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1982 Ferrari 308 GT/M Berlinetta Competizione
Chassis No. 001
Highlights:
The direct progenitor to the Ferrari Supercar line
Designed and purpose-built as Ferrari’s Group B challenger
First non monoposto Ferrari to have a carbon composite body.
Developed by Michelotto and Ferrari; based on the V-8 308
Important and influential, directly leading to the 288 GTO and F40
Purchased in 1984 by famed first owner, Jean “Beurlys” Blaton
The first of just three 308 GT/Ms; only three prior owners
Incredible performance with 308-based racing engine
Highly documented, equipped, versatile, and ready to enjoy
Overview: A little-known, but incredibly important competition car developed jointly by Michelotto and Ferrari as Ferrari’s FIA Group B rally contender, leading directly to the 288 GTO, 288 Evoluzione, and ultimately the shattering F40 supercar. One of just three 308 GT/Ms built in all, purchased in 1984 by famed Ferrari racer, Jean “Beurlys” Blaton. With only three prior owners, 308 GT/M s/n 001 is “on the button” and ready to deliver an incredible experience.
Specifications: 2,927 cc Tipo 0026 P DOHC 90° V-8 engine, four valves per cylinder, Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection and Magnetti-Marelli electronic ignition, 370 hp @ 8,900 rpm, Hewland five-speed manual gearbox, four-wheel independent suspension with coil springs, Brembo hydraulic four-wheel disc brakes, wheelbase: 92.125”
Due to the rapidly escalating costs and the technical and logistical demands required to compete at the top echelon of Formula One by the late 1970s, Ferrari focused its “works” racing efforts on this singular competition arena and increasingly formalized its relationship with the Michelotto tuning and racing organization, which owned the official Ferrari service center in Padua, Italy. To hard-core sports-car racers and fans, the name Michelotto carries a well-deserved reputation for its outstanding race-car preparation and dominant performances from the company’s inception in 1969, eventually becoming in effect a “semi-works” arm of Ferrari, preparing and racing every non-Formula One Ferrari to the present day.
As stated in the book, Ferrari 166 to F50 GT: The Racing Berlinettas, “In fact, after the close of the “Servizio Assistenza Clienti,” Michelotto built and developed all the racing versions of Ferraris for the factory’s customers who wanted to go racing; Michelotto can be considered the Customer Racing Department of Ferrari and is dedicated totally to Ferrari, only carrying out the factory’s wishes.”
During the 1970s, Michelotto moved from strength to strength, using the rowdy Ferrari Dino-powered Lancia Stratos to great effect and winning a succession of Italian rally championships. Following the Stratos’ retirement, Ferrari’s new V-8 powered 308 GTB was Michelotto’s weapon of choice from 1978, since it had already been homologated by Ferrari for FIA Group 4 rally competition and was known to be incredibly agile with its relatively short wheelbase and stable on uneven surfaces. Featuring distinctive colors, high-profile Pioneer audio sponsorship, and exceptionally well prepared cars, Michelotto’s drivers dominated early-1980s European rallying, focusing on tarmac events where they could exploit the strengths of their 308s and score championship points.
While not (officially) directly involved with Michelotto’s Group 4 rallying program, Ferrari was nonetheless impressed and partnered with Michelotto for a more extreme purpose-built car to contest the new Group B formula, which spurred development of many of the wildest high-performance cars ever conceived. The relatively unrestricted new Group B “evoluzione” regulations allowed Michelotto to take the basic 308 GTB concept to the extreme with the mid-mounted V-8 engine turned from the road-car’s transverse placement to a new longitudinal position within the tubular chassis for ease of access to the engine and gearbox. Lowered engine placement also provided a low center of gravity. Production-based underpinnings were modified for competition use. The first chassis was completed in 1983 and the body was constructed from cutting-edge carbon-fiber composite and Kevlar panels from a hand-formed aluminum buck. Quite similar in appearance to the 512 BBLM GT, the new car’s body was purposefully aggressive with short front and rear overhangs, radically flared rear fenders, a tall rear wing, and plenty of cooling vents. The V-8 engine was based on that of the 308 GTB road cars, using the alloy cylinder block and the new Quattrovalvole four-valve cylinder heads, plus competition-spec pistons, cams, and valves. Fuel delivery was via a custom system utilizing a Kugelfischer pump and Bosch injectors. Producing a reliable 370 bhp at 8,500 rpm, the engine’s power was delivered by a five-speed Hewland competition gearbox. Weighing just 840 kilograms (1,850 pounds), acceleration was incredible, with a top speed quoted at 270 kilometers per hour (167 mph).
This new Group B missile was designated 308 GT/M, with the “M” denoting Michelotto. Developed jointly by Ferrari and Michelotto, the 308 GT/M was relentlessly tested at Ferrari’s Fiorano circuit and as the prototype was wring out, various wheelbases and vital components were tested. Despite the program secrecy, word of the 308 GT/M leaked out and one of Ferrari’s most committed racers, Jean “Beurlys” Blaton of Belgium, who purchased the 308 GT/M prototype car – s/n 001, the car offered here – during 1984. The second 308 GT/M was raced just once, at the 1984 Rally di Monza, where driver Lele Pinto demonstrated the car’s great speed and promise, leading the event until a crash forced its retirement. While very quick, the 308 GT/M was soon eclipsed by the new wave of turbocharged, all-wheel-drive competitors that would take rally competition to ridiculous and lethal extremes resulting in the cancellation of Group B altogether after the Tour de Corse in 1986. Later, a third GT/M was built for a Dutch collector, using the remaining spare parts still on hand.
While the racing life of the 308 GT/M was very short and only three were built in all, the program was an important step in the development and DNA of two of Ferrari’s most important ‘supercars’ of the 1980s and beyond, particularly the 288 GTO, 288 GTO Evoluzione, and the shattering F40. With only three prior owners from new, 308 GT/M s/n 001 was raced by Mr. Blaton and the third owner; as such, it is properly sorted and equipped with a full roll cage and fire-suppression system. Since the engine is basically a race-prepped version of the basic four-valve V-8 used by the regular-production 308 road cars, parts are still readily available and maintenance is relatively low in cost compared to other classic Ferrari racing cars. Importantly, 308 GT/M 001 is of course eligible for a multitude of today’s most desirable touring, racing, or classic rally events and with its adjustable suspension settings and outstanding purpose-built serviceability, it is an immensely versatile and capable machine that comes with two seats, allowing you to share the incredible experience it delivers. The car is presently fitted with a 6-speed sequential Hewland gearbox; however, it is accompanied by the original Hewland 5-speed, plus an a spare set of wheels and an optional carburettor fuel system. As now offered, 308 GT/M s/n 001 is very well-documented and accompanied by extensive service records, and is and ready to go, offering an incredible experience and performance while being quite surprisingly easy to drive and forgiving, despite its incredible all-around performance potential. Extensively covered in a number of books and magazines, 308 GT/M sn/001 is a fascinating and important component of the rich Ferrari and Michelotto racing heritage and the direct progenitor of Ferrari’s 288 GTO, 288 Evoluzione, and the F40 supercar. Do you really have ALL of the Ferrari Supercars without their direct progenitor?? Priced to sell at $999,000/OBO All Ferrari/Lamborghini trades carefully considered.
