Finding The Right Car

What exactly is hard about it? It’s the most produced color combination and the most produced body configuration and they made way more euro versions than us versions.

Maybe I am missing something but what exactly is the issue here? You’re not asking for a blue GTB or something.

You didn’t fill out your profile so no idea where you are but I still don’t know the issue. Post this again in two years when you’re ready or buy and someone will offer you a red/tan Euro GTS for sale in minutes.

 

Welcome - one idea might be to include finding & importing your car direct from Europe when the time comes - another might be to consider a little leeway in your requirements so you don't forever miss out on good cars

 

Finding a red/tan 308 seems difficult?

 

This is kind of amusing as the LAST thing I wanted was a red/tan Ferrari, but that's what I ended up with because it's all I could find.

So here's something actually useful, or at least this is how I went about finding my car, so I hope it will be useful for you.

I'm 52 and wanted a Ferrari ever since I was 12 years old. When I was 17, I saw a Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 randomly on the street and fell in love (I really have a thing for wedge-shaped cars). I decided that's the car I wanted. For 35 years that was my "dream car" until I finally made it a reality just this past October.

The challenge with the 308 GT4 is that it's far more rare than the 308 GTS, so you already have it a little easier. But almost everyone who owned one repainted it "resale red" in the late late 80s to mid 90s, whereas by the time the 308 GTS QV was being produced, red was the most popular color. However, I wasn't too picky about color, but I didn't want red because every Ferrari is red. I go to a lot of car events and I didn't want to be "just another red Ferrari" on the field.

Like you, I started somewhat-seriously looking a couple of years before I was ready to purchase. I lurked around these forums, read a whole bunch of books and articles about the car I wanted, spoke with owners, and did everything I could to completely understand what I wanted and what I was looking for. In my head I formed the perfect car: 1975 Ferrari Dino 308 GT4, Blu Sera Metalizato, Beige leather interior, Euro model.

When I finally got to the point that I was ready to buy and started the serious search, that was like searching for a needle in a haystack. As far as serious contenders, I came across six cars in total and ALL of them were red/tan, except for one, which was yellow. The yellow one was really nice, but ultimately the seller changed his mind and kept the car. I ended up with a 1975 Ferrari Dino 308 GT4, Red, Beige leather interior, US model. BUT, there was a secret this car was hiding… its original color was Verde Pino Metallizzato (which is a dark pine green). And that was pretty much my second favorite color… and it has now become my favorite color as it's currently getting restored back to its original color.

But how did I find this car? I pretty much refused to buy on an auction site, like Bring-A-Trailer, because prices were only increasing and people were over-paying just to get into a Ferrari. I searched all the typical sites like Auto Trader, cars.com, etc., and found nothing… well, I found one, but the guy never responded to the four emails I sent and never answered his phone when I called. So I tried something a little bit different… networking.

I searched for cars for sale here on this forum, no luck, then posted a "wanted" ad. I joined some Facebook groups and posted a "wanted" thread. This turned out pretty useful as four people responded with legitimate leads for cars they had for sale. All were red with tan! I went to a local Ferrari mechanic, introduced myself, and asked if he knew of anyone that might have a 308 GT4 for sale. Turns out, he did. There was a yellow one and I was ready to buy it as it was really, really nice… but that's the one the seller back out of and decided to keep it. But literally the next day, that mechanic called me again and said another client was selling his. It was red with tan, but the car was perfect. When I found out it was green originally, I snapped it up in a heartbeat.

In the end, the color didn't matter, so the only real box this car didn't tick was being a Euro model. I didn't want US model due to the bumpers and side markers. But in the end, that didn't matter at all—in fact, I've grown to kind of like those big bumpers now. The car I have now is exactly the car I wanted, and I wouldn't want a different one (once it's done getting painted).

I don't know if that helps you any, but if you want to find the right car, you have to put yourself out there and make it known. The car will find you, as it did me. I just told a few folks in a few public forums that I was ready to buy one, and suddenly six materialized in a two week time span. But only one of them was the right car, and it found me. If you're just looking at "for sale" ads and auctions, you're going to be waiting a long time and fighting multiple other people for it. If you go the route I did, then you're going to be the only person looking at that car and you don't have to fight anyone else for it.

A Ferrari 308 GTS QV, red with tan interior is one of the most "common" (for lack of a better word) Ferraris you could be searching for. I can't fathom why you might be having difficulties finding one.

Good luck.

 

In support of the OP, I decided to mount a "car-finder" search, using the specs given, looking at all the "usual suspects" on a coast to coast internet search.

I found one red/tan 1985 QV GTS with 5,000 miles for $175,000, and another with a quoted 26,000 miles for $125,000. No idea if either was Euro.

OP, as the poster above recommended, put yourself out there....post WTB (want-to-buy) ads, haunt the forums such as this, go to local events, and (assuming you're ready with cash on hand for a wire transfer) the car you seek will appear in short order.

 

I would recommend widening your search specs a little. I was originally looking for an 84-85 QV Euro in Blk/Tan. There was only one available when I was ready to purchase but there were Red/Tan QV's around. 84 or 85 QV's are basically the same car. You just doubled the available cars in your search. Do you live somewhere where black seats are completely out? I am in TN and it gets very hot in the summer so I definitely wanted a light colored seat. Plus the A/C in the 308/328 is not great. I ended up getting an 88 328 GTS and it is a great car. I would even say a better car but to each his own.

As said on many of these threads, always get the best car you can afford. Easier to pay more up front for a car that has had all of the issues worked out than to get a cheaper version and deal with the expense of fixing it yourself.

Also, the time of year does affect prices somewhat. Driving season is just about to start so prices will be a little higher. Cars that have recently had major services will cost more as well.

Good luck with your search when you are ready. Searching is half the fun, especially when you know you can buy one.

 

Steve,
With specific requirements, it can take a while to find the right car, and patience is required, not all candidates will be worthy. You don't want to pass on a car that meets 90% of your "must have" list, but you don't want to settle for one that only meets 50% either.

Euro cars have significant differences that they aren't "just another" red/tan 308 - if those differences matter to you, then you can hold out - you might pay more, though, than for an equivalent US-market car. Some people in the forum have spent 6 months to a year waiting for the right car to come up, and as already said, networking, asking on the forum, checking with specialty sellers or independent mechanics, can spring the right car. Be ready to move quickly on it if you get a call from one of these leads! It's worth reading buying guides, DIY articles such as in the thread pinned in this forum, and spend time reading back on threads about maintenance, buyer's surprises, typical problems, etc, so that you are prepared to know what to look for, what issues you would tolerate pre-purchase, and so on.

I was very lucky in buying my late 84 Euro GTS QV (same spec as the 85, so you can consider late 84 as well, ie May-June 1984 production date - the last week of 1984 Euro production was late June 84, the 85s were just a continuation on the assembly line, no changeover as the differences had already been introduced). In June 2013, following a conversation on a Saturday morning about a Ferrari being on my bucket list one day, she suggested I should act and get one now. That afternoon, I checked the local free ad website and a late 84 Euro GTS QV, red/crema, that had been advertised for a few weeks in my home city was still listed. I messaged the seller that afternoon, got a reply, went to see and drive the car on the Sunday, agreed on a price on Monday, and I drove it home on Wednesday - less than 5 days from first starting to look to having it home in my garage! I was extremely lucky that my perfect specification car just happened to be available locally - but they are out there, and they do come up.

Bring a Trailer can a good resource, Euro QVs do come up a couple of times a year - when the Euros in North America are much more scarce, you can't ignore a good car that comes up there.

January 4, 2022 - 1985 red/tan Euro GTS QV sold for $79.3K USD: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1985-ferrari-308-gtsi-quattrovalvole-23/
March 10, 2021 - 1983 red/tan Euro GTS QV sold for $67K USD: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1983-ferrari-308-gts-quattrovalvole-13/ - with the Euro version, the differences from 83 through 85 are less significant than for the US versions. Biggest difference is that the zincrox coated steel panels (for a modest level of increased rust protection) were introduced in early 1984 production.
October 19, 2020 - 1983 Euro red/black Euro GTS QV for $60K USD: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1983-ferrari-308-gts-quattrovalvole-11/

Cheers,
Gordon

 

It can be discouraging shopping for these cars as a newbie -- even if you find the year/color/etc, it may not be a good car and there are a lot of little details to learn about and take into consideration. After being on the fence for many years, I shopped seriously for around 6 months before finding the right car. I initially wanted a 308 but ended up with a 328 since my focus changed more to finding a car that met certain requirements for condition and care and the right 328 came along. I came close to several 84-85 308 QVs, but the good ones sold fast. I barely had time to think about it never mind schedule a PPI.

So anyway, my reaction is that a red/tan GTS will easy to find but might be hard to buy. If I had to put a statistic on it, I'd say only about 1 in 6 cars got into the sweet spot of condition, care, and price. The other 5 may have been in lesser condition or overpriced (or both) and didn't make sense for me. If I was lucky enough to find that one car that was good, it was then a race to get things sorted out to buy it.

There really is a lot to learn to make an informed decision, so I'd suggest you start shopping now and use the time to ask questions and learn the ropes.

As far as the auction sites go, well, everything seems to be overpriced these days. Good market for sellers, that's for sure. There have probably been a half dozen red/tan 308 and 328 cars on BaT in the last few weeks alone. Some of them have been good cars. All of them ran higher in price than I felt was reasonable. If you use sites like BaT and you find a car you want, prepare to duke it out with people that have a lot of money to spend. In reality, you're better off finding a private seller off the beaten path if you can.

 

All it takes is time and money. Agree with other posters about being more open to broader options. There are lots of US cars that have the Euro valances added/changed.

If you are sticking with euro for performance, I personally think that the difference is not enough to matter to me.


Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat

 

The best cars trade hands without ever being advertised. Get connected with your local Ferrari world -- mechanics, club, etc. When you're -ready- (you have cash and garage and asked your wife) then put the word out. Someone will know someone who knows something.

Just don't be that guy who hangs around for decades and is always "about to" buy a car.

 

Truer words have never been spoke.

That's exactly what I found to be true when I was searching for my 308 GT4. If you're a seller and you want absolute top dollar for your car, then you put it on BaT. But if you're a seller who's deeply passionate about your car and want it to go to the right person, then you never advertise it. Plus, a lot of folks don't want to deal with the headache of online auction sites, or may not have that kind of time.

My car was owned by an enthusiast who wanted it to go to the right person. As it turns out, I was the right person! After we had made the deal, we discovered that I had actually seen the car once before at a very-limited-run cars and coffee (one of the only times the owner had brought it out to an event). I went through my photos and discovered I had 19 pictures of it from that event over seven years ago now. It was destiny.

Like I said, the right car fill find you… but it needs to know you're looking for it.

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Well, the last week of 1984 production for "euro" 1984 308s was the last week of december 1984: MY doesn't mean a thing as far as "euro" Ferraris are concerned.
And Black leather is more common, and more favored, than Beige leather on "Euro" cars; beige leather is really more suited to american taste; here in Europe, black leather would be the first choice.

Rgds

 

I think there's two main messages from all these replies…

1) Put yourself out there and make it known what you're looking for, the right car will find you.

I felt I wasn't making any real progress until I set out on foot and met people in person, once connecting with a local mechanic, I owned my dream Ferrari within five days.​

2) Have your ideal/dream spec/build in mind, but be flexible.

I had my dream spec in mind the whole time: 1975 Dino 308 GT4, blue over tan, Euro model. I got a 1975 Ferrari 308 GT4, red over tan, US model and I couldn't be happier. I was able to revert the color back to the original green (which I prefer over blue now), re-badging back to Dino during this process too, and the US model is what it is. So in the end, my "dream" changed slightly (color), thus I only missed one thing I wanted - Euro spec (which I don't even miss).​

These are used cars and you can build-to-spec a 38 year old car. But, if it has most of what you're looking for, then you're doing good. And, as was the case with mine, if it turns out to have once had what you wanted, you can always put it back to original (in my case, color and badges).

I want you to find your dream car and show it to us!!

 

"beige leather is really more suited to american taste"

Yep, Red/Tan in the USA, as Magnum intended!

 

Hi hi -

I have an '85 GTS euro, red/tan. Tis not for sale, but if you find yourself in Tallahassee drop me a line..

 

You think your criteria are tough... try only wanting a chiaro blue / tan combo CARB car! Took me 3 years! I'd be way in the money if I opened up my search to other colors (like red/tan) by now, but I know I'd always wish I waited for what I wanted.

 

Yes Mike.
It is of course a matter of "cultural difference" in taste:
- in most continental europe, a "proper" red Ferrari means for most people black leather; that means also that if you are looking for a "Euro" "Red/beige", it will be more difficult to find than a "Red/black", as the pool of cars is smaller.
- in the U.K, a very large number of red 328s have "Crema" leather and red carpets (and are RHD, of course). But I have never seen a french delivered 328 by the historic importer "Pozzi" with "Crema" leather.

Rgds

 

I agree with needing to get connected into the clubs and independent shops that see/sell cars. I bought my car through a broker before it was advertised anywhere, but I was also chasing cars all the other ways too (pre-BaT).

Here is my story:
Brian A - 308 Ownership since 2013

While the Red/Tan color combination is most common, all 308s are rare. Here is an educated estimate of how many cars were built each year:
3x8 Production Numbers by Year of Manufacture

It is easy for we owners to hyperfocus on the small differences between the various years and markets for the cars. It is good to have an ideal car in mind, but, as others have already said, keep an open mind about it. I had to decide between a 1985 Euro GTS and a 1983 US GTS and I chose the latter based on condition. I have absolutely no regrets.

 

And that right there is why we say to keep your options open, or keep an open mind. Just like Brian above, I ended up with a different car than I had configured in my head, and I literally could not be happier and I have no regrets.

By the way, a red/tan just went up for sale on BaT… not a Euro model, but it is a 1984 308 GTS QV.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1984-ferrari-308-gtsi-quattrovalvole-21-2/