posted on July 1, 2026
Top down, decades back
It’s time to rewind to the ’80s and channel your inner private investigator behind the wheel of a bright red Targa-roofed Ferrari. The 1982 Ferrari 308 GTS is one of the most recognizable sports cars in the world, made famous by US TV star Tom Selleck (who drove a 308 GTS through nearly every episode of the hit series, Magnum, P.I.).
With its removable targa roof, gated manual shifter, and 2.9-liter V8, this car is built for a specific kind of drive: top off, windows down, and no particular destination in mind. Daren’s 1982 Ferrari 308 GTS brings this head-turning set of wheels to Los Angeles, and is the July car of the month.
Key takeaways:
- The Ferrari 308 GTS is a mid-engine, V8-powered classic styled by Pininfarina, widely considered one of the most recognizable sports cars of the 1980s.
- Its cultural fame comes largely from the TV show, Magnum, P.I.
- The removable targa roof panel of the Ferrari 308 GTS gives drivers open-air motoring without the full-time commitment of a convertible.
- With a 5-speed manual gearbox and no driver aids, it’s a fully analog driving experience, closer to piloting a piece of history than driving a modern car.
Why the Ferrari 308 GTS is the July car of the month
- Genuine 1980s Ferrari V8 heritage, tied directly to the car’s most famous on-screen moment
- A targa-top design built for open-air driving in LA’s balmy climate
- A 5-speed manual transmission and mid-engine layout that reward an engaged driver
- Hosted by a highly rated LA-based classic car specialist with 2,600+ completed trips
1982 Ferrari 308 GTS specs
This 1982 308 GTS sits right at the handover point between the fuel-injected GTSi and the four-valve-per-cylinder Quattrovalvole that replaced it later that same year (Ferrari built 1,743 GTSi units in total before making the switch). The figures below reflect GTSi specifications, the more likely configuration for a 1982-model-year car.
| ENGINE | HORSEPOWER | 0 to 60 MPH | TOP SPEED | MILEAGE | DAILY PRICE* |
| 2.9L V8, fuel-injected | 205 hp | 7.6 sec | Around 145 mph | 11 to 16 mpg | $2,500 |
*Daily price reflects the live listing and is subject to change.
Exterior & design
When it comes to exotic supercars, few are more distinctive than the Ferrari 308 GTS. The car’s shape comes from Pininfarina designer Leonardo Fioravanti, featuring a wedge profile, twin circular taillamps, and scalloped air intakes that perfectly capture 1980s automotive design.
Expect a softer sculptural look that has earned this car its place as one of the most photographed Ferraris of its generation. The retractable pop-up headlights are just another feature that make this the poster-car symbol of the ’80s.
As far as construction goes, this car sits on a tube-frame chassis with a separate steel body. The signature feature of the GTS has to be its removable targa roof panel, finished in grained satin-black. It can easily be stowed in a vinyl cover behind the seats when not in use, ideal for drivers who want the best of a convertible without the full-time commitment.
Being a US-spec car, Daren’s 308 wears the larger, federally mandated bumpers of the era along with rectangular side marker lights. These might seem like small details, but they make this American car distinct from its European versions.
Interior & technology
This performance-focused sports car offers an analog driving experience that truly feels like teleporting into a scene from Back To The Future. The cabin’s two-seater layout is low and compact, offering a snug driving position.
The car’s transaxle-mounted gated shifter is the centerpiece of the interior, and one of the most recognizable details of any classic Ferrari. Gearheads will love the satisfying mechanical click-clack sound, as long as you’re also prepared for the unassisted steering and heavy controls that can require a firm hand.
As the engine sits behind the carbin, you’ll find that cargo space lives up front in a shallow trunk (enough for a couple traveling lightly for a weekend getaway).
When it comes to the interior design, expect leather upholstery, large Veglia dials (such as the speedometer), and toggle-switch controls. But don’t expect modern gear like a touchscreen infotainment system. In fact, the car’s analog design is a huge part of its charm.
Performance & driving experience
Curious about what it’s like to drive this Ferrari? As the driver, you’ll be positioned low to the ground, with an unmistakable mechanical hum of the V8 engine setting the soundtrack for your drive. While steering at low speeds can be heavy, GTS models offer a deeply engaging experience that ensures you feel one with the road, and the machine you’re driving.
Now, let’s get into the specs:
- Engine: Under the rear decklid sits a 2.9-liter, quad-cam V8 (a 90-degree, eight-cylinder unit with two belt-driven overhead camshafts per cylinder bank, mounted transversely and paired directly to the transaxle). On US-market cars like this one, the engine uses conventional wet-sump engine (European-spec 308s of the era use dry-sump lubrication systems instead).
- Fuel injection: GTSi models like this one used Bosch K-Jetronic injection in place of the quad-carburetor setup on earlier 308s, trading a small amount of outright power for smoother, more consistent running.
- Acceleration and top speed: Contemporary road tests clocked the GTSi at 0–60 mph in roughly 7.6 seconds with a top speed around 145 mph. It’s modest by 2026 standards, but still offers plenty of grunt.
- Suspension and steering rack: Double wishbones at all four corners with coaxial coil springs, hydraulic dampers, and anti-roll bars front and rear wheels (tuned more for feel and feedback than outright comfort).
- Handling: Combined with the mid-engine weight distribution, it makes for a car that rewards a deliberate, engaged driving style over effortless cruising.
- Transmission: The 5-speed manual transmission uses Ferrari’s classic open-gate shifter, part of what makes driving one feel like an occasion.
- Real-world usability: Fuel economy on premium gas won’t be a strong point, but real-world usability is better than reputation suggests.
For renters, the Los Angeles setting adds an extra layer: Mulholland Drive’s canyon curves and the Pacific Coast Highway toward Malibu are both well within reach, exactly the kind of roads this car was built for, and a detail echoed in guest reviews of this exact car.
How it compares
The 308 GTS’s closest period rival was the Porsche 911 SC. In fact, both were tested head-to-head by Car and Driver in 1982. The Ferrari trades outright speed for exclusivity and V8 sound; the Porsche offers a more usable daily driving experience and far better parts availability, then and now.
In comparison, the Lamborghini’s Jalpa (built in far smaller numbers, just 410 total) is the closest thing to a direct Italian rival. For renters who want modern performance in a similar mid-engine layout, today’s Porsche 718 Cayman is dramatically quicker in a straight line but delivers none of the vintage character, sound, or story of driving an actual 1980s Ferrari.
| 1982 Ferrari 308 GTS* | 1982 Porsche 911 SC | Lamborghini Jalpa | Porsche 718 Cayman (current) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.9L V8 | 3.0L flat-6 | 3.5L V8 | 2.0L turbo flat-4 |
| Horsepower | 205 hp | 172 hp | 255 hp | 300 hp |
| 0–60 mph | 7.6 sec | 6.3 sec | 6.0–7.1 sec | 4.9 sec |
| Top speed | 140 mph | 135 mph | 155 mph | 171 mph |
| Years produced | 1980–1982 (GTSi) | 1978–1983 | 1981–1988 | 2016–present |
Did you know? The Ferrari 308 GTS was first launched in 1977, with production running until 1985.
Who should rent this car?
- Classic car enthusiasts
- Special occasion/anniversary drives
- Car shows and cruise nights
- Photography fans and content creators
- Scenic LA/Malibu day trips
Note: This listing requires drivers to be 30+ to book, only offers two seats, and requires drivers to be able to drive manual transmission.
Frequently asked questions about the Ferrari 308 GTS
Is this the same car from Magnum, P.I.?
Not this specific vehicle, but the same model and era. Ferrari supplied around 15 308 GTS cars for the show’s eight-season run, including fuel-injected GTSi models like this one during the show’s middle seasons.
What’s the difference between a GTS, GTSi, and Quattrovalvole?
All are versions of the same Ferrari 308 GTS. The original GTS used carburetors, the GTSi (1980–1982) switched to Bosch fuel injection, and the Quattrovalvole, introduced in late 1982, added four-valve cylinder heads for more power.
Do I need manual transmission experience to rent this car?
Yes, the 308 GTS is a 5-speed manual-only meaning you’ll need to be comfortable to operate stick shift to rent this car. Ferrari never offered an automatic option on this model.
Rent a Ferrari 308 GTS on Turo
There’s something rare about being able to rent a piece of 1980s pop culture and drive it on the same coastal roads it was built for. This isn’t a car built for the fastest lap time; it’s for renters who want the full sensory experience of a vintage Italian V8, an open targa roof, and a photogenic drive through Los Angeles.
That mix of heritage, character, and location is exactly why the 308 GTS is the July car of the month. Rent Daren’s Ferrari 308 GTS on Turo, with pick-up and return available from Los Angeles, California.
Still searching for the right car for your trip? Browse additional options including sports cars, Ferrari rentals, and convertibles available to book today.
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Lucinda Starr
Lucinda is a Sydney-based content specialist and avid road tripper. Having travelled across Asia, North America, Europe and the South Pacific, she's experienced everything from glamping in a Yurt in -30 degrees in The Yukon, snorkelling in the open seas of Vanuatu and hiking the rocky alps of Kamikochi in Japan. She's currently planning her next overseas adventure, a toss-up between a classic #EuroSummer or a multi-day trek through Nepal.
