Original Owner: 1984 Ferrari 308GTS – Sold?

January 2, 2022 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

Normally, just about any Ferrari two-seater we come across would be saved for our very next “Sports Car Saturday” edition, however, with this one-owner, 40K mile originally listed in November 2021 on Craigslist in nearby Lambertville, New Jersey over this past weekend, we have a feeling this car won’t last that long. Why? It’s rare to come across a Ferrari for sale by the original owner that hasn’t been a garage queen that looks cleaner than the day the buyer took delivery.  The patina interior hints that the original owner likely enjoyed this car every chance they could on the weekends.

Currently offered at $75,000, comparing that price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms the private seller has their 308GTS priced between this guide’s #3 “Good” estimate of $60,100 and its #2 “Excellent” appraisal of $81,800.

Originally launched in 1975 as the fiberglass-bodied 308, for 1982 Ferrari launched the 308 Quattrovalvole, in GTB and GTS form.  The main change from the 308 GTBi/GTSi it succeeded was the four valves per cylinder which pushed output back up to 240 horsepower restoring some of the performance lost to the emission control equipment on the earlier two-valve models.

The new model could be recognized by the addition of a slim louvered panel in the front lid to aid radiator exhaust air exit, power operated mirrors carrying a small enamel Ferrari badge, a redesigned radiator grille with rectangular driving lights on each side, and rectangular (in place of round) side repeaters. The interior also received some minor updates, such as a satin black three-spoke steering wheel with a triangular center. Available options included metallic paint, a deep front spoiler, air conditioning, wider wheels, 16-inch Speedline wheels with Pirelli P7 tires, and a satin black roof aerofoil (standard on Japanese market models).

Apart from the DOHC 32-valve cylinder heads, the V8 engine relied on the same design as the 308 GTSi model. Total displacement was 2,927 cc. Output on European specification cars was 240 horsepower at 7000 rpm and 192 pound-feet of torque at 5000 rpm while cars shipped to the US  featured 230 horsepower at 6800 rpm and 188 pound-feet of torque at 5500 rpm of torque. The gear and final drive ratios were altered to suit the revised characteristics of the 4 multivalves per cylinder engine. One other significant benefit of the QV four valve heads was the replacement of the non-QV model’s sodium valves which have been known to fail at the joint between the head and the stem. Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection and Magneti Marelli Digiplex electronic ignition were carried over from the GTBi/GTSi. All US market examples were fitted with catalytic converters.

The Ferraris Online YouTube Channel provides this excellent overview of the Ferrari 308 as well as what to look for when buying one:

Other than the worn driver’s seat, there’s a lot to like about this one-owner Ferrari and we would love to hear the story about the car.  As long as the original owner comes through with showing the “complete service records” mentioned in his listing, you will be buying a driver quality example that can easily be taken to the next level or simply enjoyed as is.

Here’s the original owner’s brief description:

“Original owner 40K miles, always garaged, pristine condition, complete service records, 2.9L mid-engine Quatrovalvole
3,045 produced, original price $56,250​“

Show or go: what would you do with this survivor Ferrari?  Comment below and let us know!