1981 Ferrari 308 GTS

Highlights

• Mid-mounted V8, manual
• Targa roof
• Huge history, in multiple large files
• Extensively serviced and rebuilt
• Fully resprayed

Overview

If you were a Hawaiian private investigator, why wouldn't you choose a bright red Ferrari 308 to go about your undercover work? Such was the choice for the classic 80s TV detective Thomas Magnum, with the suitably un-discreet licence plate “ROBIN 1”. So if you want to relive this sun-kissed lifestyle, you can open up the targa roof and drive off into the sunset.

This particular 308 has clearly been well cared for, and comes with an entire archive full of paperwork detailing its restoration and servicing work. This is presented in three large, meticulously organised folders, with one dedicated solely to documenting the full respray carried out in 2009. There are many invoices on file for servicing and mechanical work, including a good number of cambelt changes in recent years, as well as several more extensive mechanical rebuilds.

So if you’re looking for a 308 that has led a cosseted life, being used for touring the UK and Europe and not covering much more than a couple of thousand miles each year, then this is the car for you. With the open roof, V8 soundtrack and gated shifter, you can enjoy the utter pleasure of driving a 308 GTS in all its glory.

History and documentation

• Registered 10 Mar 1981
• Three large ring binders containing records of the 2009 respray, and service history (x2)
• There are huge numbers of service invoices on file for major servicing
• Extensive rebuild work carried out in 1989-91, with invoices on file
• Ordered via Maranello Concessionaires Limited on 9 Jun 1980
• Copy of original sales invoice totalling £18,357.57, including £6 worth of petrol
• Collection of invoices and old MOT certificates
• Two keys
• Current MOT with no advisories expires 25 Jul 2025
• V5 present in owner’s name
• Aftermarket tracker and immobiliser fitted
• The HPI check is clear; it does show another vehicle with the same VIN (back when they were shorter and not unique to each vehicle) was scrapped but HPI have confirmed, in writing, that this does not relate to this car
• Right-hand drive
• London ULEZ exempt
• The seller tells us that the car has been used for touring in the UK and Europe, averaging 2,500 miles per year

Interior

• Black carpets and black leather upholstery throughout
• All the switchgear is reassuringly mechanical and tactile
• Gated gear shift
• Chrome plating to the switches and heater controls
• The leather upholstery is in generally very good condition
• A little light creasing to the driver’s seat
• Manual seat adjustment
• Red Ferrari branded footwell carpets
• The door cards are free from scuffs and scrapes
• Leather trimmed thin-rimmed steering wheel
• Heater and air conditioning controls on the centre console, though the air conditioning unit was removed during the refurbishment and not reinstalled. It will be provided with the car - the current owner never felt the need for it as he’s used it only during the summer months with the roof off
• The dashboard is clean and tidy
• Analogue instruments
• Panasonic stereo cassette player
• Targa roof panels can be stored behind the seats
• There is a small luggage compartment behind the engine, which has been re-carpeted
• This contains a leather tool roll with scissor jack and wheel brace
• Full size spare wheel stowed at the front under the bonnet

Exterior

• Powerful, unmissable Ferrari road presence
• Finished in red with black trim
• There is an entire ring binder full of photographs detailing the car’s respray in 2009
• Flamboyantly curvaceous wings
• The paint remains in good condition throughout, with almost no significant scratches or stonechips
• The body panels appear to be well fitted
• 16-inch, five-spoke alloy wheels
• Matching set of Cinturato P7 tyres, recently fitted
• The wheels are excellent with no obvious kerb damage
• Badges present front and rear, including chromed prancing horses
• Pop-up headlights
• Sizeable rear light clusters
• Removable targa roof panels

Mechanical

• 2,926 cc V8 engine
• Mid-mounted transverse
• Rated at 252 bhp at 6,600 rpm
• Five-speed manual, gated shifter
• Rear-wheel drive
• The engine bay looks clean and tidy
• The most recent service was carried out in Aug 2023, including replacing the clutch and crankshaft rear oil seal, as well as an oil change
• In Nov 2022 the cambelt was replaced, along with new tensioner rollers, alternator, compressor, and coolant
• In Sep 2021 the car received a major suspension rebuild including wishbones, steering rack and track rod ends
• The cambelt and water pump were replaced in Jul 2019, along with the front brake callipers and brake fluid
• In Dec 2016 all eight carburettors were stripped, ultrasonically cleaned, and rebuilt
• There are many other invoices on file for work carried out, including regular oil changes and cambelt changes
• There are several invoices on file totalling many thousands of pounds in 1989-91 which included a huge amount of work stripping and rebuilding many suspension components, body panels, and mechanical components, undertaken by Modena Ferrari dealers

Summary

It’s worth sitting down with a cup of tea and going through the paperwork accompanying this car, which shows just how much care and attention has been lavished upon it. But if you don’t have time for that, you can take our word for it that this is a car which has been treated to a huge amount of servicing and restoration throughout its life.

For many of a certain age, this is the quintessential classic Ferrari, helped by its aforementioned prominent starring role on TV. But whether or not you were a fan of the moustachioed detective, this beautiful V8-powered is a stunning machine that’s sure to draw admiring looks wherever it goes.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Hexham, Northumberland.