1989 Ferrari 328 GTS Targa Coupé

Coachwork by Pininfarina Registration no. D328 OKO Chassis no. ZFFWA20C000066767

Footnotes

Ferrari's line of highly successful V8-engined road cars began with the 308 GT4 of 1973. Originally badged as a Dino, the all-new 308 GT4 2+2 took over from the preceding Dino V6. The newcomer's wedge-shaped styling - by Bertone rather than the customary Pininfarina - was not universally well received, but the performance of the amidships-mounted double-overhead-camshaft 3-litre V8 certainly was, and a new two-seater car using a dry-sumped version of the same power unit debuted at the Paris Salon in 1975. Built on a shorter wheelbase, the stunningly beautiful 308 GTB marked a welcome return to Pininfarina styling.

Subsequently updated with four-valves per cylinder, the 308 was superseded by the mechanically similar but larger engined 328 GTB in 1985. By increasing both bore and stroke, the quattrovalvole engine's capacity was raised to 3,186cc which, together with a higher compression ratio, revised pistons, and an improved Marelli engine management system, lifted maximum power to 270bhp at 7,000rpm. Top speed was raised to within a whisker of 160mph (258km/h) with the sprint to 60mph covered in 5.5 seconds.

On the outside, the elegant simplicity of Pininfarina's original 308 had been diluted somewhat by the addition of Testarossa-style moulded bumpers incorporating both sidelights and indicators and a deeper rear valance. Its underlying beauty though, could not be disguised. "If the sublime purity of the original shape has been corrupted, its striking appearance has not," declared Motor magazine. "In our book, this is still the most beautiful of all contemporary exotics - a gorgeous looking car."

Beneath the skin the tubular steel chassis remained much as before, with all-round independent suspension by double wishbones, four-wheel servo-assisted disc brakes and aluminium-alloy wheels, though the latter were increased in size. The interior too had come in for subtle revision and now featured improved instruments switch gear and heating. The 328 GTB/GTS continued in production until 1989, by which time almost 22,000 308/328s of all types had been sold, making the model the most commercially successful Ferrari of all time.

A pre-ABS model, this rare UK delivered 328 GTS' has had only four owners in total and has been part of a private collection for the last two decades. 'D328 OKO' comes complete with its original Ferrari wallet, service booklet, owner's manual, tool kit and jack, a spare wheel, a spare belt, V5C document, and current MoT.

Benefitting from a 2018 service by Stratstone Ferrari and a recent MoT, the car is described by the vendor as in excellent condition.