1978 Ferrari 308 GT4

Lot details
Registration No: VJU808S
Chassis No: 13836
Mot Expiry: Feb 2013

Ferrari's mould-breaking 308 GT4 was introduced at the Paris Salon in 1973. Originally marketed as a Dino, it didn't, however, gain its 'prancing horse' badges until 1976. It was the first production Ferrari to feature a mid-mounted V8 engine and the first to be clothed in Bertone-designed bodywork, the angular lines of which were a major departure from the sweeping curves of the Pininfarina-penned 246 that it replaced. The chassis was a stretched version of that used for the 246 - the combination of longer wheelbase and transversely mounted engine allowing room for a second (small) row of seats. Steering was by rack and pinion and the independent suspension featured wishbones and coil springs all-round. The 3-litre light alloy engine reputedly delivered 255bhp at 7600rpm - sufficient to endow the car with a top speed of over 150mph and a 0-60mph acceleration time of 6.4 seconds. It was mated to a traditional Ferrari 'slotted gate', five-speed gearbox mounted behind and beneath the engine. Production of the GT4 continued until 1980, when the model was replaced by the Mondial. Some 2,800 examples were made during the seven years of manufacture. Its major competitors of the time were the Porsche Carrera, Maserati Merak and Jaguar E-Type.

The striking right-hand drive 308 being sold is finished in White complemented by a Red leather interior. Within the same ownership since 1985 and always serviced by Ferrari agents or marque specialists, it was apparently treated to a bare metal respray in 2010. The specification includes an electronic ignition upgrade and sports exhaust system. The vendor classes the bodywork and paintwork as "immaculate", the engine as "very good" and the five-speed manual transmission as "working fine". 'VJU 808S' is being sold complete with all its old MOTs, the original Ferrari wallet with service book and a brand new MOT.