The first of Ferrari’s family of 308 cars arrived in 1975 and continued in one form or another through 1985. The model advanced Ferrari’s appeal downstream, allowing the company to address a less-than-elite population. The aim at a broader market was assisted when the 308 was adopted as Tom Selleck’s daily driver for the television series Magnum P.I. Several variants were produced during the 308’s run, inevitably generating favorites among collectors. The early Vetroresinas command high prices for their fiberglass bodywork and splendid performance; an offshoot – the lightweight 208s with smaller displacement to escape Italian tax – have also gathered fans. This 1985 Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole, offered here on eBay, also sits near the top of the stack in terms of collectability, which is reflected in the asking price of $94,500. The four-valve configuration was a solution to shrinking horsepower as Ferrari coped with US emissions regulations: the fuel-injected GTBi/GTSi cars rolled with 200 hp, while the quattrovalvole boosted that to 230. This car is located in Campbell, California, was sold new there, and has every iota of relevant paperwork including service records and its manual in the pouch.
The 90°, 3.0-liter V8 is mounted transversely in the rear. With four belt-driven camshafts, four valves per cylinder, Bosch K-Jetronic injection, and a compression ratio of 9.2:1, this was an exceptionally sophisticated engine at its price point. The mechanical advantages of the 308 also included its tube-steel frame, disc brakes and independent suspension all around, and a five-speed manual gearbox. This example has been meticulously maintained, and its odometer reads just 57,000 miles – it’s easy to believe that’s total since new.
The tan leather upholstery is in decent condition, the rugs are clean, and the trunk is pristine. (Want to have some fun? Change the battery in this thing: lift out the spare, and drag the battery from its cave slung below the car, without damaging those wide fenders – or your back!) The owner is using a DashMat – either to protect the top surface from the sunny California weather, or to hide an issue. The black satin-finish three spoke wheel and a shift lever operating through a gate boost the sporty sensation. A tool kit is with the car, hopefully complete.
The body was designed by Pininfarina, with a few alterations to the original 308 to accommodate the new mechanical configuration and distinguish it from prior models. The targa top remained the same, and US-delivery cars still were burdened by heavy rubber bumpers. In the front, though, a louvered panel in the hood and a larger radiator grille (effectively hidden by the bumper) augmented cooling. This car’s condition, known and documented history, and originality adds a premium to its price. That said, a prospective buyer can pay a lot more for this model – Hagerty pins a $107k value on a “good” example. Have you ever owned a Ferrari? What did you think of the experience?
Yes i owned a Ferrari, buying the car is the easy part. The never ending $$ is not good unless you have big bucks. Had my fun and did many car shows, but sold it well my head was still above water.
I am only 6‘2“ tall and feel extremely cramped in a 308. Starting with the 360 and future Ferrari’s, this is not the case. I’ve always thought the 308 is a small car and has cramp quarters.
S = no. B = better.
Magnum P.I. one of the best intros in TV 📺
Magnum P I era car!!
These cars are very tight. Tighter even than a Corvette.
Tom Selleck is 6’4″ tall. They had to remove the seat padding so he could fit in it. Even then his head would stick up past the top of the windshield.
Being on the earlier end of Gen X I remember these cars fondly. As a teenager who, before I discovered how much I like the ladies, dreamt of cars and boats this was the one I wanted. Every now and then I think I could afford one. That passes quickly when I add up the annual maintenance one of these cars requires. The QV not as much as the carbed versions but still plenty of engine out maintenance. I’m out.
Routine belt service for these cars can be done with the engine remaining in-situ, via a removable shroud in the right rear wheel well.
Engine-out routine maintenance started with the 348 and Mondial t, due to their switch to a longitudinal engine with transverse gearbox, a configuration which continued through Ferrari’s later V8 models.
Nice looking car that would get smoked by a Chrysler mini van.
very nice. love the dark red
At the Millington racetrack in Millington Tennessee Guys would sometimes race car for car. This guy had a 308 GTSI he’d swap in a V12. He lost his Ferrari to a guy driving a Grand National GNx. People stood around shaking their heads as he coughed up the keys.That was my second experience at a race track. My first was at Long Beach CA With my crazy brother in-law.
I work in mostly European car service now for about 30 years. Walking underneath an F car one day I stopped & took it all in, of course from the underside & it all seemed slapped together, which it was. Ferrari is all about the power, that, is not slapped together.
Beautiful car. Out of my league total cost of ownership. Just very nice to look at. (and drool)
I always liked the look of these the most of any Ferrari, but as Mark so succinctly put it, they’re not fast. Sure, the engine (when it’s not torn apart for one reason or another) sounds nice, but almost any V6 product (any many 4 cyl) today would leave it in the dust. While some would say, that’s not the point, I would say it is. A Ferrari should be as fast as it looks, and this one isn’t. Plus, I buy cars to play with, not worry about. Cheap and fun beats expensive and unreliable, especially when cheap is faster.
Yes, 308s are not all that fast and they are expensive to maintain. However, they deserve to be defended by it being pointed out that apart from having nice looks, owning a Ferrari is about owning one of the decadent/nicer things in life. It is like owning a Renoir or Picasso…you are the owner of something quite special that other mere mortals only aspire to, dream about, and just TALK about…and don’t forget, like a Renoir or Picasso painting, your well-looked-after Ferrari is a good investment.
I think in the mid eighties it would beat a K car….lol
fast/slo, low/hi maintenence, comfort, these are not on the scale
if owning/contemplating owning – a car like this.
eBay says that this listing sold on Sat, May 31 at 6:05 PM. But the seller has relisted this item
https://www.ebay.com/itm/226811760336
This listing was ended by the seller on Fri, Jun 13 at 10:56 AM because there was an error in the listing.