Lot 035: 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS

Introduced at the September 1985 Frankfurt Motor Show the Ferrari 328 shot straight to the top of the 'junior supercar' league. Borrowed from the preceding 308, its tubular-steel chassis was equipped with coil-over double-wishbone independent suspension, front / rear anti-roll bars and potent disc brakes. Though, the adoption of a 288 GTO-specification steering rack brought notably sharper responses. Transversely mid-mounted, the newcomer's Tipo 105CB 'quad-cam' 32-valve V8 displaced 3185cc. Credited with developing 270bhp and 224lbft of torque, it was allied to five-speed manual transmission and gave suitably authoritative performance (0-60mph: 5.5 seconds / 158mph). Styled by Pininfarina, the 328 retained the same iconic silhouette as its forebear but added a larger 'egg crate' grille, new bumpers and reworked bonnet / boot lids etc. Available in both GTB (berlinetta) and GTS (spider) guises, the Ferrari also benefited from a revamped interior - again inspired by the 288 GTO - complete with improved switchgear, redesigned centre console and more cosseting seats. Beloved by the press and public alike, the 328 remained in production until 1989 by which time just 542 GTSs are thought to have been UK supplied. Finished in Rosso Corsa with light tan leather upholstery, this particular example is variously described by the vendor as being in "sound / original" (engine, five-speed manual gearbox), "working" (electrical equipment), "unmarked" (interior trim) or "excellent" (chassis, bodywork, paintwork, wheels / tyres) condition. Reportedly "supplied new by Maranello Concessionaires to its first owner in Jersey", the GTS is said to have covered just 37,000 miles from new (a figure apparently substantiated by its retention of "every MOT certificate"). Understood to have been "a former Ferrari Owners' Club concours entrant", the two-seater also boasts "a sports exhaust, good service history and its original bill of sale".