1979 Ferrari 308 GTB pictures and wallpaper 1979 Ferrari 308 GTB pictures and wallpaper 1979 Ferrari 308 GTB pictures and wallpaper 1979 Ferrari 308 GTB pictures and wallpaper
1979 Ferrari 308 GTB pictures and wallpaper 1979 Ferrari 308 GTB pictures and wallpaper 1979 Ferrari 308 GTB pictures and wallpaper 1979 Ferrari 308 GTB pictures and wallpaper
1979 Ferrari 308 GTB pictures and wallpaper 1979 Ferrari 308 GTB pictures and wallpaper 1979 Ferrari 308 GTB pictures and wallpaper 1979 Ferrari 308 GTB pictures and wallpaper



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Coupe
Designer: Pininfarina
Chassis Num: 208GTB25021
 
The 308

Introduced in 1975, the stunningly beautiful 308 GTB, Ferrari's second V-8-engined road car, marked a return to Pininfarina styling following the Bertone-designed Dino 308 GT4. The 308 was a short-wheelbase Berlinetta sharing a similar mechanical layout to the GT4, but with only two seats and beautifully styled coachwork, incorporating plenty of similarities with the 245 GT trumpeted as its successor. It was an instant classic. The new model was slightly different mechanically from the Dino, apart from a reduction in both wheelbase and weight; it retained its predecessor's drivetrain and transversely mounted 3-liter, quad-cam engine that now featured dry-sump lubrication (until 1976). The engine, mated with a 5-speed transaxle, produced 255 bhp (it lost 20 bhp thanks to tighter emissions laws in 1976), a number good enough to propel the 308 GTB to a top speed of 150 mph.

This Car
This 308 is arguably one of the finest original examples of a Ferrari 308 GTB in existence, showing just over 14,000 miles of use. There is perhaps no better proof of the statement than the opinion of the judges at the 2005 Palm Beach Cavallino Classic (as well as 2003 and 2004), who awarded this 308 with the First Place Platinum 'Best in Class' Award as well as the Coppa Meccanica for scoring 100% on a mechanical inspection and road test. Originally from Texas, the Ferrari made its way to California, where it spent little time stretching its legs before being shipped off to Florida. Over the years, each owner has cared for the car with exceptional consideration, not only maintaining its condition, but preserving its originality from the Michelin XWX tires (including the still-stickered spare, which has never touched the ground) to the interior and its factory A/C.

The Argento Silver livery with black-and-blue leather pairing is rarely seen on 308s (only one of 13 ever made).

Source - Gooding & Company
The Pininfarina designed Ferrari 308 was debut in 1975 and was immediately a success. The vehicles performance, handling, and styling were phenomenal.

For the initial 18 months of the 308 GTB's production, fiberglass was predominately used for the bodies, but later switched to all-metal. The fiberglass bodies were around 125 kg lighter.

The 308 was capable of producing 255 bhp from its 3 liter, V8, carburetor engine. In 1980, a Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection system was installed due to new emission regulations. This caused the horsepower to drop to around 215 hp, thus making the 308 GTBi the slowest of the 308 series.

In 1981, Ferrari introduced 4 valve heads for the 3 liter V8's. This 308's now became known as 308 GTB/GTS Quattrovalvole. The engine now produced 240 BHP, and with the extra weight that was imposed due to using all-metal rather than fiberglass, the performance and handling was back to where it was when it began production.

In 1985, Ferrari introduced the 328 GTB/GTS. A vehicle that came equipped with a 3185 cc engine that produced 270 BHP.
The 308 was Ferrari's first two-seat V8 road car. Made available to the public in 1975, it was the long awaited successor to the incomparable Dino 246 GT. The 308 series was a new beginning for the company as the premier builder of exotic sports cars for road use. As such, the 308 was designed to epitomize the sports car in its era. It did so admirably, and remains perhaps the most influential enthusiast car in history. The 308 is the car against which every subsequent sports car has been measured, upon which every Ferrari V8 sports and racing car has been based, and the car that brought Ferrari from the pinnacle of elite car-culture recognition into the minds of the general public. 25 years later, the shape and sound of the 308 is still 'Ferrari' in the minds of many people.

Design

The Ferrari 308 GTS provided Pininfarina with an opportunity to flex its design and styling muscle. The company responded by redefining the public's collective impression of what a Ferrari, and indeed what a sportscar, should look like. The task given Pininfarina was the creation of a two-seat mid-engined V8, and few can have expected the Turin designer to respond with such a tour de force.

The 308's shape bears a passing resemblance to Pininfarina's Dino 246 GT. Where the older car was the ultimate expression of curvaceous 1960's styling, the 308 hinted far more at the future. From its sharp nose incorporating a slim bumper and a deep air dam, to its retractable headlights and row of black louvres that vent air from the radiator, the line flows up the windshield and out around the flanks to reunite

with itself at the buttress C-pillars, ending in a very subtle rear lip spoiler. The design is so beautiful and effective that it has been a basis for exterior styling of every subsequent V8 Ferrari and an object of study for design students the world over.

GTS models had louvered panels over the whole of their rear quarter windows. Increased venting front and rear served to improve cooling with each evolution of the engine. By and large, however, the design of the 308 was so iconic and effective that it was virtually unchanged throughout its decade of production.

Drivetrain

The heart of the 308 series was its three litre V8 engine. The 2926cc Ferrari V8 was something of a departure for the company, which had mostly relied on V12s. With the V8, Ferrari could offer much of the power of their legendary V12s while improving fuel economy and saving space. By placing the engine and transmission transversely Ferrari was able to reduce the length of their new sports cars and concentrate the mass within the wheelbase, a lesson of racing.

The transmission in the 308 was a five speed with reverse all synchromesh unit. Mounted transversely like the engine, the transmission received power through an unassisted single plate clutch. The gears sent power to the rear wheels through a limited slip differential and solid driveshafts with constant velocity joints.

Source - Ferrari

Photos grouped by event

PVGP Car Shows

Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance & Motoring Festival

2006 Gooding & Company Auction: Palm Beach

2005 Palm Beach International Concours d'Elegance

2005 Palm Beach Cavallino Classic
     


 
Ferrari: 1971-1980
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Related Articles and Event Coverage
PVGP Car Shows
Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance & Motoring Festival
2006 Gooding & Company Auction: Palm Beach
2005 Palm Beach International Concours d'Elegance
2005 Palm Beach Cavallino Classic

1979 Ferrari models
Ferrari 308 GTS
Ferrari 512 BB
Ferrari 512 BBLM

Other Model Years
1980 308 GTBi
1978 308 GTB
1977 308 GTB/M Group 4
1977 308 GTB
1976 308 GTB
1976 308 GTB Competizione

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