*This is a translation done by a machine.

The Ferrari Dino 206 & 246GT series that became a hit, in other words, the 308GT series was born in 1975 as a successor model to the Maranello introductory machine. Whereas the Dino had a V6 engine, this series was powered by an upgraded 3-liter V8 engine mounted on the mid, which continued to evolve uninterruptedly until the latest F8 series. It has always been the "most popular prancing horse model" and has attracted the attention of car lovers around the world.

Every Ferrari series not just the V8 models, has undergone a complete chassis and style change every two generations. Conversely, the two generations were similar in styling and chassis design (the same windshield, for example), and the later models could be described as major minor changes.

The 328GT series, the successor to the highly popular 308GT series, which was produced for about 10 years until 1985, was based on the final model of the 308 series, the Quattrovalvole, with major minor changes to the interior and exterior and powertrain.

The basic body silhouette (design around the fenders, roof and windows) remains the same as the 308, but the design of the front and rear bumpers has been modernized and the engine displacement has been increased to 3.2 liters. Maximum output rose to 270bhp and the V8 engine, which had been stifled by emissions regulations and other factors, was finally able to surpass the performance of the 3-litre engine with carburetor in the first 308GTB.

The interior of the house has been modernized (although it's still a classic, simple and Spartan design) and refined.

As with the 308GT series, it was available in two body styles - the GTB in the Berlinetta and the GTS in the Spider (Targa top). At the time, the GTS was overwhelmingly popular in the U.S. market, so it is said that about five sixth of the series' production volume was GTS bodies. It seems that this was also the case in the Japanese market, and the reality is that most of the 328GTs on the market are GTSs with Targa top specifications. Therefore, the popularity of the GTB Berlinetta (coupe) began to gather.

After four years of production from 1986 to 1989, the 328 GT series is handed over to the 348 GT series. Starting with the 348 GT series, the V8 engine, with an additional displacement of 3.4 liters, is placed vertically after the driver. The 328GT series was the final evolution of the prancing horse midship series that had the engine sideways from the Dino.

Production of the GTB was around 1,300 units throughout the series. In terms of scarcity alone, it is similar to the F40. The car we're reporting on is a 1989 final model with only 18,000km on the road and was delivered to our first customer in Japan by Cornes, an authorized importer.

There are few noticeable scratches on the exterior of the Rosso Corsa. There is only one spot on the nose where I found some repair marks from a jumping stone. The interior is black. This was a staple configuration of the time, as was the red exterior and tan interior combination.

The condition of the interior was as good as the exterior. In particular, the scale color of the gauges is a clear orange, retaining the atmosphere of the time. The leather is in good condition and you can feel the love of the current owner just by looking at the interior.

However, it should be noted that the good condition of the interior and exterior is only an aside when discussing the appeal of this car. The appeal of this car is, above all, the "finish" of the powertrain and chassis. I lifted the car up and took pictures of the lower floor, and as you can see, every inch of it is well maintained.

As a matter of fact, this 328GTB has been maintained by "Nakamura Engineering" which is a famous Ferrari specialized factory in Nara since the current owner got it about 12 years ago. All the records are still there, but the new owner is surprisingly well maintained. You might question, "Was it the car that had to be maintained that much?" but that's beside the point. Up until the 1990s, Ferrari was an industrial product that, unlike the latest models, was close to a craft that could only maintain the performance of a new car with careful maintenance.

I gave it a test ride. It has a surprisingly solid undercarriage with a QUANTUM in it. The ride was good and the handling was crisp for a 30 year old car. And best of all, the engine is amazing. I wonder if it would have gone so smoothly. I've never experienced a 328 V8 turning so beautifully, even when I compare it to my own memory. It really is a great engine. Now that the accuracy of the machine is improved, it may be that the turn is closer to the designer's ideal. In that sense, he showed the performance that is “not inferior to a new car”.

Up to this time, the prancing horse never had an exhaust sound like F1. It feels good at the moment when the sound of exhaust is not intentionally produced, but a symphony is produced by precise engine feel and mechanical noise. This is a car that will allow you to enjoy the true sensuality of the Ferrari engine.

Probably 90% of 328 owners who didn't know it when it was new don't know how great it is. There are 328s on the market that can be bought cheaper than this, but I don't think they will ever catch up to this level, even if you've bought them and spent 10 million yen on them. There is no better prescription for maintaining a classic model than the love that has been poured into it over the years.