Auto customiser George Barris might not be a well-known name outside of certain circles, but his work in Hollywood is well recognised, with machines like the original Batmobile as well as Knight Rider’s KITT. His off-screen creations are equally attractive, and this Ferrari 308 GTS proves it.

Barris bought this 308 GTS in 1978 for his personal pleasure, but of course he couldn’t leave it alone, and began customising from nose to tail. The pop-up headlights were replaced by driving lights inspired by the 512 BB, and the headlamps were relocated to the new custom grille. The front and rear spoilers were also brand new, while the front and rear arches were flared drastically for accommodating extra-wide wheels and tyres. Barris also laid on an eye-catching two-tone gold and brown colour scheme with Italian tricolore stripes.

Barris’ interior work is on a whole new level, with a customised digital instrument pod and centre console, NEC phone, Sony TV, Kenwood audio system, backup camera and a security key pad. Bear in mind that all this work was done in the late 1970s and this sort of setup was space age for its time, and it later went on to appear in Knight Rider as the ‘Dagger D-X’. The unique 308 GTS will be auctioned off at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale event next month.