Lot 341: 1978 Ferrari 308GTB Coupé

Ferrari’s line of highly successful V8-engined road cars began with the 308GT4 of 1973. Originally badged as a Dino, the all-new 308GT4 2+2 superseded the preceding Dino V6. The newcomer’s wedge-shaped styling - by Bertone rather than the customary Pininfarina - was not universally well received, but the performance of the amidships-mounted, double-overhead-camshaft, 3-liter V8 certainly was, the latter’s 236bhp proving sufficient to propel the 308GT4 to over 150mph.

Introduced at the Paris Salon in 1975, the stunningly beautiful 308GTB - Ferrari’s second V8-engined road car - marked a return to Pininfarina styling following the Bertone-designed 308GT4. Badged as a ‘proper’ Ferrari rather than a Dino, the newcomer had changed little mechanically apart from a reduction in both wheelbase and weight, retaining its predecessor’s underpinnings and transversely mounted 3-liter quad-cam engine that now featured dry-sump lubrication. In road tune this superbly engineered power unit produced 255bhp, an output good enough to propel the 308GTB to a top speed of 150mph. Produced initially with glassfiber bodywork - the first time this material had been used for a production Ferrari - the Scaglietti-built 308 used steel after April 1977, while further developments included the introduction of an open-top GTS version with Targa-style removable roof, the adoption of Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection (1980) and, finally, revised cylinder heads with four valves per cylinder (1982). An exhilarating driver’s car and a Ferrari purist’s delight, the 308GTB and its many derivatives proved a huge commercial success for Maranello with over 12,000 sold.

The current owner acquired this US-supplied Ferrari 308GTB in the summer of 2005, trading his 355 Spyder in exchange. The car is believed to have had two previous owners, while the odometer reading currently stands at circa 39,000 miles. It is reported as in original condition and has been serviced by IFS in recent years. The car comes complete with tool kit, owner’s wallet, assorted service records and Certificate of Title.