When we think of restoration projects, we tend to assume there’s some rust and other bodywork issues to resolve. Perhaps the engine is tired and needs a rebuild, and the suspension is almost certainly in need of a refresh. The thing is, though, we also assume there’s a limit to what we’ll find when we open that barn or garage door – but nothing could likely prepare you for finding a car as rusty as this 1978 Ferrari 308 GT4. Can you imagine getting the tip that there’s a Ferrari waiting to be rescued, only to find out it’s this bad? This car was listed here on eBay but has since been pulled; you can still watch a full download on the Ferrari here on the Number 27 YouTube page, where the host recently visited the sad Ferrari in person.
The Ferrari 308 GT4 is a car that’s top of mind at the moment, as we recently discussed the same model with a recent Craigslist posting, here on Barn Finds. The 308 was the company’s first foray into a mid-engined V8 model, and after years of languishing as a less-than-desirable model owing to its 2+2 seating arrangement and other reasons, the 308 is finally catching on with new collectors. That said, the renewed interest in the model will not be enough to save this car, which is now only useful for offering up a small assortment of parts like the interior, where the seats still look saveable, along with the door panels, steering wheel, dash, and some trim.
How does it get this bad, where there are legitimately holes in the body? It’s hard to say. In the video above, the host calls another prominent figure in the Ferrari rescue arena who mentions how he tried to buy the car in the 90s when he was in high school, but that the seller could never track down the paperwork and the sale fell through. The Ferrari was already parked outside in an open barn twenty years ago and quite rusty, so you can only imagine how unforgiving the last few years have been. The video walk through reveals areas where the chassis is compromised as well, and the engine and transmission have already been removed to hopefully be restored and used in another car.
You can’t quite see it here, but the back screen is cracked, so even the rear glass is no good. The crazy thing is it’s almost like staring at a car accident: you can’t look away. Even stranger is that because we never see borderline exotic cars in condition like this, the 308 is beautiful in a way, as if to show us that even the legendary Ferrari isn’t immune to how nature can consume anything she likes if given the chance. I do wonder if someone already purchased this 308 to be used as an exhibit, as it seems sad to simply turn around and scrap a car that has amazingly clung to life after years of neglect. Would you attempt to preserve it for posterity’s sake?
Wow!!!!
Ditto the wow. At first I thought it was a BHCC listing.
I guess there were never any fiberglass Ferraris?
Does the UK salt &/or brine the streets in the winter?
Weren’t the early 308’s fiberglass?
Yes early 308 GTB was fibreglass.
Yes, the first 308GTB’s were part metal part fiberglass with Weber carbs. Actually, a money car of the 308 models. This GT4 was entry level and never caught on until now. Prices have skyrocketed for a nice one. The same with the Mondial model.
Gift this p.o.s to the royale family at the palace for xmas 🎄
Enzo spinning in his grave, “How a could a you do this to my fantastic automobile?” Can’t you just hear it? “Wow, it’s snowing pretty hard, we better take the Ferrari”,,like seeing an Italian super model as an old lady. Just not the same,,,
Just catching on because they are the cheapest to own. Let me rephrase that as cost to purchase. These didn’t sell as hoped and maintenance cost is crazy for the performance. Crush the poor thing.
nothing a little bondo can’t fix ;)
Yard Art
I guess rust knows no royalty. Hard to fathom someone letting this sit with no future thoughts about preservation or the car’s stature. Hopefully, this one goes to one of the Ferrari faithful for a proper rebirth.
This surely must be the most expensive Ferrari ever! It would even be expensive to turn it into yard art!
Normally for something like this, I’d stay stick an LS in it and drive, but in this case, I’m not sure it wouldn’t fly apart from the stress. I think this is a lost cause even for a Ferrari.
Pass. That’s too far gone for even yard art!
But it has lots of hard to find and valuable parts. Whoever bought it had a plan and knew what they were doing….even if it was just to launder some money.
Personally, I´ve always liked this model a lot. Probably because I tend to find Bertone more interesting than Pininfarina. But not this one. If that is the original paint, white RHD in a 70s Ferrari is very unusual.
Dirt track race it (in the bomber class!) until it breaks in half.
With a little……….Never mind.
Turn it into a Battle Car!
https://www.google.com/search?q=battle+car
How can anyone allow this to happen?
I looked up the term P O S in the dictionary and there was a picture of this car.
How long do you suppose that it sat submerged in the floodwaters?
Unfortunately, not long enough.
My Grandfather had some advice for this car – “jack up the radiator cap and run a new car under it, then get it a news radiator cap”. I’d be surprised if this car had a radiator cap to put a jack under
Another good candidate for P.Kumar ;)
Never wash your car with salt water.