Every petrolhead will have at one point or another dreamed about owning a Ferrari. There is an allure in possessing a model from the automaker that was born of passion in the racing world and has reigned victorious in Formula 1 since its inception, becoming the most successful team of all time.
This is why neglected models which would otherwise be overlooked and scrapped are painstakingly brought back to life at a considerable price. If that is what you are into and have the finances and patience to import from Paris, this 1982 308 GTSi might be for you.
A bargain price can often be subjective but picking up a Ferrari model that was popularised by Tom Selleck in Magnum PI will have its appeal. RM Sotheby’s will sell the car without reserve at its Paris sale with an estimate of $55 000 to $80 000. This is about 35% the value of a concours condition model but the more you scroll through the gallery, the graver the work becomes and the more realistic solution would be to part the car out.
While the 308 series presented many differing models through its lifespan, the GTSi moniker is that of a fuel-injected engine. The auction listing also notes that there is a replacement powerplant, which sounds like a bargain although RM Sotheby’s believes it is a 3,2-litre Quattrovalvole V8, instead of the original 2,9-litre V8 which would make this slightly less desirable to potential buyers down the line who insist on matching numbers for maximum price.
The problem with this specific model is that it is missing more parts than it has, the Rosso Chiaro bodywork is in tatty condition with newspaper shoved into most exposed crevices while a rat infestation in the warm compartments of the car can almost guarantee that whatever wiring looms exist have been nibbled to pieces.
The other possible option for the period correct Prancing Horse would be to scrape all of the working parts together and spend time turning it into a track car, or if that sounds like too much work for you, RM Sotheby’s is about to sell a 1979 308 GTB race car for an estimate between $30,000 to $40,000 – a real bargain, just not for road use!
Words: Alex Shahini
