Ferrari’s aren’t cheap, by any stretch of the
imagination… but some are more attainable than others. Like the 308, which is typically more affordable than most
Prancing Horses. But not this one.
As you could probably tell by just looking at it,
this is no ordinary 308 GTB (or GTS for that matter). It’s a Group B rally
machine converted by Michelotto – a rare series that served as the progenitor
of the 288 GTO and the F40 that followed, kicking off a series of hypercars
that lead straight to today’s LaFerrari.
One of just 15 examples made between 1978 and ’85,
this 308 GTB Group B machine was delivered in February 1983 to the Pro
Motorsport team. It had the older two-valve engine (as opposed to the later
pioneering quattrovalvole versions).
But the competition-tuned 3.0-liter V8 still kicked
out an impressive 300 horsepower – a good fifth more than the stock, road-going
European model. Stripped out and fitted with lighter bodywork, it was also a
good 40 kg lighter than the street version, helping further optimize
the power-to-weight ratio.
Chassis number #18869 won five events in ’83, and
another five the following season – as well as the Spanish Rally Championship
title. With that kind of history behind it, Artcurial expected this rally
machine to fetch between € 800k and € 1 million – about US$ 1-1.2 million at current
exchange rates – when it crossed the auction block at the Le Mans Classic this
past weekend.
But as best we can tell, it didn’t end up selling.
Which means it’s (ostensibly) still up for grabs, for those who can stomach the
idea of shelling out seven figures for an “accessible” Ferrari.
