Some cars are part of popular culture. This is exactly the case with the Ferrari 308 GTS made famous by the Magnum P.I.. Forty years after he roamed the roads of Hawaii as Thomas Magnum, played by Tom Selleck, one of the most iconic examples of the series is about to be auctioned off.
This 1979 model will be offered at the Barrett-Jackson sale in Palm Beach, from April 16 to 18, 2026. And it's not just any car! Ferrari used for filming: it's that of the very first episode, the pilot entitled “Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii”, as well as the first season's debut.
A movie car
In the world of movie cars, replicas are a dime a dozen. Here, we're talking about a perfectly authenticated model. Its chassis number, VIN 28251, is well known to specialists and confirms that it is one of the three carbureted Ferrari 308 GTSs used in the first season.
In all, some fifteen Ferrari 308s were used during the 163 episodes of the series, but very few can claim such a pedigree. This is one of the most precious, not least because it was driven by Tom Selleck himself in the first scenes that have become cult favorites.
Another detail that reinforces its iconic status: the car was originally painted in Fly Yellow before being repainted in Rosso Corsa for filming purposes. This modification is officially documented by Ferrari, and is highly sought-after by collectors.
Ferrari 308 in its original state, between patina and history
Under the hood is the naturally-aspirated 2.9-liter V8, mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. Depending on the source, power output varies from 205 to 237 hp, depending on configuration, with its famous Weber carburetors. A typical late-70s engine, raw and unfiltered.
The car now boasts more than 150,000 kilometers (or around 93,000 miles), proving that it's not a frozen piece of kit, but a car that has really lived. The interior, originally Crema beige, has been restored to its original hue after being modified in black. There are also a few non-original elements, such as a more recent car radio and an aluminum knob.
But far from diminishing its value, this patina adds to its authenticity. This is a car that tells a story, not an over-restored object.
Market still hesitant despite myth
Despite its mythical status, the value of this Ferrari remains hard to pin down. In March 2025, it sold for $115,000 at an online auction, before failing to find buyers at $120,000 at a subsequent auction.
By way of comparison, a classic Ferrari 308 GTS from the same year generally sells for between $70,000 and $130,000, depending on its condition. The “Magnum P.I.” factor therefore brings an undeniable premium, but not always enough to stabilize its price.
This new auction, with no reserve price, could therefore be decisive in determining the true value of this piece of history.
Beyond the numbers, this Ferrari raises an interesting question: how far are collectors prepared to go to own a piece of popular culture? Owning this 308 GTS isn't just buying a car. It's a piece of television, a piece of the '80s, and perhaps even a childhood dream. To drive, like Magnum, a red Ferrari under the sun.
The sale of Palm Beach promises to be much more than a simple transaction. It will be a true test of the market, at the crossroads of automotive passion, nostalgia and investment logic.
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