Pre Order the Norev 1:18 Ferrari 308 GTS from Magnum P.I Diecast Model

Norev has announced that it will be re-producing the much sought-after star of the Magnum P.I TV Show, the Ferrari 308 GTS in Red.

Pre-Order Today

Pre-order today with nothing to pay until the model is released. The model is expected to become available in 2026.

Photo Gallery

Magnum P.I. Opening Theme Video

Vehicle Background

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Overview

Few cars have achieved the cultural fame of the Ferrari 308 GTS, thanks largely to its starring role in the iconic American television series Magnum, P.I. Driven by Tom Selleck’s character, private investigator Thomas Magnum, the bright red 308 GTS became an automotive icon of the 1980s — a symbol of style, speed, and exotic flair.

Produced between 1977 and 1985, the Ferrari 308 GTS was part of Ferrari’s new generation of mid-engined V8 sports cars, offering a blend of everyday usability and Italian passion. The car’s open-topped targa design, Pininfarina styling, and evocative V8 soundtrack made it an instant classic, both on and off screen.

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Design

The Ferrari 308 GTS was designed by Pininfarina’s Leonardo Fioravanti, the same designer responsible for many of Ferrari’s most admired shapes. Its proportions, details, and curves made it one of the most recognisable Ferraris ever built.

• Exterior: The 308 GTS featured a removable targa roof panel, allowing open-air motoring while maintaining the coupe’s rigidity and design purity. Its low, wedge-shaped silhouette, deep air intakes, and quad circular taillights defined Ferrari’s design language for decades.
• Magnum, P.I. Specification: The cars used in the series were all finished in Rosso Corsa (racing red) with tan leather interiors, perfectly complementing the Hawaiian setting and Selleck’s laid-back charm.
• Wheels: Five-spoke Cromodora alloys became a signature detail, with black side mirrors and louvred engine covers adding to its sporting character.

The combination of elegant lines, purposeful stance, and dramatic mid-engine proportions made the 308 GTS an enduring automotive icon.

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Performance

The Ferrari 308 GTS was powered by Ferrari’s legendary Tipo F106 AB 2.9-litre V8 engine, mounted transversely behind the driver.

• Engine: 2,927 cc V8 (DOHC, four Weber carburettors in early models, fuel injection in later ones)
• Power Output: 240 PS (237 bhp) at 6,600 rpm (carburetted version)
• Torque: 260 Nm (192 lb-ft) at 5,000 rpm
• Transmission: 5-speed gated manual gearbox
• Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive

Performance figures for the carburetted 308 GTS (as used in Magnum, P.I.) were:

• 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 6.5 seconds
• Top speed: Approximately 250 km/h (155 mph)

Later models with fuel injection (308 GTSi) and four-valve heads (308 GTS QV) offered improved reliability and smoother power delivery, though purists often prefer the raw sound and responsiveness of the early carburetted engines.

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Chassis & Handling

The 308 GTS used a tubular steel spaceframe chassis with independent suspension on all four corners, ensuring superb balance and poise.

• Suspension: Double wishbones with coil springs, telescopic dampers, and anti-roll bars front and rear.
• Brakes: Ventilated discs all round, providing excellent stopping power for the era.
• Steering: Unassisted rack-and-pinion steering for direct, communicative feedback.

Its mid-engine layout provided near-perfect weight distribution, making the 308 GTS agile and composed through corners. The targa configuration added a touch of flexibility, allowing drivers to enjoy the sound of the V8 in the open air without compromising structural integrity.

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Interior

The 308 GTS’s interior reflected classic late-1970s Ferrari design — functional, elegant, and tailored around the driver.

• Dashboard: Simple, driver-focused layout with classic Veglia Borletti gauges and the iconic open-gated shifter taking pride of place in the centre console.
• Seating: Low-slung leather bucket seats providing excellent support and comfort for long drives.
• Trim & Finish: Hand-stitched leather throughout, paired with black carpeting and metal accents.
• Details: Air-conditioning, electric windows, and a removable targa roof panel stored neatly behind the seats.

In Magnum, P.I., Tom Selleck’s tall frame required custom seat modifications to allow him to fit comfortably inside the car — a testament to both the 308’s compact design and its cinematic adaptability.

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The Magnum, P.I. Connection

The Ferrari 308 GTS owes much of its global fame to its starring role in the hit TV series Magnum, P.I., which ran from 1980 to 1988.

Across the show’s eight seasons, multiple examples of the 308 GTS were used — starting with the 308 GTS (carburetted), later replaced by 308 GTSi and 308 GTS QV models as production evolved.

The cars were supplied by Ferrari North America, and each season typically used two to three vehicles for filming. The bright Rosso Corsa finish and the car’s appearance in the Hawaiian sun cemented its image as the ultimate aspirational sports car of the 1980s.

The 308 GTS became synonymous with sophistication, adventure, and Italian performance — and remains one of Ferrari’s most instantly recognisable models due to the series’ enduring popularity.

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Heritage & Legacy

The Ferrari 308 GTS was not just a movie or television star — it was also a cornerstone model for Ferrari’s global success. The 308 series (GTB/GTS) helped establish Ferrari’s V8 mid-engine formula, later refined in successors such as the 328, 348, 355, and F8 Tributo.

For collectors, the Magnum, P.I. connection has made the 308 GTS one of the most desirable Ferraris from the era. Original examples in Rosso Corsa with tan interior, especially 1980–1982 models matching the TV specification, command strong interest among enthusiasts and fans alike.

Beyond its fame, the 308 GTS remains celebrated for its balance of usability, reliability, and classic Ferrari charisma — offering an authentic driving experience from the golden age of analogue performance cars.

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Key Figures

Specification	Value
Model	Ferrari 308 GTS (carburetted)
Year	1980 (as featured in Magnum, P.I.)
Engine	2.9-litre V8 (DOHC, 4 Weber carburettors)
Power	240 PS (237 bhp)
Torque	260 Nm (192 lb-ft)
Transmission	5-speed gated manual
Drivetrain	Rear-wheel drive
0–100 km/h	~6.5 seconds
Top Speed	~250 km/h (155 mph)
Weight	~1,230 kg
Chassis	Tubular steel spaceframe
Suspension	Double wishbones with coil springs
Brakes	Ventilated discs all round
Designer	Leonardo Fioravanti (Pininfarina)
Colour Highlight	Rosso Corsa with Tan Leather Interior
Production Years	1977–1985
Fame	Featured car in Magnum, P.I. TV series (1980–1988)

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