Ferrari 308 GTBi 1981 - 73 000 KM

- Comprehensive service history

- Just had total service including cambeltchange and air conditioning service

- Recent (200 miles ago) full inspection by Ferrari main dealer (report available)

- New clutch just fitted

- Bodywork restored and repainted

- Always rustproofed and just had full Dinitrol re-treatment

- Mechanics in perfect condition, benefitting from regular maintenance

- Beautiful original leather seats and matching trim all in great condition

This lovely example was delivered new in the UK and first registered on 1^st September 1981 and has passed through a few owners, all of whom have used the car sparingly – total mileage is very low at 45,627 miles – and have obviously spared no expense of maintaining this 308 correctly, with regular services and cambelt changes, dictated by time as well as by mileage.

Maintained by Ferrari main dealers and specialists in the UK, this Ferrari has a comprehensive service history goingback to the early 1980s, which includes receipts for a major service 300 miles ago which included a new clutch, new cambelts, an air conditioning service in September 2023, at a cost of more than £7800.

The car rides on excellent nearly new correct Michelin TRX tyres.

This excellent 308 has all services and functions in good condition, and requires no post-purchase expenses.

The odometer reading 45,627 miles (73000kms) is warranted by the history file containing the aforementioned invoices and older MOT test certificates etc.

This Ferrari 308 GTBi is a particularly rare and well-presented example of the marque’s mid-engined 1980s sports car, benefitting from significant restorative maintenance during the previous long-term ownership. One of just 42 right-hand drive UK-market examples, presented in impressive condition, it would make a smart addition to any marque enthusiast’s garage, and a very good value entry point into the world of classic Ferrari ownership.

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The 308 GTB made its debut at the Paris and London auto shows in 1975. Built to a Pininfarina design by Scaglietti, it retained the 308 GT4′s V8. The 308 replaced the Dino 246 GT and GTS in 1975 and was updated as the 328 GTB/GTS in 1985.

The 308 has a tube frame with separate body. The engine is a V8 of a 90 degree configuration, with two belt-drive noverhead camshafts per cylinder bank. It was transversely mounted in unit with the transaxle transmission assembly, which was below and to the rear of the engine's sump. All models used a fully synchromesh 5-speed "dog-leg"manual gearbox and a clutch-type limited-slip differential. Suspension is all-independent, comprising double wishbones, coaxial coil springs and hydraulic dampers, and anti-roll bars on both axles; four wheel vented discbrakes are also fitted. Steering is unassisted rack and pinion.

The 308's body was designed byPininfarina's Leonardo Fioravanti, who had been responsible for some of Ferrari's most celebrated shapes to date such as the Daytona, the Dino and the Berlinetta Boxer. The 308 used elements of these shapes to create something very much in contrast with the angular Bertone-designed GT4.

Introduced in 1980, the GTBi’s coachwork remained largely unchanged with respect to the 308 GTB, apart from a few modifications to the interior. The most important changes, however, were made to the engine. In fact, in competition, fuel injection systems had replaced the traditional stacks of carburettors and, as transferring racing experience to production cars has always been part of the Ferrari mission, adopting fuel injection systems was in line with this, helping indirectly to comply with new exhaust emission norms. The fuel injection system gave the 308 much smoother power delivery. Unfortunately, meeting anti-pollution regulations meant that a few horses had to go, and the cleaner engines were less powerful than the previous carburettor ones. Aware of this situation and the need to re-establishits cars at the top their class, Ferrari immediately began further development of the V8 engine with the aim of increasing power whilst still keeping exhaust emissions within acceptable levels. The fuel injection was coupled to a MarelliMED 803A Digiplex electronic ignition, incorporating a coil, distributor, and ignition module for each bank of cylinders.

Outside, the car was identical to the 308 GTB/GTS, save for metric sized wheels of a slightly different design, fitted with Michelin TRX radial tyres—Michelin XWX on 16-inch wheels were optional. Inside, the clock and oil temperature gauge were moved to the centre console; there were also a new black steering wheel with three perforated spokes, and seats of a different pattern. 494 GTBis and 1743 GTSis were produced before the model was succeeded by the 308 Quattrovalvole in 1982.

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