Ian's Ferrari 308 GTS (1980)
This beautiful Ferrari 308 GTS, chassis 29279 has been very much part of the Barkaway family for almost 15 years. Affectionately known as ‘Frank’ the Ferrari, it has undergone a four year restoration and has been the chosen transport piece for his son Ben Barkaway’s wedding in August 2022.
The Pininfarina-styled 308 GTB was revealed at the Paris Motor Show in 1975 as a direct replacement for the 246 Dino, whilst the introduction of the targa topped GTS came later at the 1977 Frankfurt Motor Show. #29279 is one of the later carburettor cars before fuel injection was offered in 1980. The 308 was made famous by the television series Magnum, P.I. in which the series' lead, Thomas Magnum (Tom Selleck) drove a 308 GTS around Oahu for eight seasons while on his investigations, from 1980 to 1988.
To show some of the work that goes into a Barkaways restoration we have showcased the project via a series of videos throughout the whole process that you can view on this page and via our YouTube channel.
The car was first registered on the 1st January 1980 by the Northern Ferrari dealer Huddersfield Garages Ltd. as their demonstration car and covered 5000 miles in the first five months. A tribute to how enjoyable this model is to drive.
Confirmed as one of the 184 RHD GTS carburettor models produced and with matching numbers, it has an extensive history file dating back to 1980, complete with the original service book, toolkit, order form and bill of sale from the Ferrari factory.
The car has only had six owners in total, one of which kept the car stored and unused for a period of five years in the nineties, confirmed by a letter in the history file.
In 2018 Ian Barkaway embarked on a full, no expense spared restoration – the likes of which has never been carried out on a 308 model. The restoration confirmed the car’s originality with original body number stampings still in place after 40+ years.
With a goal of making the perfect 308, to concours standard, the restoration involved stripping the car right back to bare metal before having the shell media blasted to assess the required metalwork.
Following bodywork and the repainting of the car, the 3.0 V8 was extensively rebuilt. Starting with machining the bores on the block, new pistons were sourced, before the rebuild continued with cleaning and rebuilding the cylinder heads and carbs with new components. Following the rebuild of the gearbox and differential, the engine went back together and was delicately eased back in to the car.
All the suspension components and brakes were then either overhauled or replaced.
The interior has had a complete retrim in period correct Connolly Vaumol leather, whilst every component on the car has been either refurbished or replaced.
Ian debuted the completed restoration of his beloved 308 GTS at the 2022 Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance.
