c. 1976 Ferrari 308 GT Berlinetta Vetroresina
Coachwork by Pininfarina/Scaglietti
Registration no. not UK registered
Chassis no. 19357

The Ferrari 308 GTB offered here has lighter glass fibre (vetroresina) bodywork and dry-sump lubrication of the very first cars produced, which are the most sought after by enthusiasts today.

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, retaining its predecessor's underpinnings and transversely mounted quad-cam 3.0-litre V8 engine that 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 dry sump lubrication and 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 an increased susceptibility to corrosion. Naturally, anyone wanting to race a 308 GTB started out with the vetroresina version if they could. Further developments included the introduction of an open-top GTS version with Targa-style removable roof, the adoption of Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection (1980) and, finally, revised cylinder heads with four valves per cylinder (1982).

One of only 712 vetroresina 308 GTB coupés produced, this rare right-hand drive example, chassis number '19357', is offered for sale by a Japanese collector. It has been on static display at the Shikoku Automobile Museum in Japan since July 1991 and has not been touched since then. Finished in silver metallic with blue interior trim, the car displays a total of 62,238 kilometres (approximately 38,600 miles) on the odometer and comes with an old tax disc in a Mansell/Ferrari holder, indicating that it was once registered as 'OFX 108P' in the UK. There is a Japanese import document with this Lot, which is sold strictly as viewed. A wonderful opportunity to acquire an example of this most desirable version of the iconic 308GTB. It is hoped this vehicle will be re-commissioned prior to the sale. Please note this lot will be subject to the reduced import tax of 5% on the hammer price should it remain in the EU.