At the 1975 Paris Salon, Ferrari unveiled the Tipo F106 as a replacement for the Dino. Dubbed 308 GTB, the new model was powered by a 3-litre V-8 and proved to be a particularly enduring design—the basic concept remaining in production until 1989. The GTB was joined in 1977 by the open-topped 308 GTS, while in 1980 a smaller-engined version was introduced: the 208.

Conceived to circumvent a 38 per cent Italian tax on cars of more than 2 litres, the 208 featured a 1,991 cubic-centimetre derivative of the charismatic V-8. Visually, the model was virtually identical to its 3-litre stablemate. Criticism of the performance led Ferrari to introduce the 208 Turbo in 1982, while in 1985 a facelifted version was launched alongside the 3.2-litre 328.

Badged simply GTB or GTS (without the 208 prefix), this final 2-litre model was improved by the addition of an intercooler, while an IHI turbocharger replaced the earlier KKK unit. With a 0-100 km/h time of 6.3 seconds and a top speed of 253 km/h, performance was almost identical to that of the bigger-engined 328.

First registered in Perugia, Italy on 10 February 1989, chassis 80099 is beautifully presented in its factory-correct Rosso Corsa over a Nero interior. Imported to France in 2015, this lovely GTB benefitted from a full engine overhaul in March 2022, carried out by Charles Pozzi and costing in excess of €50,000. The car further benefits from the replacement of the ABS system in October of the same year, which cost more than €5,000. The Ferrari is accompanied by numerous invoices, a 2021 engineer’s report, and build data from Ferrari Classiche, in addition to tools and a jack.