1976 Ferrari 308 GTB Vetroresina - Classiche Certification

Introduced at the Paris Salon in 1975, the stunningly beautiful 308 GTB, Ferrari's second V8-engined road car, marked a welcome return to Pininfarina styling following the Bertone-designed Dino 308 GT4. Badged as a 'proper' Ferrari rather than a Dino, the newcomer had changed little mechanically apart from a reduction in wheelbase, whilst retaining its predecessor's underpinnings and transversely mounted quad-cam, 3.0-litre V8, which now featured dry-sump lubrication. In road tune, this superbly engineered power unit produced 255bhp, an output good enough to propel the aerodynamically efficient 308 to a top speed of 150mph (240km/h). Produced initially with glass-fibre (Vetroresina) bodywork - the first time this material had been used for a production Ferrari - the Scaglietti-built 308 GTB using steel after April 1977. This change in construction brought with it a considerable weight penalty (around 80kg) and consequently a reduction in performance, as well as increased susceptibility to corrosion. Naturally, anyone wanting to race a 308 GTB started out with the Vetroresina version if they could.

Offered here is a UK-supplied right-hand drive Vetroresina finished in Bianco Polo Park (20-W-152) with blue leather (VM3282) and blue carpets. Ordered from new with an impressive specification which included electric windows, tinted glass, heated rear window, leather trim, air-conditioning and the special order colour. Naturally it is fitted with the slightly more powerful dry-sump engine as all European and UK cars were.

‘NOX 400R’ has lead a fascinating life and is a highly original example that still retains a lot of its early features. Indeed, one of the previous owners is a close friend of Silverstone Auctions, Harry Metcalfe, who bought this very car in 2013 and later featured it on his famous You Tube Channel ‘Harry’s Garage’ in 2017 after he sold it to the next owner. The video describing the car in more detail, including a road test, is shown at the bottom of this listing and we very much recommend interested viewers to hear about the car from the man himself.

The total mileage today to date is a mere 37,926 having formed part of a significant private collection in recent years and its most recent maintenance was carried out by Barkaways in 2020. The car is supplied with its original bill of sale, a complete handbook set including the original service book and the complete spare wheel set, with all the tools and original packaging, are where they have always been. Best of all NOX 400R is now in possession of a Certificate of Authenticity from Ferrari Classiche in that famous 'Red Book'.

Pleasingly, it doesn’t look like this particular car has ever been restored as such, just cared for and well-maintained over the years and as a result it looks to be a highly original example. One of only 154 fibreglass cars, this is a very rare and desirable Ferrari that will warrant further investigation. Silverstone Auctions are storing the car for the owner prior to the sale and so pre-sale inspections can be arranged upon request.