The year is 1982, and you've just turned on your TV to the CBS station to watch Tom Selleck's Magnum PI which the Ferrari 308 was a part of since the show aired first in 1980. You'll first see the Ferrari 308 in the first episode, where Tom Selleck's goal is to take and keep the red Ferrari to himself, and he manages to do that after tricking the dogs, Zeus and Apollo, and getting Higgin's code. With Magnum PI upgrading Ferrari 308s every few seasons, the Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole came to the show in the third season. Even though not evident on TV, the Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole differed from other 308s used in the show. The most notable difference was that the Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole has a removable black roof section and black triangular-shaped louvers covering the glass in the sail panels. Additionally, at the front, it features the hood had louvers on the hood to aid the radiator air exit. Launched in 2982 at the Prestigious Paris Motor Show, the Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole features Ferrari's first engine with four valves per cylinder head, hence the name 'Quattrovalvole'. The new valve design increased power to around 250 horsepower, the highest in the Ferrari 308 model lineup. Magnum PI did good PR for the Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole as it became one of the best-selling Ferraris of its time. Its performance also helped the car sell itself, although power output was limited to 235 horsepower in the United States. How much is a Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole worth today? Roughly $80,000 could get you a reasonably kept unit, and with so many being available for sale, you could find one and be at the beach in a Hawaiian outfit like Tom Selleck would.
The United States was one of Ferrari's biggest markets, and when they introduced strict emission laws, especially against carbureted engines, solutions had to be found, and it had to be fast. Ferrari initially reduced horsepower by about 20% in the Ferrari 308 GTBi, which decreased emissions, but that resulted in lower sales since customers were disappointed by newer 308s having less horsepower than older cars. The next solution Ferrari had up their sleeves was to transition to a fuel-injected engine and, later on, add four valves per cylinder, thus spawning the Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole with Ferrari's first engine with four valves per cylinder and more horsepower, which buyers wanted. However, an engine with more power wasn't all that the new Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole got. It features sportier styling penned down by Pininfarina with subtle changes over other 308s. The interior also got some upgrades, such as the addition of a new air conditioning unit and a redesigned steering wheel. All these upgrades saw a price increase, but the Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole would still become Ferrari's best-selling model in the 1980s. At the time, the world, especially the USA, was keyed up on the success of NASA's Space Shuttle Program, which had the first female astronaut. Also, Ronald Reagan became president, and nothing could have made anyone with money happier than getting a Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole. Ferrari made 3,042 308 GTS Quattrovalvole at their Maranello plant in Italy, over four times as many fixed roof 308s produced between 1982 and 1985.
Initially, Enzo Ferrari had declared that his cars would only have V12s, which is one of the reasons why Ferraris with V8 and V6 engines would be known as Dinos. The Ferrari 308 was initially known as the Dino 308, but circumstances later changed, and it came to be known as the Ferrari Dino 308 by the time Ferrari was making the 308 GTS Quattrovalvole. However, the Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole was not an ordinary Ferrari with a V8. Adding four valves per cylinder to replace the older fuel injection system in the 3.0-liter V8 resulted in a power bump to a claimed 240 horsepower and 192 lb.ft at 7000 rpm. United States market units, however, had 235 horsepower at 6,800 rpm from the same engine due to the fitment of catalytic converters to reduce emissions. Maintaining Ferrari's rear-engine rear-wheel-drive layout, the engine in the 308 GTS Quattrovalvole sends power to the rear wheels via a transversely mounted 5-speed synchromesh transmission. Ferrari hasn't provided official figures, but it's estimated the Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole only takes less than 7 seconds to reach 60mph from a standstill. However, due to its lightweight tubular steel chassis and its part fiberglass body that weighs 3,230 pounds, the Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole could easily achieve a 160-mph top speed.
Nothing screams refined luxury and comfort as much as a 1980s Ferrari. Every touch in the Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole is an indulgence in lavish comfort and luxurious styling as it's ladened with the finest leather. The full leather seats adopted a newer design similar to the bucket seats in high-end supercars and sports cars today, with meticulous stitching and patterns on the backrests and bottoms. Instead of the full leather seats, buyers could opt for fabric seat centers at no extra cost. Leather extends beyond the seats to the center console, door cards, and dashboard, and if you're lucky, you might find a Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole with its original Ferrari-badged floor mats. Going back to the center console, it features a chromed gated manual transmission shifter that will excite any automotive enthusiast today. A myriad of controls, still on the center console, give the cockpit a sophisticated feel that you can only experience in classic cars, and ahead of the gear lever, two gauges sit angled upwards beautifully. In the Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole, Ferrari updated the steering wheel to a new three-spoke design with a triangulated section around the horn push. The AC vents, positioned below the radio, were also enlarged as the AC system received an upgrade. Everything else in the Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole remained similar to the offerings in regular Ferrari 308s.
Visually, the Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole retained the timeless and striking look of the Ferrari 308 family with its low lung and sleek profile. It looks best from the side profile, which showcases the car's aerodynamic design, giving the Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole a bullet-like appearance with some subtle changes from other 308s, such as the larger louvers behind the doors and black trimmed windshield and door surrounds. At the front, the distinctive pop-up headlights sit at the top of the front bumper and add a unique characteristic on the Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole as they did in most cars that got them before they got banned. Behind the headlights, the sleek hood, gently sloping downwards, hints at the V8 nestled beneath, and its sloping design not only exudes beauty but also ensures efficient airflow for optimal performance. Towards the rear, the Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole features matching taillights and signal lights elegantly integrated into the bodywork with a chrome classic Ferrari badge on the left side and the 308 Quattrovalvole badge on the side. We would have loved to see a chrome bumper bar, but Ferrari had dropped it in favor of a plastic bumper bar like the one used on the Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole. However, they kept the chrome exhaust tips, and the best part is that you get four of them on the 308 GTS Quattrovalvole to finish off the rear end's look.
The Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole was produced during Ferrari's large scale electrification era and hence got features that were almost unattainable in older models. For example, as standard, buyers could get electric windows and door mirrors, which improved convenience. But these are just minors considering what Ferrari did with the engine and transmission. For the engine, Ferrari rebuilt the 3.0-liter V8 with new cylinder heads with four valves per cylinder and a new fuel injection system to serve the added valves. The Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole also has an upgraded electronic ignition system incorporating a coil, distributor, and ignition module to serve each cylinder bank. Lastly, the 5-speed transmission in the Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole has an altered gear and final drive ratio to handle the engine's increased power output, enhancing the car's overall performance.
Today, the value of the Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole stands at $80,000, making it one of the best classic Ferraris you can get. Its value has steadily increased since the 2010s, and some units sell for figures well over $100,000, making it collectible. So, if you want to recreate that Magnum PI look not only on Halloweens but also every day, why not get a Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole? If you're in the market for a Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole, you might find one listed on Exotic Car Trader, so ensure you watch out for our Ferrari listings. Also, we list all sorts of classic cars, so give us a call if any of Exotic Car Trader's classic car listings entice you.
Revered for its connection to the iconic television series Magnum PI, the Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole captured the hearts of enthusiasts, showcasing a blend of performance and style. It also stands as an icon in Ferrari's history as the Quattrovalvole engine marked a significant leap for Ferrari, being the first engine with four valves per cylinder. Luckily, its status doesn't affect its appreciation rate since it's among the most affordable Ferrari classics today so take this as the sign you were waiting for to buy one.
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The Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole, a symbol of its time, remains a cherished classic, embodying the pinnacle of automotive excellence and serving as a testament to Ferrari's enduring legacy of engineering brilliance. Also, its connection to the Magnum PI TV show puts it in a list of the most iconic movie cars desirable by more than just car enthusiasts.
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