Could this turbo Ferrari be the bargain of the #76MM Bonhams sale?

Never mind what the badge says, this 1983 model does look superb with its Rossa Corsa Pininfarina coachwork and retrimmed tan leather interior. The car has covered just 35,000 miles from new, has had a recent cambelt change and service, and is complete with current MoT and original leather handbook wallet. All of which makes the presale guide price of £45,000 look rather tempting. 308 GTBs – which look virtually indistinguishable – can sell for twice that.

So what is a Ferrari 208 GTB? It’s essentially the beautiful GTB the world knows so well but with a small-bore 2.0-litre turbocharged version of the V8 behind the seats. Like the Dino 208 GT4 before it, the 208 GTB was created as an Italian market special to get around punitive VAT for cars above 2.0-litres.

It might have saved on tax but you’re right, it didn’t go as fast. The 208 GTB started out normally-aspirated with a paltry 155bhp and, along with its 208 GT4 forebear, gained a reputation as the slowest Ferraris ever made. But by the time this car rolled out of Maranello in 1983 a KKK turbocharger had been bolted on – making it the first turbocharged road-going Ferrari – and power was up to 220bhp, just 35bhp short of the 308 GTB at the time. 

And of course, it looks just as good… or perhaps even better courtesy of those NACA ducts ahead of the rear wheel arches. Other visual changes included additional cooling slats beneath the front grille, matt black vents behind the retractable headlights and a split rear bumper with quad exhaust pipes set in pairs, along with ‘Turbo’ badging.

Bonhams’ 1983 car was bought new by Signor Bergonzoni of Bologna, one of only 437 208 GTB Turbo coupes to be made. It was regularly serviced up to 1990 then laid up for the next 20 years before coming to the UK and being recommissioned (by Foskers) in 2015.

The world’s most affordable mid-engined V8 Ferrari? It would have to be up there. If nothing else, having this car would put you in a pretty exclusive1980s Ferrari turbo club. Other members? The 288 GTO and F40…