September 24 2008
Unique gem? 1978 Ferrari 308 Cabriolet
We must admit, here at Classic Car Hunter, that we were a bit shocked when we saw the first picture of this Ferrari. At first, we thought it was maybe a replica based on a Pontiac Fiero, as there are so many around. Then we read the story behind the car, and knew instantly we had to feature the car.
This car was apparently custom made for a rich American industrialist, either by Ferrari in Italy or by Ferrari USA. No official records have been found. Then, in one way or another, the car was shipped to Belgium, with a load of illegal diamonds hidden in the back. The Belgian customs managed to intercept the car, perhaps by accident, and confiscated both the car and the goods in the car. Customs then laid up the car in their warehouse and after 10 years, in 1991, the car was auctioned off in a public sale. Where a gentleman from Antwerp bought the car, never even registered it, and stored it away securely until it was bought by the current owner in 2006 after months of negotiating.
The current owner has repaired some bits on the car, like the boot where customs discovered the stones. He has tried to register the car and get it on the road but because there is no documents for the car it has been impossible to do so. Reason why it has come up for sale on ebay Belgium.
It has some modifications compared to regular 308s. Most noticeable, apart from the roof obviously, is the front of the car with the big air inlet. The seller claims it is some kind of prototype version front that inspired the 308 GTS and 288 GTO. Not sure whether the engine, an F105-type is non-standard, but other than that it only has about 300kms on the clock.
The seller claims this car is unique, but we would be interested to find out why there is a Ferrari 308 Barchetta, and how they relate to one another.
