1985 Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole Targa Coupé
Registration no. B82 COG
Chassis no. 55059

Ferrari's line of highly successful V8-engined road cars began with the 308GT4 of 1973. Badged as a 'Dino', the all-new 308GT4 2+2 superseded the preceding Dino V6. The newcomer's wedge-shaped styling - by Bertone rather than the customary Pininfarina - was not universally well received but there were no complaints about the performance of the 3.0-litre quad-cam V8 engine, which was carried over to its successor.

Introduced at the Paris Salon in 1975, the stunningly beautiful 308GTB - Ferrari's second V8 road car - marked a return to Pininfarina styling following the Bertone-designed 308GT4. Badged as a 'proper' Ferrari rather than a Dino, the 308GTB had changed little mechanically apart from a reduction in both wheelbase and weight, retaining its predecessor's underpinnings and transversely mounted engine that now featured dry-sump lubrication. In road tune this superbly engineered power unit produced 255bhp, an output good enough to propel the 308GTB to a top speed of over 150mph. Produced initially with glassfibre bodywork - the first time this material had been used for a production Ferrari - the Scaglietti-built 308GTB used steel after April 1977. Further developments included the introduction of an open-top GTS version with Targa-style removable roof, the adoption of Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection and, finally, revised cylinder heads with four valves per cylinder on the Quattrovalvole (Qv) model in 1982. An exhilarating driver's car and a Ferrari purist's delight, the 308GTB and its many derivatives proved a huge commercial success for Maranello with over 12,000 sold.

Representing the 308 in its ultimate, Quattrovalvole form, this example of Ferrari's first Pininfarina-styled V8 road car was sold new in February 1985 to one P J Matthews of Birmingham before being exported to Spain in 2004. Re-imported and reunited with its original UK registration number in 2013, the Ferrari was purchased by the current (sixth) owner that same year from Mr Melvin Douglas Bonner, who had acquired it in 1999. The vendor advises us that he has partly restored the car, including replacing the CD player. 'B82 COG' has covered only some 150 miles while in his ownership, and is currently MoT'd until June 2019.

In the well organised history file there are various invoices for parts purchased and work carried out; some documents from the car's time in Spain; a list of past owners and servicing up to September 2013; and a V5C Registration Certificate. Described by the private vendor as 'driving beautifully', the car also comes with its original Ferrari book pack, handbook, warranty card, tool kits (x2), etc. The service card lists services in 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2006, and 2008. A quantity of spare parts and a workshop/parts manual are included in the sale.