1976 Ferrari GTB Vetroresina

• Very rare. Just 154 Vetroresina (Italian for fibreglass) examples left the factory in RHD destined for the UK
• These early 308s are much sought-after being lighter in weight and equipped with carburettors and dry-sump lubrication
• RHD/UK-supplied, originally in rare Blu Dino Metallizzato, body number 84, matching numbers
• Coming from a private vendor and 20-years diligent ownership; will revert to its original 1976 registration number 'TAP 971R'
• Meticulous mechanical upkeep since new, including a complete engine rebuild at 53,000 miles and a total ground-up photographic restoration in 2001
• Extensive history, numerous folders of invoices totalling approx. ú70,000, all MOTs verifying mileage, full maintenance records from day one, complete original book-pack, build sheets and tool roll
• An extremely healthy 308 that drives and performs quite superbly; recently fully cambelt serviced and 12 months MOT

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 engine, 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 used steel after April 1977. The change brought with it a considerable weight penalty (around 80kg) and consequent 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.

The car presented here is a 1976 Ferrari 308 GTB Vetroresina, a right-hand drive/UK-supplied matching numbers car, one of just 154 examples that left the factory in this configuration destined for the UK (only 712 Vetroresina 308 GTB coupés in total were ever produced).

This car must be one of the most well maintained and best driving examples out there, with full maintenance records from day one. It was also the recipient of a total ground-up photographic restoration in 2001. The car has been used as intended, but diligently maintained, serviced and restored even when not required, with numerous accompanying folders of invoices totalling approx. ú70,000. The engine was refreshed at 40,000 miles, a complete engine rebuild carried out at 53,000 miles (with camshaft upgrade) and again refreshed at 70,000 miles, with hardened valves and seats installed in 2009, all by renowned Ferrari specialists. It has also benefited from new springs and dampers, its original air conditioning upgraded with modern internals, a new flywheel, clutch, clutch shaft, shaft gear and associated bearings all replaced in the last 1,000 miles. It has just had a full cam-belt service, a distributor rebuild and a rolling road tune-up, and now displays a fully verifiable 94,000 miles (atoc).

Our private vendor has enjoyed his Vetroresina for 20 years and has lavished much time and money on keeping it at its best but feels now the time has come to say goodbye. Retaining irreplaceable original items including two sets of keys, its complete book-pack, tool-roll, magnetic maintenance light and build sheets, this really is the complete classic Ferrari package.