Unveiled to the world at the 1975 Paris Salon, the Ferrari 308 GTB is significant in any guise since this model replaced the Dino 246 GT and GTS to continue the lineage of two-seater, mid-engined cars from the marque, though adding V-8 power for added oomph. That layout continued in fine form with succeeding models enjoying acclaim into the 1980s and beyond. Fibreglass—or ‘Vetroresina’ in Italian—examples of the 308 are particularly special, however.

From a total of 2,897 GTBs built during a three-year production run that ended in 1977, just 712 left the Maranello factory with the Pininfarina-designed wedge-shaped bodywork built by Scaglietti in lightweight composite form. Later cars wore steel, were accordingly 150 kilograms heavier, while maintaining the same 255 brake horsepower, quad-camshaft V-8. As such, it is in ‘Vetroresina’ guise that the 308 GTB best stakes its claim as an agile driver’s car.

The configuration of this example, chassis 19889, is rarer still. Records show that only 154 ‘Vetroresina’ cars were delivered to the UK in right-hand drive. Since the transversely mounted, dry-sump, 2,926-cc engine breathed through the right-hand intake, the driver could lower the electrically powered window to hear the induction bark in its purest form, directly over their shoulder, as they worked through the five-speed manual transmission with gated shifter.

As documented in the supplying invoice from Ferrari (available to view on file), this car was ordered in March 1976. Imported into the UK by Maranello Concessionaires of Egham, Surrey, it was then sold by Lazenby Garages in Leicestershire, and registered in September of that year to a Mr D Woodhouse of Bakewell, Derbyshire. It was configured in Nero paint over a Nero Connolly leather interior—a colour combination it wears again today, having been painted Giallo Fly in the late 1990s—while air conditioning was ticked as a desirable optional extra. Records show it was registered in Ireland in 2005, and the engine rebuilt two years later by Ferrari expert Superperformance, before the vehicle sold again in 2013.

Its London-based consigning owner acquired the car in October 2015. Three years later, they paid £15,037 to marque specialist Barkaways. Work carried out included a thorough service, the fitment of a new cambelt, engine mount, and suspension bushes. It returned to Barkaways for an engine-out service and fuel tank maintenance in 2022 at a cost of £8,104.

This ‘Vetroresina’ retains its matching-numbers body and V-8 engine. The odometer reads 86,634 miles at the time of cataloguing, and the car is further accompanied by a sizeable history file, tool roll, jack, and spare wheel. This 308 GTB, in its coveted lightweight and rare specification, makes for an ideal way into classic Ferrari ownership.