1979 Ferrari 308

Documents: Cancelled Italian Libretto

Chassis No. 27883

Engine No. 01305

The first mid-engine V8 Ferrari to bear the iconic Cavallino Rampante badge, the 308 GTB was introduced in 1975, the same year Niki Lauda secured the Formula 1 World Championship for Scuderia Ferrari. Unveiled at the Paris and London Motor Shows, it was met with immediate acclaim from both press and customers, with orders placed from the outset. More than a successful new model, the 308 GTB marked the beginning of a lineage that would endure for more than four decades.

Built by Scaglietti to a design by Pininfarina, its flared fenders and rectangular grille give the 308 GTB a distinctive sense of power and, at times, outright aggression. Its transversely mounted, mid-rear 3.0-liter V8, fed by four Weber carburetors, produced 255 horsepower and propelled the car to a top speed of 252 km/h. Particularly noteworthy was its dry-sump lubrication system, which allowed Ferrari to mount the engine lower in the chassis while also providing more effective cooling through increased oil capacity.

Built in April 1979, this Ferrari 308 GTB was delivered new through Garage Francorchamps, the official Ferrari dealership founded and led by Belgian racing driver Jacques Swaters, who also owned Écurie Francorchamps and Équipe Nationale Belge. The car was originally finished in the delicate combination of Blu Azzurro over a Pelle Sabbia leather interior.

A true cosmopolitan, the 308 GTB subsequently traveled from Belgium to the neighboring Netherlands, then on to Germany before crossing the Alps to return to its country of manufacture, Italy. There, it underwent a professional restoration, receiving an Azzurro Metallizzato finish reminiscent of its original color, complemented by a beige leather interior with black accents. It was registered there as GJ 308JY.

Strikingly modern in both design and equipment, including air conditioning, the Ferrari 308 GTB is presented today in a striking Azzurro Metallizzato, complemented by its magnesium-alloy Campagnolo wheels. Renowned for its exceptional handling and pure driving enjoyment, the 308 GTB engages the driver on every outing.