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HomePick of the DayAffordable 1978 Ferrari 308 GTS

Affordable 1978 Ferrari 308 GTS

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While the Ferrari 246 GT Dino that proceeded it has gone on to multi-six-figure values as a collector car, the Ferrari 308 has lingered among the lower-echelon production models of the esteemed Italian brand. This despite its wonderful shark-like styling and V8 power, compared with the Dino’s V6.

Also despite the 308’s TV role, in its later years, as Tom Selleck’s frequently “borrowed” ride in Magnum PI.

Styling was done by a Pininfarina designer

The Pick of the Day is a 1978 Ferrari 308 GTS just the way you hope to find them, a bright-red (naturally) coupe with a removable targa top and Weber carburetors that has traveled just 49,000 miles, with full documentation and records, and described by the seller as being in superb condition.

“This highly desirable and collectible carbureted model is mechanically superb and comes accompanied by its original bill of sale, service records, as well as books and tools,” according to the Astoria, New York, dealer advertising the Ferrari on ClassicCars.com. “It runs and drives fantastic and is very clean throughout with nice paint and leather interior.

“An incredible buy and a wonderful opportunity to own an increasingly coveted classic carbureted 308 Ferrari.”

The interior looks very good with a nice patina

Originally produced as “entry-level” Ferraris, these steel-bodied cars were designed at Pininfarina by Leonardo Fioravanti, who was also responsible for several other iconic Ferrari models. The GTS designation is derived from the removable roof panel, the S standing for “spyder,” as opposed to the GTB fixed-roof coupe with the B standing for “berlinetta.”

The 2.9-liter V8 engine is fed by a quartet of Webers and produces 240 horsepower in U.S. specification, which can propel the lightweight sports car from zero-60 in 6.5 seconds and reach a top speed of more than 150 mph.  The mid-engine Ferrari is also known for its precise, balanced handling. 

All this style and performance comes at an asking price of $56,500, which seems like a good deal for a Ferrari 308 in such nice condition.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.

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Bob Golfen
Bob Golfen
Bob Golfen is a longtime automotive writer and editor, focusing on new vehicles, collector cars, car culture and the automotive lifestyle. He is the former automotive writer and editor for The Arizona Republic and SPEED.com, the website for the SPEED motorsports channel. He has written free-lance articles for a number of publications, including Autoweek, The New York Times and Barrett-Jackson auction catalogs. A collector car enthusiast with a wide range of knowledge about the old cars that we all love and desire, Bob enjoys tinkering with archaic machinery. His current obsession is a 1962 Porsche 356 Super coupe.

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