Ferrari 308 GTSi QV

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Every schoolboy’s dream of what a proper Ferrari should look like, the sensational 308 GTB/GTS was launched in 1975 to replace the much more feminine looking Dino 246.

Famously driven by Tom Selleck in the Eighties TV series Magnum PI, the 308 was designed by Leonardo Fioravanti who had also penned the equally dramatic Daytona and Berlinetta Boxer. An intoxicating mix of sweeping curves and aggressive lines, it oozed Italian style from every angle and looked like it was doing 100mph even when standing still.

Initially bodied in fibreglass, from 1977 onwards it had a conventional steel body, both sharing the same tube-frame platform with 4-wheel double wishbone independent suspension. The mid-mounted 3.0 V8 engine initially had four Weber carbs and produced 255bhp, but Bosch fuel-injection was fitted from 1980 onwards which dropped power to 214bhp but greatly reduced emissions. Two years later, the 4-valve per cylinder Quattrovalvole (QV) model pushed output back up to 245bhp restoring the performance – 0-60mph in 6.2 seconds and a 159mph top speed. Some 12,000 examples were sold before it was replaced by the 328 in 1985.

Supplied new by HR Owen of South Kensington in May 1983, this 308 QV Spider has covered 83,537 miles to date with a good history file comprising 18 stamps in the book plus many supporting invoices. Our vendor, a retired race car mechanic who has owned, raced and looked after many exotic machines in his time, bought it from Ferrari specialist Bob Houghton of Northleach in June 2011 and has used it sparingly in fine weather only, covering just under 4,000 miles in his eight-year ownership.

Naturally he has also maintained it himself including a thorough service last year when the cambelts and tensioner bearings were renewed and both the digiplex ECUs were replaced, since when it has only covered some 200 miles.

Looking smart in classic Rosso Corsa with black leather trim, it is no show queen but a proper driver’s car that you won’t be scared to use. Starting instantly and running nicely as we moved it around for these pictures, it also sounded great with a particularly rousing exhaust note.

Due to have a new MOT in time for the sale (the last expiring in August 2019 with no advisories recorded) it comes with many old MOTs back to 1987, the original Ferrari bookpack, a tool roll and a nice (transferable) 308 number plate. It looks great value at the sensible guide price suggested.