This Ferrari Taught Me A Big Lesson When I Was Driving It With No Air Bags And Without a Seat Belt On

When Neil Jones purchased his Ferrari 308 GTB at just 26 years old, he thought he was living the fantasy of every car enthusiast. But one foggy morning, that dream nearly turned into a nightmare. In a reflective Instagram post, Jones shared the story of how a split-second decision changed his perspective on driving forever.

When I passed my driving test in 1988 my dream car was a Ferrari 308GTB. It was an impossible dream and I never thought I’d get one. They were nudging £150,000 in the boom following the passing of Enzo Ferrari, the equivalent of over £400k today.

In 1993 I bought the April issue of @classicandsportscar magazine and realised that they were now back within the realms of possibility. So I made it my goal to get one. And in 1996 I headed 200 miles up to @dkengineering in my white ‘85 Mk1 MR2 and bought Kate Cottingham’s Ferrari 308GTB for £20,500 (£40k today) and £400 extra for the 308 FPP plate. 

I was living the dream! I used the car everywhere, but I was a very young looking 26, and got stopped by police all the time…twice in 4 miles once.
But it didn’t last. A few months later, one foggy morning, late for work, I stupidly overtook a lorry and a van emerged out of the mist and I didn’t quite pull in in time. It was a glancing blow, but smashed both drivers side wheels and I careered back across the road and into the hedge. I was devastated. The car was written off (but was rebuilt and won best 308 at the Ferrari National concourse 2 years later).

 

 

Looking back I realize I could easily have been killed that day. If I hadn’t pulled in it would have been head-on at a combined speed of over 120mph. No airbags and I didn’t have a seat belt on!!!
It taught me a big lesson that day.

Respect the Power of These Machines

Jones’s story isn’t just a cautionary tale… it’s a wake up call with a side of humility. Owning high-performance vehicles like the Ferrari 308 GTB isn’t all sunshine, roaring engines, and admiring glances at stoplights.

These machines are marvels of engineering, sure, but they’re also unforgiving beasts that demand your full respect. With no airbags, no ABS, no stability control—driving a car like this is less about casually getting from A to B and more like piloting a fighter jet.

Every throttle input, every steering correction, and every braking maneuver is your responsibility, and when you get it wrong the consequences can be catastrophic.

Jones himself has since shifted his passion to building what he proudly calls the largest collection of Mk1 Toyota MR2s in the world. It’s a testament to the fact that car enthusiasm isn’t about flashy badges or excessive horsepower… it’s about appreciating the joy of driving and respecting the machines that bring us that joy.

If there’s one lesson I walked away with after that Ferrari experience, it’s this: safety is not negotiable. Modern cars come equipped with features like airbags, seat belts, and advanced safety systems for a reason: they save lives. No car, no matter how fast, flashy, or expensive, is worth risking your safety over. The simple act of buckling your seat belt and ensuring that your car’s airbags are functional can mean the difference between life and tragedy. Every time you step into a vehicle, remind yourself that the goal is to arrive safely, not to impress someone at the next stoplight.

It’s also worth reflecting on how we view cars in general. They’re not status symbols or tools to show off: they’re a means of transportation, nothing more, nothing less. A reliable, modest vehicle can get you from point A to point B just as effectively as a six-figure supercar. While it’s okay to appreciate automotive beauty and craftsmanship, don’t let the allure of expensive cars cloud your judgment. Be content with what you have, prioritize safety above all else, and remember that the best car in the world is the one that gets you home safely to your loved ones every day.

For those who have experienced a close call like Jones, what lessons did you take away from it?

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.