At $62,000, Is This 1978 Ferrari 308 GTS The Real Deal?
While, for many, a V12 Ferrari might be the holy grail of automobiledom, a lesser Cavallino like today’s Nice Price or No Dice 308 GTS might sufficiently satisfy that need. Let’s see if its price is just as sufficient.
Michael Mann’s Ferrari Is A Great Car Movie
In one of the most famous scenes in the TV drama Mad Men, Jon Hamm’s irredeemably creepy Don Draper character rides an elevator with a junior writer following a botched client presentation, with the latter still licking his wounds after the dressing down he received from the senior lead that resulted. Seeking redress, he says, “I feel bad for you,” in almost a whisper, while both men stare icily ahead. Draper delivers the coup de gras with his response; “I don’t think about you at all.” Interestingly, that’s also the response many would give if confronted in an elevator by any one of car maker Infiniti’s products. That being said, yesterday’s 2008 Infiniti M45x did seem to make a good impression around here. And, at $6,900, that fact was acknowledged by its 69 percent Nice Price win.
One marque that has no trouble getting noticed is Ferrari. I mean, just look at this 1978 Ferrari 308 GTS in Rosso Chiaro over a light tan interior. Pretty striking, right? It helps that the 308—in either closed Berlinetta or targa-topped Spider form—is one of Pininfarina’s greatest achievements.
Beneath that beautiful bodywork lives a tube-frame architecture into which nestles an F106 all-alloy engine. That, as the car’s name implies, offers 3.0 liters (actually 2927 ccs) of displacement across eight cylinders. In U.S. form, that mill makes 239 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, breathing through its quartet of Weber 40DCNF carbs. All those prancing ponies run through a five-speed manual with dog-leg first that cleverly sits directly below the engine with the shift rod passing straight through the sump.
As good-looking and desirable as any old Ferrari arguably is, the cars do also require a good bit of maintenance—for a time as much as mileage—to stave off becoming the world’s most beautiful grenade.
Fortunately, a ton of that work has apparently already been undertaken on this 308. That’s especially notable as, at 65,000 miles, this Ferrari has seen its share of road. According to the ad, a “2-year long restoration” costing “in excess of $24k” was undertaken by a previous owner less than 3,000 miles ago.
That work included a major engine service replacing the cam belts and ignition components, almost the entire fuel system, and new brakes and shocks. The A/C has also been converted to R134A from the former R12 to simplify maintenance. Prior to all this work, the clutch was done.
The seller notes that everything on the car—right done to the switches and knobs—currently works as it should. The seats have been recently reupholstered in the original two-tone leather and spruce up an otherwise solid-looking cabin.
Aesthetically, it seems pretty nice as well. We’ve already noted that it’s beautiful, but the seller notes a number of small blemishes in the beauty. It also does not roll on its original wheels. Those have been replaced by what the seller calls “F40 style” two-piece replicas. Those are a bit too ostentatious for the car, but might easily be traded for a proper set in the original style.
Other issues include a small hole in the leather of the parking brake boot and an aftermarket exhaust that, once more, looks a little too bling. The seller notes that the original exhaust can come with the sale, and that’s an offer that should not be passed up. A clean title and a four-owner history come with the car, as does a $62,000 asking price.
What do you say about this semi-restored Ferrari and that $62,000 price? Does that seem like a fair deal to get behind the wheel of a car from so venerated a brand? Or is that price knocking on the door of V12 territory?
You decide!
Wichita, Kansas, Craigslist, or go here if the ad disappears.
H/T to glemon for the hookup!
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