The Targa-topped Ferrari 308 GTS was introduced to the world at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1977, and visually it was very similar to its 308 GTB Berlinetta, apart from the black removable glass-fiber roof panel, and the hinged louvre panels over the rear quarter windows. It was this car that became quite famous in Magnum, P.I. starring Tom Selleck, a private investigator who drove a bright red Ferrari 308 GTS. The pleasure of open-top driving has always had a very special place in the heart of many Ferrari fans, and the 308 GTS was developed in collaboration with Pininfarina in 1977 to help make that dream come true. When not in use, its Targa hardtop could be stored neatly away behind the seats. The chassis was specially reinforced to compensate for the lack of full roof rigidity. The 308 GTS featured a steel body with an aluminum front lid, while the USA-market cars feature heavier bumper assemblies, and rectangular side-marker lights on the wings. The naturally aspirated 2.9 Liter V8 engine was identical to 308 GTB, w/ a 90-degree configuration, and belt driven twin overhead camshafts, producing 255 horsepower. The engine was transversely mounted w/ the all-synchromesh five-speed transmission. The 308 GTS was produced from 1977 thru 1980, w/ a total production of 3,219 units.
This beautiful steel-bodied example now sits on our showroom floor here in St. George, Utah w/ 76,387 original miles. We have extensive service records going back to 1980, including the mechanical work that was recently completed in November, 2022, which totaled $40,000. A cosmetic restoration was done in 2014, and the car shows beautifully in every way. The body & paint are in wonderful condition, and the factory correct Rosso Corsa paint has a brilliant shine throughout. The black rubber bumpers were replaced along with the taillight, turn signal and side marker lenses. She sits on 16” black Ferrari wheels wrapped w/ Continental 215/55/R16 radial tires. The original 14” silver 5-spoke wheels will go w/ the car when sold. You can walk around this Ferrari a dozen times and it looks gorgeous from every angle.
Open the driver’s door and you will find a beautiful black Ferrari leather interior that appears factory stock w/ the addition of a custom sound system. This system features an Alpine ILX-W650 7" Double DIN Touchscreen Digital Multimedia Receiver w/ Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alpine S-A32F 60-Watt 4-Channel Amplifier, Alpine X-S65C 6.5” Speakers, and an Alpine PWE-S8 8” Compact Subwoofer. Other accessories include an Alpine HCE-C1100 HDR Rear-View Camera, and Metra wireless steering wheel controls. The original radio is boxed up and will go with the car when sold. All of the original gauges, AC, lights, blinkers, etc., appear to be in perfect working order.
When you pop open the bonnet, you will find the 2.9-liter F106 AE V8 sporting four rebuilt carburetors. It was factory rated at 240 horsepower and 210 Ft./Lbs. of torque, and is equipped with a 5-speed manual transaxle and a limited-slip differential. As previously mentioned, in 2022 everything was completely gone through top to bottom at a cost of $40,000. While the motor was out of the car, it was painted Ferrari red which looks excellent. Again, we have a stack of invoices & receipts dating back to 1980, so all of the work that was performed in 2022 is fully documented and can be emailed upon request to any serious buyer. Along w/ these detailed service invoices, the new owner will receive the original owner’s manual w/ its original sleeve, original Ferrari tool kit, original jack assembly in its original black pouch, black tonneau cover, original 14" Ferrari wheels w/ tires, and the original radio. This Ferrari 308 GTS runs & drives great and is an absolute blast to drive. Of course, anywhere that you decide to take it, there will be folks gathered around the car snapping photos w/ their smartphones.
If you have been searching for a beautiful 1979 Ferrari 308 GTS to drive & enjoy, you will want to take a close look at this wonderful car!