To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' Monterey
event, 15 - 17 August 2019.
Estimate:
$100,000 - $150,000
- Offered from the Ming Collection
- Acquired from the original owner in 2013
- Showing just 3,959 miles
- Equipped with factory air-conditioning
- Includes tool roll and owner's manuals
- From the final year of production
The Ferrari 308 succeeded the Dino, and in doing so, it returned
the transverse mid-engine design to the prancing horse's stable.
Pininfarina's Leonardo Fioravanti is credited with the dramatic
design, which would eventually influence the legendary 288 GTO.
With the 308, Ferrari had a proper home for its 90-degree V-8
engine. Initially offered in carbureted form, the V-8 adopted Bosch
K-Jetronic mechanical fuel injection in 1980, and the car became
known as the 308 GTBi/GTSi, in either berlinetta or spider form,
respectively. Power was down with the Bosch system, but the car was
more reliable and had reduced emissions compared to before. Just
two years later, Ferrari attended the 1982 Paris Motor Show with
the 308 GTS Quattrovalvole, which, as its name suggests, featured
four valves per cylinder. Output climbed to 240 horsepower in
European specification, and the Bosch K-Jetronic system was
retained.
A few styling updates accompanied the engine-room modifications.
Improved airflow came via a reworked front fascia, while function
and form came together with a new steering-wheel design and
power-adjustable exterior rearview mirrors. The 308 Quattrovalvole
was also offered in fixed-roof GTB and targa-style GTS with a
removable black vinyl roof section over the passenger compartment.
Not surprisingly, most buyers opted for the open GTS model.
Production began in 1982 and wrapped up in 1985, with around 3,800
examples of both bodies eventually leaving Maranello.
The opportunity to acquire a new 308 GTS Quattrovalvole has long
passed, though you would hardly know it with this car. This
spectacular example comes from the last year of production and is
finished in Rosso Corsa over a tan leather interior. The car was
built in January 1985 and was subsequently delivered new through
Hollywood Sports Cars in Hollywood, California. After being
acquired by the Ming Collection from its original owner in April
2013, the car now shows just 3,959 miles. An age-related servicing
was conducted in the summer of 2013, and the car rides on its
period Goodyear NCT VR50 tires. This final-year example is equipped
with air-conditioning and 16-inch wheels and is offered with its
tool roll and manuals in their correct folio.To view this car and
others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM
website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mo19.