On December 11, 1980 my life was ceaselessly altered after I watched the 2-hour pilot episode of Magnum, P.I. I used to be a 14-year-old child within the 8^th grade, already inquisitive about vehicles however that present simply grabbed me. The entire premise of the present was merely transformative to a 14-year-old; residing in Hawaii basically at no cost, fixing crimes, having adventures along with your finest buddies, all that was nice however attending to drive that Ferrari 308 GTS daily made it appear good.

That present was my introduction to Ferrari’s vehicles. I had heard the identify however didn’t actually know what they regarded like or represented. This was not helped by me residing in Tucson, Arizona the place a Ferrari was not the most typical factor to see.

Now that is the place it will get attention-grabbing. Just a few months after I noticed the Magnum pilot, I used to be on the B. Dalton bookstore in Park Mall and located a guide referred to as The Illustrated Ferrari Patrons Information. The worth on the guide was about $10, and I used to be capable of get my mother to purchase it for me.

This guide turned my bible and I took it with me in every single place, studying and rereading concerning the completely different fashions. I nonetheless personal the guide.

Just a few weeks later, my good friend Tim Furrier noticed me with the guide and requested me what I considered the vehicles. I instructed him that I assumed they had been superb. His remark was, “Come to my home after faculty I need you to see one thing.”

After faculty that day we acquired to Tim’s home and he took me to his dad and mom storage. He opened the storage and in entrance of me was a Ferrari 308 GT4. It was the primary Ferrari I noticed in individual. I used to be surprised.  

His dad let me sit in it, and we even acquired a trip within the automotive. It was a life altering second.

A couple of week later I used to be strolling again house from the bus cease and seen a man in his entrance drive with a automotive on a jack. The automotive was a 308 GTSi and it had a flat tire. I went over and requested if I may assist out. He let me take away a number of large nuts whereas he acquired the spare out of the entrance of the automotive. Collectively we acquired the tire again on the automotive and he requested if I wished a trip house. It was 1981, I lived in a really protected gated neighborhood, and it was a Ferrari, so after all I mentioned sure. We took the highest off the automotive and drove me to my home, taking the longest route doable. It was the form of trip you give to a 14-year-old automotive loopy individual. I by no means acquired his identify however stay ceaselessly grateful for the expertise, one which modified my life much more than the trip with Tim’s dad.

Again to our Choose of the Day. It’s an actual duplicate of the automotive I modified that tire on, and the automotive that was my past love in all the world of vehicles, a 1981 Ferrari 308 GTSi in Rosso Corsa paint with a tan leather-based inside.

Now whereas this will begin an argument, I keep that the Ferrari 308 GTS is the one most necessary automotive within the historical past of the corporate. I do know that sounds loopy, however the 308 made extra folks conscious of the Ferrari model for the primary time than every other single mannequin. Earlier than debuting on Magnum alongside Tom Selleck, many common folks weren’t even conscious that Ferrari was a automotive firm. It’s the automotive that kickstarted the corporate as a fascinating and iconic model to the common American and all the pieces that got here afterwards constructed on that weekly TV look.

The 308 GTSi right here is described as a two-owner from new instance that has coated a complete of solely 11,654 authentic documented miles. They add that it has by no means been in an accident, has a whole service historical past and its authentic window sticker, software roll, and manuals.

This automotive is the mirror of the automotive in Magnum, P.I. and appears to be as shut you may get to purchasing a model new 1981 Ferrari 308 GTSi situated in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

I’ve owned a 308 GTS and nonetheless really feel a bit like an fool for promoting it. At 6’4” tall, I simply didn’t match comfortably within the automotive, even after having it modified in the identical manner that the movie crew modified the automotive for Tom Selleck. I ought to have simply pushed it with the highest off on a regular basis like he did and saved it. Oh properly, perhaps I’ll get one other.

The draw back of promoting mine is that the costs have gone up on the 308 sequence vehicles, although not as a lot as Porsche 911s of the identical period. On the asking value of $89,000 I actually really feel that this automotive is a stable and market right alternative. Sure, it has the incorrect shift knob and the shift lever has been prolonged. I might simply spend the $500 {dollars} to return it again to authentic and never be frightened about it.

Individuals who declare to be Ferrari consultants will inform you that the unique 2-valve injected 308 GTSi is gradual. Significantly?!? Any automotive of this period is gradual when in comparison with virtually any trendy automotive, together with a V6 Toyota Camry. You purchase a automotive like this due to what it’s and never what it isn’t. What this 308 represents is the automotive that the remainder of the model has been constructed on. It’s a trendy, iconic, and enjoyable automotive to drive and rather more unique and attention-grabbing than, say, a Porsche 911SC. Magnum drove one on his adventures and the chance to seize that period of the Eighties occurs each time you drive this automotive. This can be a actually superb sounding instance and properly value a glance.

Sure the 308 GTS continues to be my favourite automotive. I undoubtedly want one other.

To view this itemizing on ClassicCars.com, see Choose of the Day.