For Sale at Auction: 1976 Ferrari 308 in Monterey, California

Chassis No. 19535
Engine No. 01758
Transmission No. 1780

To the delight of tifosi who remained unconvinced by the Bertone styling of the 308 GT4 2+2, the Pininfarina-styled 308 GTB introduced in 1975 shared more in common with its predecessor, the vaunted Dino 246 GT. Its scalloped side intakes, twin circular rear lights, and concave rear window recessed into buttressed sail panels recalled the Dino, while its wedge profile was a clear result of extensive testing in Pininfarina's wind tunnel. Less apparent was the 308 GTB's fiberglass, or vetroresina construction, hand-laid by the artisans at Carrozzeria Scaglietti, contributing to a scant overall weight of 2,315 pounds. A more traditional rolled-steel construction began in late 1976 for U.S.-market cars, while changes to the "Tipo F106" engine meant that the early Weber-carbureted, fiberglass 308s remain the most potent, and rare, examples of the platform. Only 712 fiberglass-bodied 308 GTBs were produced between 1975 and 1977, and a mere 100 were officially imported new to the United States.

Identified by an indented line where the roof joins the windscreen pillar, this early U.S.-market Ferrari 308 GTB Vetroresina was completed in June of 1976, finished in Rosso Chiaro (20.3.90) over Beige (VM 4208) Connolly leather seats with Nero inserts and matching Nero (80) carpets. The Ferrari was imported by the renowned Ferrari distributor Bill Harrah's Modern Classic Motors in Reno, Nevada in September 1976. While little is known about the early history of this 308, the car was under the care of a Houston-based collector when it underwent a complete cosmetic and mechanical restoration from 2015-2016. The marque experts at Motion Products Inc. in Neenah, Wisconsin conducted the exhaustive restoration, which exceeded $195,000. During the process, the inoperative odometer was replaced with a correct 180 mile-per-hour Veglia Borletti unit which now shows just over 15,800 miles at the time of cataloging.

In the years since its completion, chassis number 19535 has been exceptionally maintained by Ferrari of Houston and the current owner's in-house Ferrari specialist. Most recently, in June 2024, the car underwent a comprehensive service which included rebuilding the brakes (rotors, pads, calipers), replacing the sway bar bushings and ball joints, replacing the steering rack, resealing the shift shaft and oil pan, new fuel hoses, and all new fluids. In total, over $248,000 in restoration work and servicing has been lavished on the 308 since March 2015.

Under previous ownership in 2018, the Ferrari was awarded Classiche certification, confirming that the engine and transmission numbers are recognized by Ferrari to match factory records. Riding on classic Campagnolo five-spoke alloy wheels mounted with correct Michelin XWX radial tires, this Vetroresina is factory correct in numerous regards. Today, fiberglass 308s are extremely collectible as the purest and most powerful examples of its breed, making highly original examples like 19535 all the more desirable.