1983 Ferrari 308 GTSi

Details

The Ferrari 308 GTB was introduced at the 1975 Paris Motor Show, essentially to replace the 246 Dino GT. The car was designed to fit between the top of the range 365 GT/4 Berlinetta Boxer and the 308 GT/4. The car was released to critical acclaim and its sweeping Pininfarina design was admired by everyone who laid eyes on it.

Originally the car was manufactured with a glass reinforced plastic (fibreglass) body to keep the weight down and the car was powered by a three litre V8 engine with a dry sump. Only circa 800 fibreglass cars were built before Ferrari reverted to a more conventional steel body construction in 1977. Most markets also reverted to having a wet sump engine. In 1977 Ferrari introduced the 308 GTS, which was essentially the same car with a targa roof. The car was made famous through its appearance in the TV show Magnum PI. The model evolved into the 308 GTBi / 308 GTSi in 1980 when Bosch K-Jetronic mechanical fuel injection replaced the traditional Weber carburettors. Two years later the four valves per cylinder “Quattrovalvole” or “QV” was introduced. The 308 was an incredible success and circa 12,000 cars were built from 1975 to 1985 before the 328 was introduced.

We are delighted to offer a wonderful example of Pininfarina’s classic, timeless Ferrari 308 GTB / GTS. This particular example is a 1983 308 GTSi and thus one of the first series of fuel injected cars. It was delivered new by Lance Dixon Ferrari in Melbourne, Australia on the 23^rd March 1983 and finished in azzuro blue (Salchi paint code 633-8-005).

The car’s first owner lived in Cooma in NSW and kept the car until July 1986 when it was sold into Adelaide. It remained in Adelaide for almost twenty years and it was well known in the Ferrari Club in South Australia passing through a few different owners before being sold into Melbourne in July 2005. At the time of sale the mileage was c 95,000km. The car was then sold to a good friend of the current owner in September 2010 who lived in the Byron Bay hinterland. The car has been sparingly used over the last ten years and the mileage today is 113,157 km.

It’s hard to believe these fuel injected 308’s are now almost 35 years old and the condition of this particular example certainly belies the car’s age. Today the car is presented in its original colour of azzuro blue which is complimented nicely by its blue leather interior with dark blue carpets. This is just a fabulous colour scheme for the car and certainly a stand out from the ubiquitous red cars at any Ferrari event!

The overall condition of this car is excellent. It is just a lovely, original and unmolested example. The car looks to have had a repaint at some stage and aside from the odd stone chip or mark the paint is excellent. Similarly all of the external trim, lenses and glass are in very good condition. The cabin is a lovely place to be and all of the leather is in excellent condition with no rips or tears. The carpet shows some wear but it is OK. All of the instruments are in good condition with the exception of the clock which has fogged up. Turn the key and the V8 engine starts easily and it settles into a smooth idle. Out on the open road the car performs as one would expect. It pulls strongly through the rev range and once warm the gear change is smooth and precise. The car handles really well and it stops as it should.

This car has clearly been cherished and well cared for throughout its life. The service book and service receipts confirm this car has been regularly maintained, initially by Ferrari and later classic Ferrari specialists. It’s the little things on a car that one can see to really tell its story. On this car the rear boot cover zipper is intact, the front compartment is clean and undamaged (the plastic covers often crack) and everything just ‘feels right’.

This 308 GTSi has just had a major service completed by a Ferrari specialist here in Brisbane and it is ready for its new owner to drive and enjoy.

The car has a full set of books (including the warranty card / service book) in the correct and original Ferrari pouch, jack kit and a spare set of keys. Unfortunately the tool kit is missing but a replacement can be easily sourced.

Listed price AUD $139,950