Lot 020: 1980 FERRARI 308 GTS

Considered by many to be one of the most beautiful designs of the 1970s/80s, the Ferrari 308 GTB was launched in 1975. Although the 1973 introduced 2+2 Dino 308 GT4 had nominally taken over the mantle of its namesake, the illustrious Dino 246 GT, the 308 GTB was in many ways the true successor to this classic design. Styled by Pinninfarina (the Dino 308 was Bertone's one and only Ferrari design) the 308 GTB was built by Scaglietti on the chassis and suspension of the 246 with a brand new 2926cc dry-sump V8 engine and most notably featured distinctive sculptured air intakes on the body sides ahead of the mid-mounted engine. Initially the cars were built with some fibreglass body panels (another first for a Ferrari) but from May 1977 all-steel construction was used. Long awaited, the open-topped GTS Spyder version arrived in March 1978 with a detachable centre roof section much in the manner of a targa rather than a full convertible. It did however only enhance the 308's delectable lines and the 308 then evolved through a fuel-injected version into the 3.2 litre 328 GTB/GTS until its replacement in 1988 by the less widely admired 348. By this time the 308/328 had become Ferrari's best selling model to date, these sales including an Italian-market only 208 GTB/GTS 2-litre produced to circumvent Italian taxation laws. Also the 308 GTS became a TV star being Tom Selleck's preferred mode of transport in the US series Magnum PI. The 1980 308 GTS in white which we offer today has a red leather interior and has covered only 48,000 miles from new, this figure being guaranteed correct by the vendor and supported by a service history from new. We are told that this history confirms that the car has been serviced every 12 months regardless of mileage covered and new cam belts were fitted at 47,000 miles. Also new are we are told are the TRX tyres and sports exhaust. Described by the vendor as 'excellent' in every respect except for the interior which is described 'as new', it has a current MOT until December 2007 and tax until June 2007. Owned by one owner for 22 years this stunning looking thoroughbred Ferrari will be ready top drive away from today's sale.