- The Christmas singer’s 308 GT4 goes on sale in time to create a thousand memories
Can’t wait to see those faces on Christmas Day when you show up in Chris Rea’s Ferrari Dino 308?
He Driving home for Christmas 80s hitmaker and chart-topper Rea has put his 1980 Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 up for auction before the festive period begins.
The beautifully presented model from Rea’s private collection will go on sale in early November and is estimated to fetch between £40,000 and £50,000.
Christmas hitmaker and 80s chart-topper Rea has put his 1980 Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 up for auction before the festive period begins.
Rea’s 1988 Christmas classic was voted the country’s favorite song for a festive road trip, with 47 percent of the vote.
Known for his Ferrari fever and Christmas cheer, Rea has owned several cars in Modena, from racing versions of the GT4 to road-going examples, but this 308 GT4 has been a constant in his garage for years.
The singer, whose 1988 Christmas classic was voted the country’s favorite song for a festive road trip, with 47 per cent of the vote, originally bought it because it needed a little TLC.
Rea has since worked with Ferrari specialists QV of London to restore his 308 GT4 to the beautifully presented and completely refurbished state it is in today, including perfectly refurbished Cromodora alloys.
The 30-8 GT4 was Ferrari’s first production car to feature a mid-engine V8. It was also the first production model to feature Bertone styling.
This 308 GT4 has been a constant in the garage of Ferrari fans for years
Rea worked with Ferrari specialists QV of London to restore his 308 GT4 to the beautifully presented and fully commissioned condition the car is in today, including perfectly refinished Cromodora alloys.
Chris changed his Ferrari Pirelli Challenge car from red and gold to a Grigio Ferro on Blu Dino Scurro.
While the 3-litre V8 308 GT4 is one of the few small Ferraris to suit a two-tone color scheme, Chris changed his Ferrari Pirelli Challenge car from red and gold to a Grigio Ferro instead of Blu Dino Scurro.
The Dino’s interior is finished with burgundy red seats and carpets, and is unusually one of the few cars with factory “deleted” rear seats (where the rear ones are removed for space or performance reasons).
This seems contradictory, since the GT4’s raison d’être was extra seating; However, luggage space in the 308 GT4 was minimal, so converting the car to a ‘touring’ configuration rather than a 2+2 made practical sense.
The 308 GT4 was Ferrari’s first production car to feature a mid-engine V8. It was also the first production model to feature Bertone styling.
About 3,600 were sold.
Rea has recorded twenty-five studio albums, two of which topped the UK albums chart; The Road to Hell in 1989 and its successor, Auberge, in 1991
It is unusually one of the very rare cars with “deleted” rear seats “from the factory” (where the rear ones are removed for space or performance reasons) – the interior is finished in a gorgeous Bordeaux red.
The GT4’s top speed is 150 mph and it can cover 0-60 in 6.4 seconds, so you won’t have to worry about those red lights or traffic jams when you’re driving home for Christmas.
Rea’s 1988 bop remains a top favorite among British drivers over the festive period. Other popular holiday hits for car rides include Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You and Bing Crosby’s White Christmas.
And with the GT4’s top speed of 150 mph and 0-60 in 6.4 seconds, you don’t need to worry about those red lights or traffic jams when you’re driving home for Christmas.
Chris Rea’s 308 GT4 has 53,000 miles on the clock and will go up for auction on November 9 with Iconic auctioneers at the NEC Classic Motor Show and has a guide price of £40,000 to £50,000.