1984 Ferrari 308 – Classified of the Week

If you’re going to modify a car, it takes commitment and dedication. And that’s for any car, not just a classic. You need to have vision and drive and a firm goal of what the finished car will look and drive like. You can’t start modifying a car and give up halfway through. If you do, you’re just going to ruin the car. And this is as true for a Mini as it is a Mercedes. However, it is especially true if you’re going to modify something like, well, a Ferrari. 

Ferraris are, generally speaking, pretty much on the money as soon as they’re built. The Italians know what they’re doing when it comes to screwing a car together, and as such, there isn’t generally any need for people further down the line to change things. The exception, of course, is if said Ferrari is to go racing. In the event of apex hunting, one needs to modify the car to suit. Which is where this 308s journey began. 

It was prepared, many moons ago, as a road registered race car. In race trim, with roll cage, bucket seats and modified engine with dry sump system, it was eligible for the Maranello Challenge. And it did indeed race in said event, but only twice. After that, it was used for demonstration runs and charity events. 

They say the life of a race car is a hard one, as race cars often never return from the track. The rigors and stresses are too much, and the car is normally killed in the pursuit of racing. However, this car only raced twice, and as such, it had ample life left in it. So, it was pointed back toward road use – very, very fast road use, mind. It is a race Ferrari after all. 

Now, this Ferrari 308 stands on custom split-rim alloy wheels, the suspension has been lowered (and is still race kit) and the body has been brought back to a bright red shine with all racing livery removed. At first glance, it looks like a very nice car, but get closer and things get a bit more aggressive. The roll cage remains, kevlar bucket seats are fitted along with harnesses, there is a plumbed in extinguisher system and the rest of the cabin is stripped out. This is a car boasting function over form.

The cooling system has been replaced, the engine uses a dry sump system as we mentioned earlier, there are AP Racing brakes up front and Alcon units out back, there is a custom exhaust system and the suspension is fully adjustable. It’s a proper, serious bit of kit. A true weekend warrior of a car, one to have in the garage and take for the occasional, full chat blast. It’s a modified Ferrari, but one that has been done so very well indeed. And while this Ferrari 308 is not cheap at £74,995, it is cheap if you pretend it’s a ‘many millions’ 288GTO. Which it is, sort of, if you squint.