1981 Ferrari 308 GTBi                                Regis...

Estimate

£25,000 - £30,000

1981 Ferrari 308 GTBi                               

Registration Number: XBC 203X
Chassis Number: ZFFHA01C000038109
Recorded Mileage: 27,490 miles

- Low mileage, one of only 128 RHD examples
- In current ownership for 35 years
- Converted to carburettor set-up (original injection system included)

Enzo Ferrari’s son, Alfredino “Dino” Ferrari, had a promising career as an engineer and businessman and was poised to take over his father’s motoring empire, continuing the Ferrari legacy through the next generation. Dino gained experience working alongside some of the greatest engineers in history, such as Vittorio Jano. He is credited with the concept of the big-bore 4-cylinder 750 Monza and convincing his father of the merits of a compact V6. Sadly, he became ill and passed away at the age of twenty-four but his legacy lived on in the form of the Dino 246GT and the unbroken line of mid-engined V8 cars that continue today. Dino’s 2.4 litre twin-overhead cam V6 was a jewel of an engine. It was fitted to the first mid-engine regular production Ferrari and became the lifeblood of the brand for the next 45 years.

The successor to the Dino, the mighty 308, gained two cylinders and earned a Ferrari badge. The 308 GTB/GTS became the company’s most successful model to date, selling more than 12,000 examples over a 10 year production span. As the volume leader for so many years, the 308 was often toward the bottom of the collectability scale and many suffered from poor maintenance. Properly maintained 308’s are now highly sought-after and the model is enjoying a well-deserved rise in collectability.

Originally registered in October 1981 to its first UK owner, by 1989 this 308 GTBi was in stock with dealer Graypaul prior to being acquired by our vendor, an Italian classic car enthusiast. After a few years' use our vendor became frustrated with the original injection system and so had it removed and the car retrofitted with a carburetor setup using genuine Ferrari components. Further work included a fitting replacement camshaft, inlet manifold, distributor and ignition packs, upgraded oil pump pick up, and twin Bendix Red Top fuel pumps. The original injection components are included should the new owner wish to reinstate these in future. 

Due to an expanded collection the Ferrari has been dry stored over the recent years, during which time the engine was rebuilt with all new bearings, gaskets, belts, fuel hoses, and is currently being run in. In the last two years the suspension has been rebuilt, the braking system overhauled including brake calipers and driveshaft bellows, and the electric window motors rebuilt.

Our vendor advises us that the 308 will now benefit from paintwork attention, in particular there is rust evident at the bottom of each door. However the external and interior trim are well preserved and in very good order. The electrical system is said to work correctly, we understand though the air conditioning system will however require re-gassing following the restoration of the front radiators.

Offered complete with a spare set of original wheels, and finished in the classic period colour scheme of Rosso Corsa with a crema leather interior, with a little further cosmetic attention we are sure this classic 80s Ferrari will prove to be a fine addition to any classic car collection.