1978 Ferrari 308 GTB

The Ferrari 308 GTB was a combination of curvaceous bodywork and approachable performance, with its low curb weight and potent V8 allowing it to sprint from zero-to-sixty mph in 6.6 seconds and top speeds in excess of 150 mph. It was introduced in October of 1975 at the Paris Motorshow and superseded the Dino 246 GT as the company's mid-engined sportscar offering.

The stunning two-seat coachwork was created by Leonardo Fioravanti of Pininfarina and incorporated some of its predecessor's design cues with the later 365 GT4/BB. Items adopted from the Boxer include the dihedral groove at bumper level splitting top and bottom, the plunging nose, and the sail panels reaching back to meet a shallower spoiler. From the Dino came the conical side air intakes and recessed concave rear window. The GTS models had a removable roof panel with a grained satin black finish, and when not in use, could be stowed in a vinyl cover behind the seats.

The 308 rode on five-spoke 14-inch alloy wheels, and later in production, a 16-inch wheel became optional along with high compression pistons, a high lift camshaft, a sports exhaust system, and a deeper front spoiler.

Ferrari's line of V8-engined road cars began in 1973 with the 308 GT4, badged as a 'Dino' and wearing wedge-shaped styling by Bertone. The all-new 308 GT4 2+2 superseded the V6-engined Dino and was praised for its potent 3.0-liter quad-cam V8 engine. The styling, however, was not well received and when the contemporary styled 308 GTB arrived, Ferrari's second V8 road car, signaled a return to Pininfarina styling. It was badged as a 'proper' Ferrari rather than a 'Dino.' Apart from the styling, the 308 GTB had changed little mechanically apart from a reduction in both wheelbase and weight, retaining its predecessor's underpinnings and transversely mounted engine that now featured dry-sump lubrication.

The 308 GTB rested on a tubular steel chassis with independent coil spring/wishbone suspension at the front and rear, complemented by anti-roll bars, adjustable dampers and disc brakes. The wheelbase measured 92.1-inches (2340mm), a length of 166.5-inches (4230mm), a width of 67.7 inches (1720mm), and a height of just 44.1 inches (1120mm). Placed midship was the Formula One-derived, all-alloy, quad-camshaft 3.0-liter V8 F106AB V-8 with four twin-choke Weber 40DCNF carburetors. It delivered 250 horsepower (188 kW) at 6,600 RPM for European versions and 237 horsepower (177 kW) at 6,600 RPM for the emissions-friendly American versions. American-market cars and those built for Australia and Japan received conventional wet-sump lubrication while the European versions had dry-sump lubrication. The engine was placed at a 90-degree configuration and was transversely mounted in unit with the transaxle transmission assembly, which was below and to the rear of the engine's sump. The fully synchromesh five-speed 'dog-leg' manual gearbox was paired with a clutch-type limited-slip differential. The steering was via an unassisted rack and pinion setup.

The early examples of the 308 GTB were built by Carrozzeria Scaglietti with bodywork comprised entirely of glass-reinforced plastic (or GRP), resulting in a very low weight of 2,315 lbs (1,050 kg). By June of 1977, the 308 began receiving steel bodies which added approximately 331 pounds (150 kg) of weight.

The Ferrari 308 GTS arrived in 1977 at the Frankfurt Motor Show and all examples wore the steel bodies. European GTB models used the dry-sump lubrication system until 1981, while all GTS models received a wet-sump engine. Various differences existed for export markets, specifically the American market to comply with stringent U.S. road safety standards. Performance suffered as the compression ratio was decreased from 9.2:1 to 8.6:1, plus the added weight of a sturdier frame and larger, heavier bumpers.

Although production of the GTS was shorter than its GTB sibling, the GTS proved to be the more popular of the two with 3,219 examples built from 1977 to 1980 compared to 2,897 of the GTB built from 1975 to 1980. Of these, 808 examples were the fiberglass versions (known as vetroresina in Italian).

The Ferrari 308 GTBi/GTSi
A Bosch K-Jetronic mechanical fuel injection decreased emissions and horsepower. This system was installed in 1980 resulting in updated names of the 308 GTBi and GTSi. The European models were now rated at 211 horsepower and 202 horsepower on federalized models. Before the 308 Quattrovalvole's arrival in 1982, Ferrari built 494 examples of the GTBi and 1,743 of the GTSi.

The fuel injection system used a Marelli MED 803A Digiplex electronic ignition system with a coil, distributor, and ignition module for each bank of cylinders. Exterior revisions were extremely minimal, with the wheels now using metric sizes, a slightly different design, and wrapped with Michelin TRX radial tires. 16-inch wheels with Michelin XWX tires were optional. The interior received more attention than the exterior, with a new black steering wheel with three perforated spokes, and the relocation of the clock and oil temperature gauge to the center console. The pattern of the seats was of a new design.

The Ferrari 308 GTB/GTS Quattrovalvole
Seven years after the introduction of the 308 GTB, Ferrari once again selected the Paris Motor Show for the introduction of its 308 quattrovalvole variants. The Ferrari 308 show in 1975 was very similar in design and 'on paper' to the one displayed in 1982. Both had similar styling (albeit a GTS version was now available) and both produced similar amounts of horsepower. The main difference was the four valves per cylinder of the 1982 model, earning it the name 'quattrovalvole', which literally 'four valves' in Italian. While the 1975 Ferrari 308 had produced 252 horsepower, the more modern 1982 'quattrovalvole' delivered 240 horsepower with much improved emissions.

The 2,927cc DOHC 32-valve V8 engine produced 237 horsepower at 7,000 RPM for European specification cars and 230 bhp for the U.S.-designed models. U.S market cars had catalytic converters, and the Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection and Magneti Marelli Digiplex electronic ignition were carried over from the GTBi/GTSi. Slight updates were made to the gear and final drive ratios.

Minor styling updates were applied to both the interior and exterior, helping to distinguish it from previous variants. The exterior was given power-operated mirrors with a small enamel Ferrari badge, a slim louvered panel in the front lid and a redesigned radiator grille with rectangular driving lights on each side. The previous round side repeaters were replaced by rectangular-shaped units, complimenting the rectangular driving lights.

The steering wheel was once again updated with a satin black three-spoke unit with a triangular center. The seats continued to be offered in full leather but could be optioned with a cloth center. Additional option equipment included wider wheels, 16-inch Speedline wheels wrapped with Pirelli P7 tires, a satin black roof aerofoil, a deep front spoiler, metallic paint, and air conditioning. The aerofoil roof was standard on cars destined for the Japanese market.

Production of the 308 QV lasted from 1982 and 1985 with a total of 3042 examples of the GTS and 748 of the GTB produced during that time.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2022