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It’s funny how certain cars take a long time to get the recognition they probably always deserved. For years the Ferrari 308 was simply the affordable way into an old Ferrari. Today, really good early cars have become properly collectible, and when you drive one it’s not particularly difficult to understand why. We’ve owned a couple of 308s over the years and, for us, the steel-bodied carburettor GTB is still the sweet spot. This is a 1979 car, making it one of the last of the carburettor-fed cars before Ferrari moved to fuel injection. It’s also a UK-market RHD GTB – one of only 211 RHD steel-bodied carburettor GTBs produced – with the desirable dry-sump engine. Four Weber carburettors, a gated five-speed gearbox, no power steering and a relatively small, light Ferrari around you. They’re not ridiculously fast by modern standards, but that’s almost the point. You can actually use the car and enjoy what it does. And the noise is fantastic. This particular car has covered just 35,612 miles and has a superb history going right back to its 500-mile service at Maranello Ferrari in 1980. More importantly, it has been properly maintained. The suspension was comprehensively rebuilt in 2021 with Koni dampers, springs, bushes, seals and bearings. At the same time the brakes were overhauled, cambelts replaced and an upgraded A/C compressor fitted. The gearbox was serviced in May this year, followed by an engine service and another cambelt change in July. It shows when you drive it. We’ve just completed a 550-mile journey in the car and it drove beautifully. Tight suspension, lovely gearbox, great oil pressure and it just feels like a 308 that has actually been looked after rather than one that has spent its life sitting in a collection. The previous owner went considerably further, driving it from the UK to the Ferrari factory in Maranello and back in June – 2,381 miles without issue. Finished in Rosso Corsa over Nero leather, it was repainted in its original colour in 2016 and remains a beautiful, very well-presented car. It also retains its original handbooks and service wallet, tool roll, jack, manuals and an extensive history file. Values of the best 308s have moved considerably as collectors have started separating the different generations and specifications. The early carburettor cars in particular are now recognised as something quite different to the later injected cars. After another 550 miles in this one, we can understand why. A really lovely example of one of Ferrari’s great analogue road cars – and a car we’d happily drive anywhere.

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Deane Motors

Independent Dealer

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https://deanemotors.ie/

Deane Motors

173 Google reviews

I bought my first Classic Pajero from Simon recently. From my first interaction with Simon to delivery I had a very pleasant experience. When viewing the vehicle, I took my time and Simon let me take as long as I wanted and he was there in the background to answer any questions I had. I felt very comfortable throughout the viewing. Due to my personal circumstances, the purchase took a little longer than usual, and Simon was very understanding about this. I came away with a beautiful Pajero and felt confident and extremely happy with my purchase. I can’t speak highly enough of Simon and his team. Finally I’d just like to say, I’m not a collector or dealer, I just turned 50 and decided to treat myself, so if you are thinking of your first classic car, I can highly recommend Deane Motors and Simon.

I can’t recommend Simon highly enough. Over the years, I have trusted him with both selling my own classic cars and purchasing vehicles on my behalf, and every experience has been exceptional. What sets him apart is his remarkable attention to detail. Nothing is overlooked—from paint depth, chassis condition, originality of components, and matching numbers, to the quality of previous restoration work and even the smallest signs of wear that many others would miss. His inspections are incredibly thorough, honest, and backed by genuine expertise rather than just trying to make a sale. You either have an eye for a car or you don’t, Simon does. I also requested him inspect a car on my behalf in Holland before I committed to buying, without seeing the vehicle myself. His assessment was accurate, balanced, and completely trustworthy, giving me the confidence to make informed decisions. If he recommends a car, I know exactly what I’m getting. If they advise walking away, it’s for a good reason. On the sales side, he has always represented my cars professionally, accurately, and with complete integrity. Communication can be on a fine line at times throughout the process and yes it can be frustrating and having spent time with Simon I appreciate how busy he is running the workshop from a mobile ordering parts and keeping the likes of his PA (Simon Walsh) on his toes In the classic car world, trust is everything, and Simon has earned mine time and time again. Whether you’re buying, selling, or need an expert pre-purchase inspection, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him. His knowledge, meticulous eye for detail, and unwavering honesty make them one of the very best in the business. Keep flying the classic car flag lads, Iv tried over the years to sell classic cars and failed.. these are not new cars, these are old cars trying to be kept alive by the likes of Deane Motors..Backboned by the legend Ollie Deane

Simon is an absolute gent, I was stuck for a way to get out to the dealership and he picked me up from Dublin City centre (now that was him being sound, don’t expect him to do that for you too!) but the whole way out I got to learn alot about life and business from him! A very genuine man, absolutely does not fit the stereotype of a sleazy salesman trying to rip you off! He’s genuinely prioritising a great customer experience for you over squeezing any bit of extra cash out of you! They’ve a serious collection of motors on offer there too! I highly highly recommend 🫡

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Ferrari 308 GTB (1 of only 211)

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