The gathering currently unfolding in Maranello is the Ferrari 308 Tour, an elite celebration marking the 50th anniversary of one of the most significant models in automotive history. Running from April 17–18, 2026, this event brings 50 carefully selected classic Ferraris back to their birthplace for a series of exclusive factory drives and laps on the legendary Fiorano Circuit.
The Festival: A Homecoming for Icons
This tour is not merely a car show but a “pilgrimage” for owners of the 308 lineage. The event coincides with a major motorsport weekend in the region, as the 6 Hours of Imola (FIA WEC) begins today at the nearby Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari. The atmosphere in Maranello is heightened by the presence of these classics alongside modern support vehicles and team personnel moving between the factory and the track.
Eligible participants in the 50th-anniversary tour include:
- The 308 Series: GTB, GTS, GTBi, and GTSi.
- The 208 and 328: The GTB/GTS variants of these closely related successors.
- The Dino: The 208/308 GT4 models.
The Model: Why the 308 Defines Ferrari
The Ferrari 308 is the cornerstone of the brand’s modern identity, celebrated for several revolutionary milestones:
- Pivotal V8 Heritage: Debuting in 1975, the 308 GTB was Ferrari’s first production car to feature a mid-mounted V8 engine. This mechanical layout became the foundational DNA for Ferrari’s most successful sports car lines for the following five decades.
- Design Icon: Styled by Leonardo Fioravanti at Pininfarina, the 308’s sharp, wedge-shaped silhouette defined the “supercar look” of the 1970s and 80s.
- The “Vetroresina” Rarity: Early 308 GTB units were uniquely built with fiberglass (Vetroresina) bodies rather than traditional steel, making them exceptionally light and a top prize for modern collectors.
- Pop Culture Legend: The 308 GTS achieved global fame as the signature car in Magnum, P.I., elevating it from a performance machine to a universal symbol of 1980s luxury and style.
