1983 Ferrari 308 GTSi QV Coupe

Description

The Ferrari 308 GTB/GTS series introduced in 1975 was the true successor to the legendary 246 Dino – while a worthy car, the Bertone styled 308 GT4 somehow failed to capture the spirit of the earlier model – and remained the mainstay of Maranello’s production for the next decade. With beautifully cohesive styling by Pininfarina, the 308 captured the very essence of the Prancing Horse marque. The GTS variant, with lift-out roof panel, added to the desirability of the 308 series when introduced in 1977 and was made famous the world over by Tom Selleck’s character from the television series Magnum P.I. The earliest examples were fitted with fibreglass bodywork, but buyer resistance saw a return to the traditional steel panels in 1976, albeit retaining fibreglass front and rear valances and the same aluminium bonnet panel with only a minimal weight gain. The 308 GTB/GTS was considered a fully-fledged Ferrari right from the outset, losing any Dino references but did carry over the basic engine configuration of the 308 GT4, including wet-sump lubrication (European delivered cars switched to a dry-sump set-up) and twin distributor ignition system. Increasingly strict exhaust emissions regulations saw carburettors replaced with Bosch fuel injection from late 1980, along with revisions to the interior and new metric wheels for Michelin’s latest TRX tyres. The resulting loss of power saw the development of a new four-valve head and the 308 Quattrovalvole (QV) was announced at the Paris Salon in October 1982, restoring horsepower to 240 for European (and Australian) market cars. A red crackle finish on the intake casting distinguished the QV under the bonnet, along with a revised front spoiler and grille. By modern Ferrari standards the GTS QV is also something of a rarity, with just 3042 completed between 1982 and 1985, and only a handful ever found their way to Australia. In recent years, interest in 308 models has grown, something reflected in the steady appreciation of prices, making these cars an attractive proposition when compared with later V8 models.