1979 Ferrari 308 GTB

The 308 GTB was launched at the Paris Motor Show in 1975 as a direct replacement for the Dino 246. Designed by Pininfarina with sweeping curves and aggressive lines, the 308 has gone on to become one of the most recognised Ferraris of all time. Fitted with a 2.9 litre DOHC V8 engine fed by four Webber 40DCNF Carburettors, the power output of 255bhp was sufficient to propel the 308 from 0 to 60mph in 6.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 159 mph. In 1980, the decision was taken to replace the carburettors with fuel injection, unfortunately reducing the engine output from 255 to 214 bhp, however two years later, an extra couple of valves per cylinder were added, giving "Quattrovalvole" models around 240bhp. The 308 was manufactured in both GTB and GTS (Spyder) forms from 1977 to 1985, before being replaced by the 328.In hindsight, amongst enthusiasts of the 308, the version to have is an early steel bodied car with a dry sump and carburettors, which is exactly what we have here. Manufactured in 1979, this original UK, right hand drive car has covered a genuine 28,870 miles. It was first registered to Cooper Car Sales Ltd in Leicester on the 5th.of April 1979, and has subsequently had five keepers, two of which were dealers.Sold to Mr George Knight on the 22nd April 1981, he went on to keep the car for 13 years until it was purchased by H J Marshall, a precision engineer from Manchester. Over the next 20 years, "HWW 54T' became a labour of love as a complete re-build was undertaken with the owner even building a new garage in which to carry out the work!In 2013 the love affair was over. The car at this stage was 95% complete including a new interior, bare metal respray, new suspension and brakes. The respected Ferrari specialists "QV London' were commissioned to complete the final stages in May 2014, including a 6000 mile service, the obligatory belts and tensioners, all fluids and a steering and suspension nut and bolt check.Supplied with a UK V5c, a fresh MoT, this fabulous dry sump, steel bodied, carburettor 308 GTB is ready to grace the roads again for the first time in 20 years.