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Ferrari 308 GTS (1977-85)

Total Production: The total production of the Ferrari 308 GTS from 1977 to 1985 was approximately **2,826 units**.
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Price New: In 1975, the new price for a Ferrari 308 GTS in the UK was approximately **£8,000**.
£8,000 in 1975 is equivalent to approximately **£90,000** today.
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Rivals: In 1975, the main rivals of the Ferrari 308 GTS and their approximate new prices in the UK were:

- **Jaguar E-Type**: Approximately £2,000
- **Porsche 911**: Approximately £5,000
- **BMW 3.0 CSL**: Approximately £3,000

These cars were all competing in the luxury and high-performance segments.
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Recorded in UK 2025
As of 2025, the DVLA records approximately **150 Ferrari 308 GTS (1975-85)** vehicles registered in the UK.
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PLEASE NOTE: The information provided below is given in averages across Northern Ireland at the date specified. Petrol reflect average prices for four star fuel in litres.

Road Tax: In 1975, the road tax for a Ferrari 308 GTS in the UK would have been based on its engine size and horsepower. Given that the Ferrari 308 GTS had an engine capacity of around 3 litres, the road tax would have been approximately **£30 per year**.
£30 per year in 1956 is equivalent to approximately **£900** today.
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Petrol: The average price of four-star petrol in 1975 in the UK was approximately 16.05p per litre. 16.05 pence per litre in 1975 is equivalent to approximately **£1.30 per litre** today.
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Insurance: The average cost of insuring a Ferrari 308 GTS in the UK in 1977 is estimated to have been between £300 and £500 annually, depending on factors like driver profile and location.
In today’s terms (2025), the estimated annual cost of insuring a Ferrari 308 GTS based on its historical cost (£300–£500 annually in 1977) would equate to approximately £2,493–£4,155 when adjusted for inflation. However, due to modern collector car insurance practices and reduced usage patterns typical of classic cars like the Ferrari 308 GTS, actual premiums today are likely lower—ranging between £800–£1,200 annually depending on driver profile and policy specifics.
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1977/COST OF LIVING UK
In 1977, the average annual salary in the UK was approximately **£3,500**.
£3,500 in 1977 is equivalent to approximately **£40,000** today.
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In 1977, the average price of a house in the UK was approximately **£13,000**.
£13,000 in 1977 is equivalent to approximately **£150,000** today.
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In 1977, the average price of a new car in the UK was approximately **£2,000**.
£2,000 in 1977 is equivalent to approximately **£23,000** today.
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In 1977, the average price of a loaf of bread in the UK was approximately **21 pence**.
21 pence per loaf in 1977 is equivalent to approximately **£2.40** today.
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The estimated cost per mile for a bus journey in the UK in 1977 ranged from £0.05 to £0.10, depending on the region and specific fare structures applied by operators at that time.
In 2025, a bus journey costing between £0.05 and £0.10 per mile in 1977 would equate to approximately £0.43 to £0.85 per mile after adjusting for inflation using Consumer Price Index data from those years.
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The average price per mile for a taxi journey in the UK in late 1977 was approximately £0.45–£0.50, with slight regional variations depending on location and specific fare structures outside London.
The average price per mile for a taxi journey in the UK in late 1977 (£0.45–£0.50) would equate to approximately £0.85–£0.95 per mile in late 2025, adjusted for inflation using estimated Retail Price Index values over this period.
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The average cost per mile for a railway journey in the UK in 1977 was approximately 3.5 pence per mile.
The average cost per mile for a railway journey in the UK in 1977 (3.5 pence) equates to approximately 27.79 pence per mile today, adjusted for inflation.
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Approximately 21 million vehicles were using UK roads in 1977.
As of 2025, there are approximately **41.4 million vehicles** on UK roads.
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According to what is known, the United Kingdom ended 1977 with a population of 56,183,968 people. This figure represents a slight decrease of 19,048 individuals compared to the population in 1976.
The estimated population of the United Kingdom in mid-2025 is projected to be approximately 68,180,606 people.
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Ferrari 308 GTS (1977-85)

Common Faults
Please Note: Common Faults in Regularly Used Vehicles vs. Low-Mileage Stored Vehicles that have been used consistently over many years, accumulating approximately 10,000–12,000 miles annually, are more prone to common faults due to regular wear and tear. These issues typically arise from the natural aging of components subjected to frequent use, such as engine parts, suspension systems, brakes, and tires. In contrast, vehicles with low mileage that have been stored or preserved are likely to experience different types of issues. These vehicles are often better maintained to ensure their longevity and may avoid some of the typical wear-and-tear problems seen in regularly driven cars. However, they can still face unique challenges such as degradation of rubber seals, corrosion from prolonged inactivity, or fuel system issues caused by old or stagnant fuel.

The **Ferrari 308 GTS** (1977-85) is known for a few common issues that owners should be aware of: – Australian Car.Reviews](https://www.australiancar.reviews/recalls-faults-ferrari-308-1975-85/)

1. **Engine Valve Problems**: The sodium-filled engine valves can fail at the joint between the head and the stem, requiring engine rebuilds – Australian Car.Reviews](https://www.australiancar.reviews/recalls-faults-ferrari-308-1975-85/).
2. **Timing Belt Replacement**: The timing belts need to be replaced every 50,000 kilometres or five years – Australian Car.Reviews](https://www.australiancar.reviews/recalls-faults-ferrari-308-1975-85/).
3. **Oil Consumption**: Excessive oil consumption can occur due to worn valve guides or pistons from the carbureted engine – Australian Car.Reviews](https://www.australiancar.reviews/recalls-faults-ferrari-308-1975-85/).
4. **Transmission Issues**: The manual transmission can resist shifting to second gear when cold – Australian Car.Reviews](https://www.australiancar.reviews/recalls-faults-ferrari-308-1975-85/).
5. **Clutch Mechanism**: A change in the clutch mechanism in 1980 reduced the effort required to depress the clutch pedal – Australian Car.Reviews](https://www.australiancar.reviews/recalls-faults-ferrari-308-1975-85/).
6. **Overheating**: Fuse boxes can melt due to heat from poor connections, cutting power to the twin radiator cooling fans and causing overheating – Australian Car.Reviews](https://www.australiancar.reviews/recalls-faults-ferrari-308-1975-85/).
7. **Power Windows**: Slow power windows are common due to the grease in the mechanisms becoming sticky over time – Australian Car.Reviews](https://www.australiancar.reviews/recalls-faults-ferrari-308-1975-85/).
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Generations/Trim Levels
The **Ferrari 308 GTS** had **three main generations** during its production from 1977 to 1985:

1. **308 GTS (1977-1980)**: This was the initial version with a 2.9-liter V8 engine producing around **255 horsepower**.
2. **308 GTSi (1980-1983)**: This version featured fuel injection, increasing the power output to around **270 horsepower**.
3. **308 GTSi Quattrovalvole (1982-1985)**: The final version had four valves per cylinder, boosting the power output to around **300 horsepower**.
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Engine
The **Ferrari 308 GTS** was fitted with a **3.0-liter V8 engine** known as the Tipo F106 AB. Here are the power outputs for different versions:

- **308 GTS (1977-1980)**: Produced around **255 horsepower** at 6,600 rpm.
- **308 GTSi (1980-1983)**: With fuel injection, it produced around **270 horsepower** at 6,600 rpm.
- **308 GTSi Quattrovalvole (1982-1985)**: With four valves per cylinder, it produced around **300 horsepower** at 7,000 rpm.
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Performance
The **Ferrari 308 GTS** offered impressive performance for its time. Here's a breakdown of its performance:

- **Engine**: 3.0-liter V8
- **Power Output**: 255 horsepower at 6,600 rpm (for the carbureted version)
- **Torque**: 210 lb-ft (284 Nm) at 5,000 rpm
- **Top Speed**: Approximately 158 mph (253 km/h)
- **0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) Acceleration**: Around 6.2 seconds
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Rivals
In 1980, the main rivals of the **Ferrari 308 GTS** in the UK included the **Porsche 911** and the **Jaguar XJ-S**. Here's a comparison of their performance:

- **Porsche 911 Carrera**: The Porsche 911 Carrera was equipped with a 3.0-liter flat-six engine producing around **200 horsepower** and **225 lb-ft of torque**. It could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in approximately **5.8 seconds** and had a top speed of around **150 mph** (241 km/h).
- **Jaguar XJ-S**: The Jaguar XJ-S had a 5.3-liter V12 engine producing around **295 horsepower** and **288 lb-ft of torque**. It could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in around **6.0 seconds** and had a top speed of approximately **145 mph** (233 km/h).
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Designer/Dimensions
The **Ferrari 308 GTS** was designed by **Leonardo Fioravanti** at **Pininfarina**. Fioravanti was responsible for some of Ferrari's most iconic designs, including the Daytona, the Dino, and the Berlinetta Boxer.

As for its dimensions:
- **Length**: 4,230 mm (166.5 inches)
- **Width**: 1,720 mm (67.7 inches)
- **Height**: 1,120 mm (44.1 inches)
- **Wheelbase**: 2,340 mm (92.1 inches)
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Spares/Specialists NI
You can locate **Ferrari 308 GTS spares** in the UK and Ireland through several sources:

1. **Eurospares Ltd**: They offer a wide range of genuine and OEM parts for the Ferrari 308 GTS.
2. **Superformance UK Ltd**: They specialize in parts for classic Ferraris, including the 308 GTS.
3. **Redbay Cars**: They provide second-hand and remanufactured parts for the Ferrari 308 GTS.

For **maintenance and servicing** in Northern Ireland, you can consider:

1. **McMillan Specialist Cars**: Located in Antrim, they offer comprehensive maintenance and repair services for prestigious marques, including Ferrari.
2. **Moy Auto Services**: Located in Moy, Co. Tyrone, they specialize in various prestige vehicles and offer high-quality service.
3. **Charles Hurst**: Located in Belfast, they are an authorized Ferrari dealer offering servicing and repairs.
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Racing
The **Ferrari 308 GTS** was primarily designed as a road car and did not have a significant presence in professional racing. However, it did make occasional appearances in amateur racing events and track days. Its performance and handling characteristics made it a popular choice among enthusiasts for club racing and competitive driving.
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Valuation
In 2025, the value of a **Ferrari 308 GTS** in the UK can vary depending on its condition, mileage, and specific trim level. Generally, prices range from **£25,367 to £161,182**.
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Clubs
There are **Ferrari clubs** in Northern Ireland for owners! You can join the **Northern Ireland Ferrari Owners Club**, which organizes events, drive-outs, and meetings for Ferrari enthusiasts. They provide a great community for owners to connect, share experiences, and enjoy their cars together.
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