One to Buy: 1 of 3 ex-works / Jean Blaton 1984 Ferrari 308 GT/M
/
Before the 288 GTO emerged as Ferrari’s bona fide Group B homologation special, executives at Maranello commissioned a small series of prototypes for initial evaluation. However, rather than conduct this programme exclusively in-house, the lion’s share of work was farmed out to Ferrari’s technical partner, Michelotto, who had famously already turned the 308 GTB into a rally winner.
Starting work on what became the 308 GT/M in late 1982, Michelotto designed a custom tubular spaceframe, fabrication of which was handled by Carrozzeria Auto Sport of Bastiglia. To this, rose-jointed and fully adjustable double wishbone suspension was added along with ventilated Brembo brake discs, four-piston calipers and a rally-style hydraulic handbrake.
Significantly, Michelotto opted for a longitudinally positioned engine mounted centrally in the chassis as opposed to the transverse arrangement used by the base 308.
Engine-wise, the 308 GT/M got a highly developed iteration of Ferrari’s recently released Quattrovalvole V8. Thanks to its hot camshafts, uprated pistons and radical valve timing, peak output came in at around 370bhp. Michelotto also collaborated with Kugelfischer to produce a competition-spec electronic fuel-injection system.
Another interesting feature of the GT/M was its Hewland gearbox mounted upside down. This was done in order to accommodate an F1-style Borg & Beck twin-plate clutch with crank-alligned shaft. To finish, the GT/M’s rolling chassis was cloaked in functional composite bodywork. All told, the completed machine weighed in at just 840kg.
In total, three copies of the GT/M were produced, the first of which (chassis 001) will be going under the hammer at RM Sotheby’s Monaco sale on April 25th.
Having served its time as a muletto, chassis 001 was sold via Ecurie Francorchamps to renowned Belgian privateer and Ferrari VIP, Jean Blaton, who retained it until early 1996. During his time with the car, Blaton occasionally raced it at club level with much success.
Since then, the car has resided with a further three custodians and spent time in both Europe and the United States.
