Lot details Registration No: C528LBH Chassis No: ZFFL12C000056547 Mot Expiry: July 2008
Introduced at the October 1975 Paris Salon, the 308 GTB was an important car not just for Ferrari but for stylists Pininfarina as well. Keen to re-establish their monopoly on the Prancing Horse they strove to produce a truly iconic design. In the eyes of many they succeeded and certainly Maranello have not strayed since. Initially clad with glassfibre panels the 308 GTB adopted steel bodywork in 1977 (though, the inner wings and floorpan remained moulded from GRP). Based around an oval-section tubular spaceframe chassis, its all-round independent double-wishbone suspension was tempered by Koni shock absorbers and front / rear anti-roll bars. Carrying its transversely-mounted 3.0 litre V8 engine and five-speed manual gearbox amidships, the model's excellent handling was extensively praised by the contemporary motoring press. Utilising twin-pot callipers and separate front / rear circuits for its four-wheel disc brake system, the 308 GTB also benefited from nicely weighted rack and pinion steering. Gaining a 'Spider' sibling two years after launch, growing environmental concerns saw the 'junior' supercar adopt Bosch fuel injection in March 1981 at the cost of some forty horsepower. Worried about the consequent loss of performance, Maranello executive Eugenio Alzati resolved to give the 90-degree 'quad-cam' 2926cc unit its teeth back. Announced in October 1982, the new QV or 'quattrovalvole' variant was a revelation. Sporting - as its name suggests - four-valve cylinder heads, it was credited with developing some 240bhp and 192lbft of torque. Emissions friendly, it nevertheless boasted less noise, more power and better throttle response than its predecessor. Reputedly capable of 0-60mph in 5.7 seconds and 158mph, the QV cars once again had the raw speed to match their sublime looks. Only in production for three years, just 748 308 GTB QVs are thought to have been despatched worldwide.
Finished in white with black leather upholstery, this particular example is described by the vendor as being in "good overall" condition. An original right-hand drive car, 'C528 LBH' was imported from Hong Kong six years ago. Believed but not warranted to have covered some 47,000 miles from new, it is apparently accompanied by "lots of service bills dating back to 1991". Dry stored for the last nine months, the 'quattrovalvole' is nevertheless said to "drive well". Riding on correct-type alloy wheels, this striking Ferrari is offered for sale with MOT certificate valid until July 2008.
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