I think that most people who are actually in the market for a 308 would either (a) not care and hope that it would provide them a small discount, or (b) plan to repaint it. I don’t any serious buyer would be turned off because of that. either way, Merlin Group stepped in and that auction is already at $67k, one full week before hammer time. They clearly know the value of such a low mileage one-owner, fully traceable car - especially after they dust it up and fix those small paint nicks
It’s not a concours level car regardless the documented miles. The exterior needs to be repainted and the engine and the suspension look like they’ve seen better days. Also the interior has been neglected for some time now. However, it has a potential. Everything has a price.
That particular car has not been driven much (probably less than 100 miles) in the last 7-8 years based on the records, and that is probably why it shows neglect and needs some TLC. I think that class of 308 is also somewhat risky, as folks here are well aware of what happens when these cars sit unused. So I don't think this one will command big $$ unless some novice bidders get entranced by the low miles. I think Merlin will stop bidding when prices cross the point of reality. I looked at a couple 308 QV cars with 10-15K miles that were in similar condition, and I have to say it was a disappointing and sobering experience. I wanted to think the cars were special because of the low mileage, but in reality they were neglected and just sat around deteriorating for 9-10 years. For the right price they would have been a great opportunity for a buyer that wants to put some love, attention, and $$ into the cars, but the sellers were just not realistic with pricing. I saw many higher mileage cars in far better shape that showed the owners cared, and better justified their asking prices.
This one is tough to pinpoint but I'm going to say that it lands in the high 80's but wouldn't be totally shocked if it goes higher.
I think it can go higher. Low mileage is always a strong driver for valuation of classic cars and Merlin knows it. They can put some hours cleaning it up, touching up the nicks and turn that car into a $125k car because it will still have had one owner, low mileage and now will look and sound perfect on sexy professional BaT pics. It will also have the Merlin seal of approval, which bidders value and pay for. This car was a low mileage QV and also ran very little (700 miles under 20 year ownership). The engine bat was all clean and pretty, seats were freshly conditioned, and all the pictures were drool worthy https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1984-ferrari-308-gtsi-quattrovalvole-22
Seeing that it is now at 75k with 6 days to go I think I will increase my prediction. I think it is going to end up into the 6 figures and that it will end up to be too high for a dealer and a private party will end up with it. This is an interesting one.
I just don't understand how a low milage, garaged car can have such a nasty looking engine bay and under carriage. I have 30,000 miles on one of my cars and it still looks like new underneath. Be interesting though to see how high Merlin will pay to flip it.
I am interested to see how high Merlin chases that car. I generally have a high opinion of them, but I looked at one of their 328s that was in similar condition to this 308 -- rough/filthy engine bay and lots of wear and tear, and they were asking $115K. They did not put much effort into that car at all but sure jacked up the price. I expected better. I am not going to nitpick the car on BaT (buyers need to do their own homework) but that car is missing the rear GTS badge and the "308" is low. Out-of-whack rear badges are usually a clue that some paint/bodywork was done, or some other type of repair. In one of the repair invoices, it says the rear bumper was shimmed to straighten it out. So I bet something happened back there. At least the lights are in the right places.
There was never a "GTS" or "GTB" badge on the rear of a Quattrovalvole. The badges on the car in question are in the correct locations. Nothing unusual about them at all.
The black turbo that ends tomorrow is bad ass, if the buyer returns it to stock , I would be interested in the turbos and all related components for my car. Mine I bought on Bat in December and it has a prancing horse twin turbo kit on it, it’s quick but the turbos are small and not intercooled and the fuel and ignition system is stock
I don't I saw this BaT 308 GTBi discussed in this thread, but I have a question: What are the two 90 degree tubes coming out of both sides of the rear frame, near the exhaust in the last two pictures, numbers 105 and 106? I've never see these before, any insights? https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1980-ferrari-308-gtbi/?prompttm=1#listing-bid-container
According to the seller they are rear crash bar supports. I really liked that car, was watching the auction.
Sure - Those tubes are air ducts, part of the OEM factory USA spec cooling package for cat converter equipped cars. They direct air towards the cat mounting area. Depending upon who you ask, this air was originally intended to cool the differential and/or the pair of cats. You can see them in this picture, as I removed mine when I fitted a non-cat exhaust (picture is a layout of all of my removed parts!): Image Unavailable, Please Login
It was pretty rough. Especially for being one owner low mileage car. Too bad the seller didn’t invest some money to make it look cosmetically better. A little TLC would take him a long way. Well, great buy.
Dave M @dave80gtsi to the rescue, THANK YOU! I had a 1980 GTSi many moons ago, and didn't recall this "feature", I think because somebody had already fitted an Ansa system. You explained a minor mystery to me, these are easily removable cooling ducts and not "rear crash bars." Good to know. As far as today's BaT selling of the 1985 NA GTS QV goes, yeah, a little rough... but yes, well bought!
I think the owner was trying to stick with the old patina deal keeping it all original. Personally if it were me I would of had the engine compartment detailed when the service was done and touched up what needed to be done on the exterior and interior of the car, I think that would of brought the car into the six figure's. However with that being said I can see what the owner was trying to do by selling the car as it is in an original state, it can be a roll of the dice. Do we know if it was a dealer or private party that won the bid?
