Ferrari 208 1987

Key Facts:

• One of 437 examples built exclusively for the Italian market
• Only 22,400km from new
• Extensively maintained, with no less than 43,000 EUR invested in the last ten years
• Fully documented with original service book and a collection of invoices

HISTORY

The Ferrari 208 Turbo GTS is a unique and rare variant in Ferrari’s lineup, especially cherished for its distinct balance of performance and compact design. Built primarily for the Italian market to take advantage of tax breaks on engines below two liters, the 208 Turbo GTS features a 2.0-liter, twin-valve V8 engine equipped with a turbocharger, delivering around 220 horsepower. Though smaller in displacement, the turbocharged setup gave the 208 an exhilarating power delivery, ensuring that it could hold its own among larger-engine models of the time.

Externally, the 208 Turbo GTS is visually similar to its sibling, the 308 GTS, featuring the same sleek, wedge-shaped body, retractable headlights, and distinctive Targa-style roof that can be removed for open-air driving. The car stands out, however, with unique “Turbo” badging and subtle visual cues that hint at its boosted performance. Inside, the 208 Turbo GTS sports Ferrari’s classic interior layout of the era, with a gated shifter, analog gauges, and high-quality leather appointments, creating an intimate, driver-focused atmosphere.

On the road, the turbocharged engine offers a different driving experience compared to naturally aspirated Ferraris of the time, with a noticeable surge of power as the turbo spools up. The combination of compact dimensions, turbocharged performance, and Ferrari’s signature handling makes the 208 Turbo GTS a thrilling, unique model and a piece of Ferrari history, beloved by collectors for its rarity and distinct character within the Ferrari lineage. Ferrari produced only 437 units of the 208 Turbo GTS, making it one of the rarer models in the Ferrari lineup.

OUR 208 Turbo GTS

Our example was delivered new through Autocentral S.P.A. in March of 1987 as shown by the original service book. Our car maintains a perfect condition throughout, with several invoices of the last ten years showing an incrddible amount of care and money invested, especially in its mechanical wellbeing. After its life in its native country, the 208 was bought by a German collector in 2015, who registered it in the Stuttgart area. He spent no less than 29,000 EUR on the GTS during his ownership, mainly at official Ferrari dealer Gohm in Böblingen. He then sold it to the current caretaker, a prominent Ferrari collector, who sent the 208 to Michelotto in Padova to make it even better. Around 13.600 EUR later, the 208 is almost indistinguishable from a showroom-new Ferrari. With 22.400km on the clock, this is without a doubt one of the best collector 208 Turbo GTS in the world.

Our example comes with a great amount of documentation going back to its life in Italy until the last invoices from Michelotto in October 2023. Original service book and books, cancelled Italian title, current German title, and many invoices document the car’s history in a very complete way. The 208 also sports its original toolkits and spare wheels!

Currently available for sale with us in our Munich showroom on German title and European taxes paid.