Presented by RM Sotheby’s.
Offered Without Reserve From The Dr. Terry Maxon Collection
The late 1980s witnessed a surge of interest in racing Ferrari’s rear-engine 308 GTB, which was never campaigned by the factory but had enjoyed uneven results through privateer efforts in rallying, SCCA, and IMSA GT racing. Inspired by the twin-turbocharged Group B-intended 288 GTO, and taking advantage of a dip in market value, a spate of builders began modifying older 308 examples into capable racecars, closely matching many of the flagship supercar’s design cues.
By the early 1990s Dr. Maxon was firmly in this camp, and he began searching for a 308 GTB to purchase, while studying other race-modified examples for ideas. In May 1993 Dave Zumstein and Bill Freeman sold chassis number 26953 to Dr. Maxon, and he began a long and arduous process of transforming it into a competitive club racer. As confirmed by a deep file of documentation including dozens of parts and service invoices spanning from 1993 to 2019, the owner retained the legendary mechanic Bob Wallace (best known for test driving and developmental work at Lamborghini) to rebuild the V-8 into a race-ready engine.
The 308 was treated to a rebuild of the brakes and suspension with racing components, including custom-built shocks. The carburetors and intake manifold were overhauled, and a Holley fuel pump was installed, among other mechanical measures. A roll cage, racing seats, and fire extinguisher were installed in the interior, which was stripped down to a spartan lightweight condition, and crowned with a purpose-built instrument panel with competition gauges and switches. The coachwork, later repainted in an unusual shade of forest green, was modified with a new front grille and chin spoiler, and an adjusted rear end featuring 288-style exhaust vents and an upturned decklid edge. The build was completed with Gotti wheels shod with Avon racing tires.
As revealed by a detailed log of racing and test notes, Dr. Maxon began putting the 308 GTB on the track in June 2012. Over the following six years he enjoyed the car at SCCA and FCA events on circuits like Firebird International Raceway, Chuckwalla Valley, Palm Springs, the Inde Motorsports Ranch, and the Wildhorse and Bondurant Mondo Sunday. During this period he consistently continued to rebuild and modify aspects of the car, and a detailed accounting of his invoices declares that the build cost in excess of $102,000.
This well-documented 308 club racer now awaits its next caretaker, offering thrilling laps on the track, and the opportunity to further modify the project into a vintage class winner. It is a testament to Dr. Maxon’s passion for Ferrari racing, and a unique 288-styled interpretation of the 308 GTB competition car.
RM Sotheby’s is set to kick off the collector car auction calendar once again by returning to the stunning grounds of the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix on 27 January for its 23rd annual Arizona sale. View all lots and register to bid online at RMSothebys.com.
