1977 Ferrari 308 GTB 'Corsa'

Footnotes

Introduced at the Paris Salon in 1975, the stunningly beautiful 308 GTB – Ferrari's second V8-engined road car - marked a welcome return to Pininfarina styling following the Bertone-designed Dino 308 GT4. Badged as a 'proper' Ferrari rather than a Dino, the newcomer had changed little mechanically apart from a reduction in wheelbase, while retaining its predecessor's underpinnings and transversely mounted quad-cam 3.0-litre V8 engine, which now featured dry-sump lubrication. In road tune this superbly engineered power unit produced 255bhp, an output good enough to propel the aerodynamically efficient 308 to a top speed of 150mph (240km/h).

Produced initially with glassfibre (vetroresina) bodywork - the first time this material had been used for a production Ferrari - the Scaglietti-built 308 GTB used steel after April 1977. Further developments included the introduction of an open-top GTS version with Targa-style removable roof, the adoption of Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection (1980) and, finally, revised cylinder heads with four valves per cylinder (quattrovalvole) in 1982).

With Ferrari at that time concentrating on its Formula 1 programme, having ceased participation in sports car and GT racing, it was left to independent specialists to develop its road cars for competition. Foremost practitioner among the latter was
Michelotto, which had started out as a Ferrari dealer in Padova before setting up its own highly regarded race shop. Indeed, so successful were Michelotto's Ferrari 308 Group 4 rally cars that he gained the sobriquet 'Ferrari's tuner'. With this success came factory recognition: Michelotto assisting in the development of the 288 GTO, F40, and 333 SP.

One of Michelotto's many projects was a Group B development of the Ferrari 308 GTB, which incorporated relatively few changes from standard specification while still affording rally-winning potential. One significant departure from the more restrictive Group 4 regulations was Michelotto's choice of the quattrovalvole engine, which in the Group B Ferrari 308 produced 310bhp, a 70 horsepower increase over the standard road car, courtesy in part of Bosch's K-Jetronic electronic fuel injection. Rose-jointed suspension and up-rated Brembo brakes helped keep the extra performance in check. It is estimated that Michelotto built 15 Ferrari 308 GTB cars to Group B and Group 4 specification.

Originally owned by Herb Wolf, this particular Ferrari 308 GTB 'Corsa' was built to Michelotto Group B specification for the United States' importer, Angelo Pedretti. FIA HTP was obtained in October 2011, and circa 2013 the Ferrari was imported from the USA to join a European private collection. At that time it was stated that the engine had recently been rebuilt by Motion Products, and that the then owner had successfully raced the GTB at the Cavallino Classic on numerous occasions. The car comes with an extra set of 15" OZ wheels. Requiring a service, having not run recently, this Michelotto-inspired 308 GTB is the perfect car for anyone wanting to enjoy the many Ferrari-themed competitions and other events without needing a big budget.