Eight seasons of the action-packed TV show Magnum, P.I. aired on CBS from 1980 to 1988. Tom Selleck, a mustachioed actor, played Thomas Magnum, a private investigator who traveled to nearby crime scenes in his Ferrari.
The most popular private eye in America was behind the wheel of a bright red 1984 Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole. Three automobiles were used by the producers to film. Ferrari North America “supplied CBS with the automobiles and retrieved them once they were finished with filming to repaint and sell to new owners,” according to Star Adviser.
One of the supercars used in the 1984–1985 campaign was auctioned off in 2017 at Bonhams in Scottsdale, Arizona. According to Motor 1, the original 3.0-liter V8 is still in use, producing 232 horsepower when mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The vehicle brought in $181,500.
The original Rosso Corsa red paint job on the Ferrari was still in flawless shape, and it had only 36,000 kilometers on it.
The New York Post reported about the auction’s listing, “This Ferrari won the hearts of millions throughout the 1980s in living rooms throughout America as Tom Selleck drove this very car around the streets of Hawaii in the pursuit of justice.”
In This Article...
Meet Jay Hernandez and the Ferrari 488 Spider, the stars of Magnum P.I.
Magnum PI has returned to our screens after nearly 30 years away, but a new Magnum need a new vehicle. As we go, we learn to know them both.
Jay Hernandez, the star of Thomas Sullivan Magnum 2.0, was picked up in the Ferrari 488 Spider, a work of automotive art. Jay is also quite pleasant.
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The 3.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine in the 488 Spider from Maranello delivers 660 horsepower to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that shifts gears more quickly than you can blink. This should make a good replacement vehicle for the new Magnum with a 0-60 mph time of only 3 seconds and a top speed of just over 200 mph.
Then, we switched to OG Magnum’s first vehicle, the Ferrari 308 GTS. This is the epitome of car design from the 1980s. No, literally: Many a locker and bedroom wall was covered with posters of this Pininfarina design. One of the most beautiful Ferraris ever made, it still draws attention.
The 2.9-liter naturally aspirated V8 that powers the GTS produces 237 prancing horsepower; however, the 1980 GTSi variant that we currently own only makes about 214 horsepower because of better pollution controls. Nevertheless, not bad for 1980. Additionally, even the new model lacks a gated, dog-legged five-speed manual transmission.
Vehicles
The television series Magnum P.I., which ran from 1980 to 1988, made the 308 famous by having its protagonist, Magnum, travel in it for eight seasons while conducting his investigations.
A number of 308 GTS vehicles were utilized, one for each season, the majority of which were sold at auction following production and all bore the license plate ROBIN 1.
- First season: 1979 308 GTS (chassis number 28251)
- Years 2 through 6 – 1981 308 GTSi
- 1984’s seasons 7 and 8 308GT When quatrivalving
The same color scheme as the original series—Red with Tan interior—was used for Magnum’s Ferrari 488 Spider in the Modern remake series. In the first episode of the contemporary version, the 308 GTS from the original series was also visible. Later, it crashed during a chase between the 308 GTS and the Unimog. A handful of Robin Masters’ vehicles, including an Audi R8, a Range Rover Sport, and a Ferrari California, can also be spotted throughout the series.
Rick can also be seen operating a 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Cabrio [991] in the contemporary remake .2]
The Magnum P.I. reboot’s resto-mod Ferrari is the Maggiore 308M.
A carbon-bodied Ferrari 308 GTS is the first invention of Italian restomod firm Maggiore.
Gianluca Maggiore, the company’s founder, claims he wanted to drive a symbol from his youth with the safety features and solutions offered by contemporary technology. He also claims that the work done by his Tuscany-based company was done “with profound respect, creating a historic harmony with the original parts while at the same time breathing new life into its general appearance.”
The car’s famous pop-up headlamps have been replaced with short LED strips, which is the biggest change to the front of the vehicle. The new bodywork is wider to accommodate an extended track. Below, additional projector lenses are almost invisible until they are turned on. The slightly fiddly straked air intakes have been replaced with more straightforward gloss carbon ones, giving the 308M a very clean look. Aerodynamics are improved by a subdued roof spoiler, an enhanced lip spoiler, and a rear diffuser.
The Quattrovalvole V-8 was rebored to 3146 cc, nodular cast iron liners were installed, forged pistons with a graphite coating, and larger valves were among the mechanical improvements. A race clutch and light-weight flywheel have also been added, along with a whole new stainless steel exhaust system. At 7000 rpm, there is up to 300 horsepower.
New four-piston Brembo calipers, racing pads, and vented 280-mm discs are installed for improved stopping power, and the track is 50 millimeters wider at the front and 100 millimeters wider at the back. Adjustable coaxial springs and Koni racing shocks are used for the suspension.
With materials provided by American textile specialists Maharam, the interior makes use of carbon fiber, leather, and even marble. A head-up display and a hi-res sound system from Delta Sigma bring the car’s technology up to current. If you’d like, Maggiore will supply a set of baggage that matches the automobile, as well as a leather jacket.
The first 308M was developed by Maggiore in a year, and the company estimates that the conversion cost about EUR500,000 ($594,000). Oh, and you’ll need to start by giving them a 308, so allocate an extra $50,000 to pick a good one.
Magnum Drive 2021: What Ferrari?
Only one of the at least three Ferraris shown in the premiere, titled “I See the Sun Rise” (a throwback to the season three episode “Did You See the Sun Rise?”), is a 308GTS Quattrovalvole, as it was in the original series. The new Magnum responds to his friend’s ransom call in a red 488 Spider.
When was Magnum Drive a Ferrari?
Magnum PI had excellent choice in vehicles Tom Selleck, a mustachioed actor, played Thomas Magnum, a private investigator who traveled to nearby crime scenes in his Ferrari. A bright red 1984 Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole was driven by America’s favorite private detective.
Who drove the Ferrari that Thomas Magnum did?
Magnum P.I. didn’t drive a used sedan while pursuing hitmen and drug dealers. He was in a Ferrari 308 GTS in red. This month marks the 40th anniversary of Tom Selleck’s portrayal as Thomas Magnum, Private Investigator, on television.
Magnum P.I.’s Ferrari—is it real?
One reason for the 308’s popularity in Europe and the USA was its “character” on the television series “Magnum P.I.” where a private eye (played by Tom Selleck) raced around the Hawaiian island of Oahu in this red Ferrari. The 308 is one of the most recent “true” Ferraris produced when Mr. Enzo still made every decision.
A Ferrari 308’s top speed?
Ferrari and Michelotto created the Ferrari 308 GT/M to compete under Group B’s “Evolution/Termination” rules. The Gr.4 308’s results persuaded Ferrari and Michelotto that a purpose-built Ferrari rally car could be competitive under Group B regulations, and construction on the vehicle began in November 1982. With the 1987 season’s prohibition of Group B cars, the model was abandoned.
A 3.0 liter 308 Quattrovalvole engine and a newly developed tubular steel frame chassis served as the foundation for the 308 GT/M. In contrast to the 308 road vehicles and the previous Gr.4 rally cars, this engine was positioned longitudinally in a rear-mid-engine position. An equal-length exhaust system and modified Bosch Kugelfischer fuel injection were employed in the internal engine overhaul. At 8900 revs per minute, this engine produced about 363–370 horsepower. Upgraded camshafts, valves, and pistons were employed, and the belt and camshaft covers were also made of a lightweight magnesium alloy. Only the rear wheels received power from a Hewland 5-speed manual transaxle situated at the back of the vehicle. Additionally, a dual-plate, Formula One-style Borg & Beck clutch was installed in the vehicle. With suspension geometry based on the Ferrari Mondial, all four wheels were equipped with double wishbone suspension and coil springs. While many of the components were altered, some conventional 308 and Mondial parts were included. To enable for ride height modifications, the suspension arms and steering rack both had two different mounting places. There were Brembo brakes installed, along with a hydraulic handbrake. Francesco Boniolo created the car’s Kevlar and carbon fiber body. It was motivated by the wind tunnel testing of the older Ferrari 512 BB/LM and had similarities to that vehicle. It had a huge rear spoiler and big, fixed headlights. Near Modena, Carrozzeria Auto Sport built the body. The car’s overall weight was 840 kilograms (1,850 lb), which is 120 kilograms less than the minimum weight required by Group B regulations.
Between 1984 and 1986, Ferrari drivers put the 308 GT/M through rigorous testing at Fiorano. The 308 GT/M lapped Fiorano in 1 minute, 24.6 seconds while wearing racing tires, outpacing the F40 (1:25) and 512 BB/LM (1:26.6). Less than 4 seconds were needed for the car to go from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour (62 mph). Ferrari engineered the vehicle to have a redline at 8500 rpm in fifth gear and a top speed of 270 km/h (170 mph).
There were built three 308 GT/M chassis, bearing the numbers 001, 002 and 003. Ferrari constructed Chassis 001 in 1984 and used it as a test mule to refine the design, including extensive track testing at Fiorano Circuit. It was sold to Belgian driver Jean “Beurlys” Blaton in June 1984. In sporadic local Belgian rallies, Blaton ran the car in races. Raffaele “Lele” Pinto participated in the 1984 Rally di Monza while operating Chassis 002. Pinto finished fourth, trailing a “standard” Gr.B 308 GTB due to damage to the back suspension caused by rainy driving conditions. A private owner repaired 002 and operated it as a road vehicle after that. Henk Koel, a Dutch driver, is the owner of Chassis 003. Fall 1986 saw the start of 003’s construction, which was finished in April 1987. Although Chassis 003 has appeared at numerous Ferrari track events, it has never been used in rally racing.
How does the Ferrari 308 drive?
However, in general, any 308 or 328 is a safe bet. By contemporary Ferrari standards, it is a straightforward vehicle that is also rather easy to maintain, generally dependable, and affordable. In comparison to Ferrari, they cost comparatively little to maintain if they haven’t been damaged by accidents or improper care.
What Ferrari is the most expensive?
- Jo Schlesser raced a red 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO in 1960, which was auctioned for $52 million in 2013.
- With a sale price of $70.2 million, another Ferrari 250 GTO in silver blue was the most expensive automobile ever.
In Hawaii Five O, what Ferrari may be seen?
This 1984 Ferrari 308 GTS has been verified by the car’s manufacturer as having been driven by Tom Selleck during “Magnum P.I.” season 1984–1985 filming in Hawaii.
While the production crew waits for the next scene, one of the Ferrari 308 GTS cars from “Magnum P.I.” is parked on a street in Honolulu in 1988.
Ferrari North America lent CBS a variety of automobiles for use on “Magnum P.I.” during the 1980s season’s filming. In 1988, this one was put up for sale at $100,000. This week’s sale of another Ferrari that was utilized on the program is anticipated to attract bids of at least $250,000.
One of the original Ferraris driven by actor Tom Selleck during the 1980s television series “Magnum P.I.,” which was filmed in Hawaii, sold today for $181,500.
One of the approximately 15 vehicles the business claims CBS utilized on the show while it was in production on Oahu from 1980 through 1988, the 1984 Ferrari 308 GTS was sold by the British auction house Bonhams. The car was used in three separate model years (1978, 1980, and 1984), some for driving scenes and others for close-up views. CBS received the automobiles from Ferrari North America, which then took them back to paint and sell to new owners when the filming was finished.
It is confirmed that Selleck himself drove the Ferrari being offered today, which was purchased by an unnamed bidder at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona, during the 1984–85 season of “Magnum P.I.” Along with an enhanced exhaust system (the factory stock exhaust parts are also included in the sale), it has a 2,926cc V8 engine, a 5-speed manual transmission, and a refurbished interior.
The vehicle was sold to a person in California in 1985 after it was returned to the manufacturer. With only 12,800 miles on the odometer when they sold it to the present owner (who will remain unknown), that person added fewer than 25,000 miles to the engine during the following more than 30 years.
An emergency tool box and magnetic trouble light that arrived with the car — in the original bag, no less — were also included in the sale along with other spare parts, in addition to a “history file” that also includes a note from Ferrari attesting to the vehicle’s provenance.
In Arizona, an auction with more than 100 vehicles was scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. local time. The business anticipated that the Ferrari would sell for between $150,000 and $250,000.
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