As the successor to the Dino 246, the two-seater 308 GTB entered production in 1976 to mark the start of the incredibly successful series of naturally aspirated, mid-engined V-8 Ferrari road cars. It was a bloodline that spanned right the way through to the critically acclaimed 458 Speciale of 2013.

Then, in 1978, the marque introduced the 308 GTS complete with its removable roof panel. Finished in red and with a moustachioed Tom Selleck behind the wheel, the model would earn global fame as the car of choice for Hawaii-based private investigator Thomas Magnum in the hit crime drama, Magnum, P.I.

According to Ferrari factory data (available to view on file), the 308 GTS offered here was delivered new in April 1979 to supplying Parisian dealer, Charles Pozzi S.A.—the eponymous one-time Formula 1 World Championship Grand Prix starter and race team owner, who became the official French importer of Ferraris. This example was elegantly specified in metallic Blu Dino over a Pelle Bianca leather interior and accompanied by a vinyl black “targa”-style roof.

Subsequently purchased by a second custodian, a doctor based on the Côte d'Azur, stamps in the service book and invoices on file show that this left-hand-drive car was looked after by official Ferrari centre Monaco Motors between 1979 and 1986. It was then acquired by Marcel Petitjean, a celebrated French classic car collector, in November 1986, at which point the odometer was noted at 14,000 kilometres. He kept the car for the next 35 years.

Acquired by the consigning owner in February 2022 and taken to the Middle East, chassis 27005 showed 15,566 kilometres at the time of cataloguing. The 308 GTS will require recommissioning prior to driving following a period of static display.

Presented in its glamorous factory colour configuration and notably retaining its matching-numbers V-8 engine and five-speed, open-gate manual gearbox, this car offers a hugely appealing open-air Ferrari driving experience wrapped up in beautiful Pininfarina styling.