Lot 1057: 1978 Ferrari 308GTS Targa 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 Originally badged as a Dino, the all-new 308GT4 2+2 superseded the preceding Dino V6.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-litre 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.

This 308GTS benefits from $10,000 worth of expenditure over the past year on refurbishment that has included new paint, hoses, timing belts, catalytic converters and a carburetor overhaul.