Ferrari 308 GTS - The Dream Car

 

Welcome back everyone to our vehicle of the month series. This October we’re featuring the complete restoration story by Mark and his dream car - a stunning Ferrari 308 GTS. 

 

Back in August, Mark got in touch with us to enquire about our bespoke Car Facts Disc range for his club: Driving Scotland and has since joined our growing community of clubs that share our passion for 'keeping car's memories alive'. His 120 club members can now order Driving Scotland branded discs directly from our online store.

 

When we first saw Mark's story uploaded to his Car Facts Disc we were instantly hooked on the level of pride and attention to technical details that he has shared. It's an impressive restoration and Mark has certainly worked hard to add small bits of individuality to his Ferrari. Our favourite shots include the post detailing reflection and Mark's home car port (not a sight you see everyday). 

Without further ado, here's Mark's Ferrari 308 GTS...

 

 

My Ferrari in the Mancave for photoshoot for Octane Magazine in October. 

 

 

The 308 in the Graypaul Ferrari showroom heritage area in May 2022 following the four year restoration. The day Mike Fernie from Drivetribe came to interview me on the history of the car for his YouTube channel.
 

 

Modern high capacity cooling fans with manual override switch. Re-cored radiator as well. Original fans inefficient and bulky.

 

 

Hand crafted in aircraft grade stainless steel. Beautiful grille to enhance the four 'Cibie A35' spot lights that were 'New Old Stock' sourced in Europe. These lights are the closest match to the original lamps fitted to the Ferrari 288 GTO and Lamborghini Countach in the 1980's.

 

 

The car undergoing full suspension rebuild. All wishbones powder coated and new bushes. New Spax fully adjustable coil overs.

 

 

The incredible machining work on the block and cylinder heads carried out by Serdi Engineering.

 

 

The new liners ready to go into the aluminuim block following the re-bore. 

 

 

New valves in place in the cylinder heads. 

 

 

Both cylinder heads all refurbished (Looks like 8 Aliens looking up at you).

 

 

New pistons all assembled and ready to go in the block.

 

 

New pistons fitted to one bank of the V8 heart of the car.

 

 

Crankshaft after being re-balanced.

 

 

The heart of the car after full rebuild and ready to be bench tested. The 3 Litre V8 Engine with four Twin Choke Webber 40 DCNF Carburetors. The engine produces 237BHP.

 

 

The SPAX adjustable coil overs ready for fitting.

 

 

Another image of the front end suspension having been refurbished. 

 

 

All suspension and brakes renewed or refurbished.

 

 

Mid-way during the restoration at Clydesdale Classic Cars in Scotland.

 

 

The new lighting being tested post wiring at Clydesdale Classic Cars.

 

 

The original US Spec front end profile with ugly and large rubber front bumper and thin grille shown on the phone image. The new and re-worked front end using original deep chin spoiler and European 308 bumper.

 

 

The original (Re trimmed in USA) blue seats and door cards (Not nice) !

 

 

The new re-trimmed interior. Leather hides sourced in contrasting tan and beautifully crafted into seats/door cards and door pockets by 'Transcal' in Scotland. Transcal even used the original door pouch locks from the old door cards and onto the new ones. An absolutely stunning transformation for the car.

 

 

The new door cards and door pocket with original clasp and locks.
 

 

Custom designed floor mats by to compliment the new interior.

 

 

The full interior.

 

 

A small touch of individuality by me to enhance to the polished door sills. Custom designed 308 logo and lettering that was laser etched onto the metal.

 

 

I spent a lot of time designing unique and custom luggage for the Ferrari 308. I settled on an Image of a young Enzo Ferrari with a selection of Ferrari 308's.  The logo 'WHAT CAN BE CONCEIVED CAN BE CREATED' taken from a 1970's advertising campaign. The manufacturing of the luggage by 'Camat' design in Scotland.

 

 

Final detailing with 2 stage polishing and wax finish done by NRJ Customs in Linlithgow (No longer in business).

Brings out the best in the Blu Sera Metallic paint.

 

 

Post detailing reflection.

 

 

My very rare set of 'Compomotive' Split Rim alloys. These date back to 1979 and were produced by Compomotive Wheels for Porsche and Ferrari back then. They still boast the original black Ferrari centre caps.

The wheels took months to refurbish and were the last parts to be fitted following the completion of the restoration. 

 

 

One of the Compomotive wheels.

 

 

The car back at home in the car port. Note the mural on the garage doors behind depicting an Italian cellar with a 'Barn Find' Ferrari inside. A nice way to hide the wooden garage doors.

 

 

The car parked at Gleneagles Hotel one sunny day in Scotland.

 

 

The Ferrari looking very small between some of it's friends at home.