1978 Ferrari 308 GTS #23361

We are pleased to offer 1978 USA model 308 GTS s/n 23361, a strong running, well documented, rust free, three owner California car. Sold new by Griswold & Company, Berkeley, CA to Rich Hairston and Sandy Houck in Sacramento, CA. In 1986 s/n 23361 moved on to the second owner, Ted Harris in Carmichael, a Sacramento suburb. In late 1989 s/n 23361 moved on to Tim Landis, a dentist, in Roseville, yet another Sacramento suburb. In 1992 Tim Landis rebuilt the engine, installed the very desirable 16 x 7 front and 16 x 8 rear wheels with new Bridgestone tires, fitted lightweight and very attractive Euro front and rear bumpers and had shorter, stiffer springs installed by Roger Krause Racing in San Fransisco. Shortly after Tim Landis finished his extensive and expensive upgrades 308 GTS s/n 23361 was put into dry covered storage for the next three decades. Today she runs and drives great and comes with the tools and tool roll plus the jack kit and jack bag. Only 37,270 original miles.

Introduced in 1977 at the Frankfurt Auto Show, the 308 GTS’s styling still draws compliments today. Its transverse, mid-engine, four-cam V8 offers more than adequate performance with great sounds, while the sleek Pininfarina designed and Scaglietti built 308 stands as one of the most beautiful and timeless street model Ferraris ever built, epitomizing the first of Ferrari’s now-long-line of best-selling V-8 Ferraris. The 308 GTB and later GTS were the first of the 2-seater V-8 Ferraris—smaller, lighter and more nimble than the larger 12-cylinder street GTB Ferraris. As such, the 308 GTS has always been and will always offer the incomparable topless “Magnum PI” carburated Ferrari experience. Thanks to the 308’s low sweeping body lines and the sounds of the well-proven, high-revving V-8 right behind your seat, every trip to dinner, Sunday brunch or your local coffee shop is a great-sounding, user-friendly driving experience.

Upon arrival we drained almost eighteen gallons of old gas that had gone off with time, flushed both gas tanks and then added four gallons of fresh gas. Because rubber fuel lines break down internally over time we replaced the rubber fuel line from the left tank to the fuel pump, removed and cleaned the fuel pump filter and replaced the rubber line from the fuel pump to the carbs. We next sprayed oil down the carbs and then carefully turned the engine over. It turned over easily and freely. We installed a good used battery, used spray start and 308 GTS s/n 23361 started easily. Once running we checked the coolant level when warm, added a gallon of coolant, checked the brakes, clutch and tire pressures. We then added another four gallons of new gas and went for a drive. 308 GTS s/n 23361 went easily through the gears, the brakes pulled straight and strong, the oil pressure matched factory specs and the cooling system worked well. She goes straight, hands-off, with no shimmy and brakes in a straight line while going smoothly and effortlessly through the gears. The engine bay and the under panels, belly pan and suspension are in good condition. Much of the original smog equipment is in place!

Today the paint on 308 GTS s/n 23361 is very nice with no signs of spot repairs over the years. All panels have excellent gaps and fit. There is no evidence of accident repairs to the body, underside or chassis. There is a pressure dent on the front, driver’s side corner of the nose panel and a few minor chips in the paint, as one would expect from a car now 46 years old!. The trim, gaskets, window glass and lenses are also in excellent condition. The leather on the seats and door panels is in excellent condition. The dash covering is in excellent condition, thanks to a Velcro attached dash cover. S/n 23361 is fitted with four-point Simpson racing seat belts but still has the original factory seat belts in place. The carpets have been protected by throw rugs and are also in excellent condition. 308 GTS s/n 23361 is mounted on an expensive set of 16 x 7 front and 16 x 8 rear Ferrari Speedline wheels fitted with 205/55VR16 Bridgestone RE71 front and 245/45 VR16 Bridgestone RE71 rear tires which show as new but are well past their date code. The lightweight Euro bumpers integrate well and look great! To be on the safe side 308 GTS s/n 23361 could use a 30k mile cam-belt service which includes new cam belts and cam seals, new accessory belts and hoses, new tensioner bearings, plugs, fuel hoses, a new A/C receiver drier, fresh R134 Freon, a new water pump, engine and trans oil changed and the brake fluid and coolant flushed plus and a full set of tires, all of which can be done for $8-$10k or less. While technically California smog legal, s/n 23361 is not for sale in California because of California’s punitive smog laws. A great looking, great sounding, great driving, user-friendly 1978 USA model 308 GTS that will not disappoint. Fly in for an impressive test drive or watch our driving video. Today she comes with the tools and tool roll plus the jack kit and jack bag and has only 37,270 original miles. Priced to sell at $59,950 or best offer