Call for Price

One of the most legendary Ferraris to ever appear on TV, this 1979 Ferrari 308 GTS (VIN #28251) is well-known as being the first car used in the filming of the pilot and Season 1 of the Magnum P.I. TV series of the 1980s.  Illustrious character Thomas Magnum, P.I. (Tom Selleck) drove a Ferrari 308 for the entire eight-season series.  This particular 308 GTS is one of only about 15 cars used on the show while it was in production on Oahu, HI, from 1980 through 1988. Specific modifications were made in order to accommodate Tom Selleck’s height of 6’4. Padding was removed from the seats so he would sit lower in the car, and the seats were bolted as far away from the steering wheel as possible to give Selleck more leg room.  Today, this 308 GTS features a refinished black interior with the classic Rosso Corsa exterior, an added passenger side mirror, and an XDI electronic ignition.  Letters of authentication from both Marcel Massini and Matthias Urban from F-Register are included with the sale. This vehicle is also believed to be the car famously driven cross-country by the late Car and Driver writer, P.J. O’Rourke, as noted in his captivating essay, which can be found here. At the end of the article, O’Rourke mentions the car was destined for a movie called “Don’t Eat the Snow from Hawaii,” which turned out to be the name of the pilot episode for Magnum P.I.

Prior to its television debut, the Pininfarina-styled Ferrari 308 was first introduced as a GTB (GT Berlinetta, or coupe) variant at the Paris Motor Show in 1975 as a replacement for the Dino 246.  Just two years later at the 1977 Frankfurt Motor Show, the targa top 308 GTS was introduced to the public.  Interestingly, earliest versions of the 308 featured bodywork entirely made of glass-reinforced plastic with a production run of just 808 vehicles. In June 1977, the glass-reinforced plastic was switched to steel.  All GTS' were steel-bodied and used a wet sump V8 engine which produced 240HP, reaching a top speed of 151mph and traveling from 0-60 in 7.0 seconds. In total, there were 3,219 GTS' and 2,897 GTBs made from 1975 to 1980.

If you are an avid fan of Tom Selleck and the Magnum P.I. series, or have an appreciation for a Ferrari icon of the 1980s, do not pass up this opportunity to own a piece of history. Additional photos and documents available upon request. Contact us today.

(201) 350-7991