1978 ferrari 308 gts 5 sp manual 2d coupe

THE STORY Unveiled in the fall of 1977 and hitting the roads in 1978, the Ferrari 308 GTS quickly became one of the most iconic models in the legendary Italian marque’s history. Designed by the renowned Pininfarina studio and engineered by Ferrari’s in-house team, the 308 GTS set a new standard for high-performance mid-engine sports cars. The GTS designation stood for ``Gran Turismo Spider,`` emphasizing its convertible roof that could be removed or stowed, offering a pure and open-air driving experience. The Ferrari 308 GTS was powered by a 2.9-liter, quad-cam V8 engine capable of producing 255 horsepower. Paired with a five-speed manual transmission, the car offered sharp handling and superb agility, making it one of the most exciting Ferraris of its time. Its unique mid-engine layout ensured optimal weight distribution, delivering exceptional balance through tight corners and open highways alike. The car’s success was further solidified with its starring role in the popular television series ‘Magnum P.I.” where it captured the imagination of a global audience. As the 1970s drew to a close, the Ferrari 308 GTS firmly entrenched itself as one of the most admired and enduring sports cars in the world - blending stunning looks with exceptional performance and continuing to uphold Ferrari's prestigious legacy. THE CAR Originally sold new in California USA, this beautiful example of a 1978 Ferrari 308 GTS was imported to Australia in the 1990s by a previous owner. The car was converted to right-hand drive in 2002 by Prestige Auto Care in South Australia. Conversions to right hand drive are believed to have been mandatory at that time as the car was less than 30 years old. The car has also undergone a full nut and bolt restoration which was completed in 2014. This included a bare metal respray in her original Rosso Corsa red paint and new interior trim. The car looks as good today as it did when the restoration work was completed. The current owner has enjoyed the car since 2018 and under his stewardship, the gearbox has been rebuilt, the car has had an “engine out” service, the Weber carburettors have been professionally tuned, new radiator hoses have been fitted, and the car’s wiring harness and air conditioning have both been upgraded. The car’s paint presents beautifully as does the upholstery, gauges, dash, switches and steering wheel. The targa top is in excellent condition and is very simple to remove. All electrics work and the car has a complete tool kit. Getting behind the wheel of this 308 GTS is everything you’d expect – from the famed bark of the Ferrari V8 engine, right through to the gated gear changes and precision handling that will leave you grinning from ear to ear. The car also has 4 x additional factory rims that will be made available to the purchaser at an additional cost. T his extremely well-sorted Ferrari is in outstanding condition.