX tyres.

“Beneath the forward panel (hood) the spare wheel is in good condition, and the car's original jack and toolkit are contained in the rear storage compartment.

“The car's black interior shows little sign of wear, and everything works as it should. The beautiful array of Ferrari switches and dials all function and exude the essence of what a historic Ferrari is all about; the interior is crowned by the gated Ferrari gear change, you can’t ask for more.

“The original Panasonic radio cassette remains installed and in full working condition and has the instruction leaflet in the owner’s documentation wallet.

“The original owner’s manual together with the Ferrari service record are in beautiful condition together with the owner’s documentation wallet. To round off the car's impressive documentation, there is also an original Ferrari parts catalogue and a Ferrari workshop manual (308GT4, which is also the 308GTB workshop manual as the cars are mechanically the same) which are both extremely rare documents. Contained within the history file are two original 1970’s advertising brochures for the marque, just the icing on the cake!”

The Mechanics

Dino 2,926cc quad-cam V8 with dry sump lubrication
Four twin-choke Weber carburettors
Five-speed gated ‘dog leg’ manual transmission
Factory-fitted air conditioning
A/c compressor upgraded 2021
A/C system serviced with vacuum leak check completed in May 2026
Suspension refurbished in 2021, including Koni shock absorbers, new springs, bushes, bearings, and seals throughout
Brake system overhauled in 2021
New window regulators fitted in 2021
Cam belts replaced in July 2026 at 35,590 miles by Keys Motorsport, Silverstone
Engine oil and filter service completed in July 2026 at 35,573 miles
Gearbox oil service completed in May 2026 at 32,835 miles
Driven from the UK to the Ferrari factory in Maranello and back in June 2026, a total of 2,381 miles, reportedly without issue
The vendor reports the car starts and drives as it should
No advisories on MOT

As we’ve described above, the ‘79 308GTB is something special amongst enthusiasts. That quartet of twin choke Webers provide the soundtrack, but it is this car’s European-specification dry sump lubrication that properly sets it apart. That arrangement enables the engine to sit lower in the chassis, which in turn improves the handling.

Beyond the desirable specification, this is a beautifully maintained car. We’ve detailed the history above, all of it undertaken by main dealers and well-regarded marque specialists. The recent attention is comprehensive. The car was recommissioned in 2021, including brake and suspension overhaul. In 2026 the cambelt was replaced again and the engine and gearbox serviced. The rare optional factory a/c system was also overhauled.

It is a mark of the car’s mechanical condition that in June 2026 the current keeper took it back to the factory, a round trip of close to 2,400 miles. We are told that it performed without fault. Added transparency is provided by the current voluntary MOT, which runs to October 2026 with no advisories.

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