Ferraris tend to do fewer miles than even other expensive sports cars, so it’s not unusual to find a decades-old example with only 20- or 30,000 miles (32-48,000 km) on the clock. But this stealthy Nero black 328 has covered an insane 596 miles (959 km) from new, meaning its 3.2-liter V8 and that all-important open-gate manual transmission aren’t even run-in.
Exactly why the original UK owner opted to store the right-hand drive car away after covering just 556 miles (895 km) in the months after its May 1989 delivery isn’t clear. But we know it spent 25 years living on a hydraulic lift in his heated garage before it was brought back to life by a Ferrari specialist. Work involved to get it back on the road included overhauling the brake servo, fuel metering unit, and shock absorbers, plus carrying out a major service, and since that happened the car has covered only 40 miles (64 km).
The 328 was a facelifted and enhanced version of the better-known 308 and was available in both GTB and GTS versions, the targa car outselling the coupe five to one. As well as the smoother bumpers and a revised interior that gained gauges from the 288 GTO supercar, the 328 also benefited from a bigger (3.2 liters, hence the name) V8.
Clearly, with only 266 hp (270 PS), it’d get annihilated by a modern Honda Civic Type R, never mind its modern equivalent, the 819 hp (830 PS) 296 GTS hybrid, but that chrome wand sprouting from the center console is a constant reminder that outright speed isn’t what makes a sports car fun to drive. It’ll still do zero to 60 mph (96 km/h) in less than 6 seconds anyway, and the optional air conditioning and anti-lock brakes give it a modern feel, while the unassisted steering makes sure it still has one foot firmly in the classic camp.
UK performance specialist Avantgarde doesn’t specify a price in its advert, but given this car’s incredibly low mileage and the fact that sellers of other examples with 15,000 miles (24,000 km) on the clock are looking for £100k ($127k), it’s not going to be cheap – unless you’re looking to compare with the £300k ($380k ) with-options price of a new 296 GTS.
