1977 FERRARI

Full Description:

1977 Ferrari 308 GT4 — UK RHD — Exceptional 24-Year Restored Example

1977 | 65,568 Miles Indicated | Chiaro Rosso | Crema & Nero Leather | UK RHD | 2+2

We are delighted to offer this truly exceptional 1977 Ferrari 308 GT4, finished in stunning Chiaro Rosso, the correct period colour for a Ferrari of this year, with a beautifully presented two-tone Crema and Nero leather interior and Nero carpets.

Having dealt with Ferraris for some 30 years, we don’t use the word exceptional lightly. This is quite simply one of the finest 308 GT4s we have encountered.

Built specifically for the UK market and one of just 547 UK right-hand-drive examples, this represents a particularly special opportunity to acquire a beautifully restored example of Ferrari’s wonderfully analogue, carburettor-fed V8 2+2.

The speedometer currently displays 65,568 miles. The current owner believes this figure to be correct from the information available to him, although the mileage cannot be independently verified and is therefore not warranted.

An Extraordinary 24-Year Restoration

What sets this particular GT4 apart is the remarkable story behind its restoration.

The current owner purchased the Ferrari in August 1992 and, being the owner of a professional vehicle repair garage, embarked upon what would ultimately become an exceptionally comprehensive restoration.

Rather than simply making the car presentable, it was stripped virtually to its last nut, bolt and rivet.

The restoration was finally completed in October 2016, some 24 years after the project began, and the Ferrari has covered only limited mileage since its completion.

The philosophy throughout was simple: where corrosion existed, it was dealt with properly.

Any steel showing more than mild surface corrosion which could not simply be cleaned, treated and protected was cut out. Replacement panels or fabricated sections were then obtained or produced as necessary and professionally welded into position.

The extent of the metalwork was considerable and included attention to the roof, front and rear subframe areas, engine bay, boot, firewall, inner and outer sill structures and numerous other sections of the body and structure.

Body repairs were undertaken using traditional techniques where appropriate, including lead filling.

Once repaired, the metalwork was prepared using etching primer and subsequent preparation coats before the body was refinished in Chiaro Rosso.

While the original factory paint system would not have employed a modern basecoat and clear lacquer process, the owner deliberately chose this system during the restoration to achieve the depth and gloss he wanted from the finished car.

The result speaks for itself: the GT4 has a superb depth of finish and presents beautifully.

Following completion, extensive Waxoyl protection was applied throughout box sections, internal cavities and vulnerable areas to help preserve the restoration for the future.

Engine & Gearbox

The same attention to detail extended mechanically.

The engine and gearbox were removed, stripped, inspected and rebuilt as part of the restoration.

Importantly, this was not a case of unnecessarily replacing perfectly serviceable major internal components. The lower engine components and gearbox internals were inspected and retained where appropriate, with new gaskets and seals used during reassembly.

The cylinder heads received more extensive work, including machining and attention to the valve guides as required, together with new associated gaskets, cylinder-head studs and related components.

The four Weber carburettors were completely overhauled and restored, including replating of their steel components and fixings.

The ignition system was also rebuilt and discreetly converted to electronic ignition, replacing the original points arrangement while deliberately retaining an essentially original appearance beneath the engine cover.

Even redundant original items such as the ballast resistors were retained for authenticity, while new HT leads were fitted.

The result is exactly what enthusiasts want from a 1970s Ferrari: a carburettor-fed V8 with wonderfully immediate response, induction noise and genuine mechanical character.

Suspension, Brakes & Running Gear

The suspension and braking systems were similarly comprehensively addressed during the restoration.

Work included:

* New shock absorbers

* Suspension arms and associated components overhauled

* New hub bearings

* Comprehensive braking-system overhaul

* Silicone brake fluid

* Extensive replating or replacement of nuts, bolts, washers and fixings

* Refurbishment of associated running-gear components throughout

The level of attention extends far beyond the areas immediately visible when looking around the car.

Beautifully Restored Interior

Inside, the GT4 is every bit as impressive.

The original car left the factory with its interior in essentially the same Crema and Nero colour combination seen today, although the original coverings were vinyl.

During restoration, the owner elected to have the seats, door cards, cowlings and associated trim retrimmed in leather, maintaining the original colour scheme while considerably enhancing the feel and quality of the cabin.

For the absolute concours purist this is therefore a departure from the original vinyl specification, but it has been beautifully executed and gives the interior a particularly special appearance.

The dashboard and fascia were renovated or replaced where necessary, while a complete new carpet set was fitted throughout the passenger compartment and luggage area.

The combination of Crema and Nero against the Chiaro Rosso exterior is superb.

Service History & Documentation

The original service booklet accompanies the Ferrari.

Its service stamps extend only to approximately the late 1980s. The current owner understands that the gentleman from whom he purchased the car was also involved in the motor trade and may therefore have maintained the car himself rather than routinely having the service booklet stamped, although this cannot now be verified.

The current owner has similarly maintained the Ferrari himself following the restoration.

The car received its first post-restoration service as the rebuild was completed, when the timing belts were fitted and the engine and transmission were filled with fresh lubricants.

A further engine oil and filter service was carried out circa October 2023. The precise date and mileage were not recorded, although the car has covered very little mileage since.

While the early service history is therefore relatively limited, this is balanced by a substantial collection of invoices, receipts and paperwork relating to the restoration itself, documenting the enormous quantity of parts and work invested in the Ferrari.

This documentation will accompany the car.

Ferrari Owners’ Club Valuation

Following completion of the restoration in 2016, detailed photographs and information regarding the completed car and the work undertaken were supplied to a Ferrari Owners’ Club vehicle assessor.

On the basis of the photographs and detailed description supplied, the car received a documented valuation at that time of £75,000+.

For complete transparency, this was a remote assessment rather than a physical inspection of the vehicle.

Cambelts & Maintenance

The Ferrari is now due its scheduled cambelt replacement.

Rather than suggesting that this work has already been completed, or automatically incorporating it into the advertised specification, the position can be discussed with a prospective purchaser as part of the sale.

The current owner is capable of undertaking the work if required, while alternative arrangements can also be discussed depending upon the purchaser’s preference and the final agreed terms of sale.

16-Inch Wheels & Original 14-Inch Wheels

The Ferrari is currently fitted with 16-inch wheels, which in the owner’s opinion particularly suit the proportions of the GT4.

These are shod with Pirelli P7 tyres, fitted shortly after completion of the restoration and having covered very limited mileage.

Importantly, the 16-inch wheel and tyre arrangement is referenced within the Ferrari parts documentation as a period factory option for the model.

The owner also retains the car’s original 14-inch wheels, which have themselves been restored and present beautifully.

Given that these wheels are approaching 50 years old, the owner elected to preserve them rather than use them routinely on the road.

The restored original 14-inch wheels are available to the purchaser by separate negotiation.

Additional Parts, Workshop Manual & Parts Manual

The owner has also accumulated a useful selection of additional parts over his long ownership of the Ferrari, including a mixture of genuine Ferrari components, aftermarket items and general sundry parts.

These do not automatically form part of the vehicle sale but can be made available to the purchaser by separate negotiation if required.

Also available separately are:

* A genuine original Ferrari parts manual

* An original Ferrari workshop manual

* Various genuine and aftermarket spare components

* The restored original 14-inch wheels

For an enthusiast intending to retain and maintain the GT4 over the long term, these could make worthwhile additions to the car.

A Very Special 308 GT4

The Bertone-designed 308 GT4 occupies an increasingly important place in Ferrari history.

Introduced at a time when Ferrari was moving its mid-engined road cars into a new generation, its angular Marcello Gandini-designed body represented a dramatic departure from what had gone before.

Beneath it sits one of Ferrari’s great drivetrains: the carburettor-fed mid-mounted V8 coupled to a five-speed manual gearbox.

Combine this with wonderfully compact proportions, unassisted controls and genuine 2+2 practicality and the result is one of the most usable and engaging classic Ferraris of its generation.

Only 547 right-hand-drive examples were produced for the UK market, making good UK cars increasingly difficult to find.

Cars which have remained with the same enthusiastic owner since the early 1990s and undergone a restoration of this magnitude are considerably rarer still.

There is also something refreshing about the story of this particular Ferrari.

This was not a commercial restoration undertaken simply to prepare a car for resale. It was the long-term project of a motor-trade professional who owned the car for decades and restored it to a standard that satisfied him personally.

That distinction is apparent throughout.

Having dealt with Ferraris for approximately 30 years, we can confidently say that this is one of the very best 308 GT4s we have encountered.

There are simply too many individual elements of the restoration to adequately describe in an advertisement. The extent and quality of the work really need to be seen first-hand to be fully appreciated.

Specification & Highlights

1977 Ferrari 308 GT4

* UK-supplied right-hand drive

* One of only 547 UK RHD examples

* 65,568 miles indicated — not warranted

* Chiaro Rosso coachwork

* Crema & Nero leather interior

* Nero carpets

* Genuine 2+2 seating

* Carburettor-fed Ferrari V8

* Four Weber carburettors

* Five-speed manual gearbox

* Current ownership since August 1992

* Extraordinary 24-year restoration

* Restoration completed October 2016

* Engine and gearbox stripped, inspected and rebuilt

* Cylinder heads machined and overhauled

* Carburettors fully restored

* Discreet electronic ignition conversion

* Extensive structural and body restoration

* Corroded steel removed rather than concealed

* Extensive Waxoyl cavity protection

* Suspension comprehensively overhauled

* Braking system overhauled

* Beautifully restored leather interior

* Large collection of restoration invoices and paperwork

* Original service booklet

* Engine oil and filter changed circa October 2023

* Ferrari Owners’ Club remote assessment

* Documented £75,000+ valuation following restoration in 2016

* Cambelt replacement now due and available to discuss as part of the sale

* 16-inch wheels with Pirelli P7 tyres

* Restored original 14-inch wheels available separately

* Original Ferrari parts manual available separately

* Original Ferrari workshop manual available separately

* Selection of additional parts available by separate negotiation

An exceptionally rare opportunity to acquire a beautifully restored, UK right-hand-drive Ferrari 308 GT4 with 34 years in its current ownership and a quite remarkable restoration history.

Viewing is very highly recommended and welcomed.

Extensive photographs, restoration documentation and further details are available upon request.

Please Note:

The above Specification is as accurate as we can establish,

but it is ultimately the responsibility of the Purchaser to

check the details of the vehicle to their satisfaction before

buying. Hamilton Gray’s are Not Responsible ‘Post Sale’

Additional Information:

We have the V5 logbook and will look after your cherished transfer with the DVLA if you own a cherished plate.

Any inspection is welcome and viewings are highly recommended at our indoor showroom. We are based in Loughborough, Leicestershire which is just 5 minutes drive from Junction 23 of the M1.

We accept all major debit or credit cards and finance is available, subject to status.

Legal Disclaimer: Hamilton Gray’s Ltd make every effort to ensure that information contained in their adverts is accurate and complete, however, errors and omissions may occur from time to time and we are unable to guarantee the accuracy of said information, and therefore cannot be held liable for any reliance which you may place upon it.