1977 Ferrari 308 GTB -off to Australia

November 2009

Order number F174 was placed by then Ferrari agents, Brandon Motors with Maranello Concessionaires on the 18th January 1977 to be finished in Rosso Chiaro with Nero hide and carpets and air conditioning. In turn Maranellos Concessionaires managing director Mr Sean Bealey telexed the factory with their order on the 31st March 1977 for July production. The factory responded confirming the order on the 5th April 1977.

The car was invoiced to Maranello Concessionaires by the Ferrari factory on the 13th May 1977.Notes upon this invoice by Maranello Concessionaires, show the car being allocated the registration number RPK 906R and that Brandon Motors have been crossed out and “Press car” annotated on the invoice, making this what must be the first steel 308 GTB press/demonstration car. The car was registered for the first time on the 24th June 1977.The then list price (October 1977) was £11,997.18 plus delivery charges, number plates and road tax. Factory air conditioning adding another £374.40

Maranello Concessionaires kept the car for six months and sold it on the 20th December 1977 to Mr Alan Maddock of Scotland for £12,250, taking his 1977 Lotus Esprit back in part-exchange.

The third and last owner Mr Philippe Reid of Staffordshire, an engineer, bought the car from his friend and work colleague Mr Alan Maddock, with 12,000 miles, on the 25th May 1978.He has owned the car since having Graypaul maintain the car for him since. (Mr Maddock bought a 308 GTS, which apparently he regretted.) After 31 years of ownership, the time to use the car was just not available, hence the very reluctant decision to sell it.

I found the car and sold it to its new owner in Australia.