Lot details
Registration No: MJF 459
Chassis No: ZFFWA20C000080015
Mot Expiry: March 2011

Introduced at the September 1985 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Ferrari 328 shot straight to the top of the 'junior supercar' league. Borrowed from the preceding 308, its tubular-steel chassis was equipped with double-wishbone independent suspension, front / rear anti-roll bars and potent disc brakes, and the adoption of a 288 GTO-specification steering rack brought notably sharper responses. Transversely mid-mounted, the newcomer's Tipo 105CB 'quad-cam' 32-valve V8 displaced 3185cc. Credited with developing 270bhp and 224lbft of torque, it was allied to five-speed manual transmission and gave suitably authoritative performance (0-60mph: 5.5 seconds / 158mph). Styled by Pininfarina, the 328 retained the same iconic silhouette as its forebear but added a larger 'egg crate' grille, new bumpers and reworked bonnet and boot lids. Available in both GTB (berlinetta) and GTS (spider) guises, the Ferrari also benefited from a revamped interior - again inspired by the 288 GTO - complete with improved switchgear, redesigned centre console and more cosseting seats. Beloved by the press and public alike, the 328 remained in production until 1989 by which time just 542 GTSs are thought to have been despatched to the UK.

Supplied new via Dick Lovett Ltd to Mark Hazell Esq of Newport, Gwent, this particular example - chassis number '80015' - had covered just 659 miles by the time it entered the current (second) ownership on 26th October 1991. Treated to cambelt changes by Evans Halshaw (October 1991, 644 miles), Team Proactive Ltd (June 2001, 11,117 miles) and Central Sports Cars Ltd (February 2010, 12,818 miles), the Ferrari has covered just 12,900 or so miles from new. The subject of a number plate change from 'G452 NMR' to 'MJF 459' during January 1992, the two-seater is said to have been "serviced regularly and only used in dry conditions". Further understood to have had "work carried out as and when needed" including the recharging of its air-conditioning system and various replacement boot / bonnet struts, the two-seater also boasts a Ferrari tool roll and wallet / service book. Riding on correct type five-spoke alloy wheels, chassis '80015' is the lowest mileage and sharpest 328 GTS that we have had the pleasure of offering for sale.

The MJF Collection

The letters M, J and F equate to the initials of a charming Scottish gentleman and lots 50 - 54 are offered for sale from his private collection. MJF started his working life in the Clydeside shipyards at the age of just fourteen. Thereafter, a prodigious talent for football saw him embark on a career as a professional goalkeeper which culminated in two championship titles and a FA Cup win. Paid the princely sum of £6 per week to begin with, MJF's first motorcar was a Singer Nine Le Mans. While, time spent as a RAF driving instructor during National Service only cemented his love of motoring.

Farsighted enough to take various polytechnic courses as his football days were coming to an end, he founded a steel stockholding company upon 'retirement' which supplied metal to a good proportion of the British car industry during the 1960s and 1970s. Able to fund his passion for motor cars on a somewhat grander scale, MJF bought the 1977 Triumph Stag (lot 50) new and has since covered some 120,000 miles aboard it; proof that a well-maintained example can be reliable. The 1959 AC Ace Bristol was next to join the stable followed by the 1963 Aston Martin DB4 Convertible and 1989 Ferrari 328 GTS.

The 1980 MG B LE Roadster was purchased new as a twenty-first birthday present for MJF's son but not road registered until the landmark date occurred in April 1989. Sadly, the son died last year and it is this bereavement which has prompted the collection's dispersal. During MJF's ownership the cars have been kept garaged and indeed have had the benefit of their own in-house curator. It may sound trite but we believe the quintet to have come from a good home. Though, the last word goes to MJF: "I will be sorry to part with them, of course, as they have given me such a lot of pleasure. But you can't keep them forever and I will be hanging on to one or two."