1979 Ferrari 308 GTB

The 308

Coupe by Scaglietti

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).

by Gooding & Company

by Ferrari

One of the most well-respected Ferraris to ever roll out of Maranello was the Dino 246, an irony when one considers the car's position in its parent brand's model lineup. An entry level vehicle with only half the cylinders of its famous big brothers, the Dino wasn't even branded as a Ferrari—it wore no prancing horse motifs and had a yellow 'Dino' badge on its nose in place of the familiar, upright rectangle. It was drop-dead gorgeous, though, and it drove with athletic grace. It inspired a new class of mid-engined Ferrari sports cars that often out-handled their more expensive (and more expansive) siblings. When the Ferrari 308 was launched in October of 1975 to replace the Dino 246, it had to meet exceptionally high expectations.

After seeing that even a V6 engine wasn't likely to tarnish the brand's sparkling reputation, Ferrari repealed the bottom-feeder 'Dino' nameplate for the V8-powered 308. With a proper badge on its nose and a triumphant horse dancing on its tail, the 308's rich bloodline was flaunted with pride. This was, of course, only appropriate for a car that looked, sounded, and went like Italy's finest.

The 308 experienced a long production run, and during that time the car was slowly strangled by evolving emissions regulations that stunted its performance. Additionally, weight was added to the car very early in its production when the fiberglass bodies were replaced by steel units. Luckily, though, Ferrari has never been a company to sit back and watch as one of their cars suffers growing pains. The home of the Prancing Horse countered the aging 308's shrinking muscles and growing gut with a midlife crisis to rival the most lavish hair transplants and tummy tucks in the form of the revised Quattrovalvole model.

In 1982, when it was clear that the 308 was growing tired, Ferrari revitalized the car with the introduction of the 308 Quattrovalvole. Translated into English, the Quattrovalvole name means 'four valves.' The new nomenclature referred to a redesigned head featuring four valves per cylinder, a first for Ferrari. The updated mill still displaced 2,962cc, and was mounted transversely behind the cockpit. The compression ratio was increased from 8.8:1 to 9.2:1 (though U.S. versions made due with an 8.6:1 ratio).

The use of Bosh K-Jetronic fuel injection was continued. When first adopted by the 308 in late 1980, the fuel injected engines produced less power than their carbureted predecessors. The power of the old carbureted models was restored with the Quattrovalvole, though. The revised engines produced 240bhp at 7,000 rpm (230bhp at 6,800rpm for U.S. versions), and enabled 0-60 times of 6.1 seconds and top speeds of 155mph.

Two body styles were offered to Quattrovalvole customers, the 308 GTBi and the 308 GTSi. The former was a coupe, while the latter came with a removable roof panel. The 308 design was penned by Pininfarina, and the Quattrovalvole models had several styling features unique to them. New side mirrors and horizontal vents across the width of the 'hood' (front lid) were included, along with a subtly reworked front grille and bumper treatment incorporating driving lights. Beginning in 1984, body panels for the Quattrovalvoles were coated to prevent corrosion.

Ferrari produced the 308 Quattrovalvole until 1985, when the 308 model range was succeeded by the 328. The 308 models in general make exceptional 'starter' Ferraris for enthusiasts who seek to experience the thrills of exotic car ownership for the price of a new Camry. Though Quattrovalvole values are on the upper end of the 308 cost spectrum, they offer an unbeatable pedigree-to-price ratio.

Sources:

'Ferrari 308 Part 4: 308 Quattrovalvole.' QV500.com (2008): n. pag. Web. 6 Jan 2010. http://www.qv500.com/ferrari308p1.php.

Oldham, Scott. 'Long-Term Test: 1984 Ferrari 308 GTSi Quattrovalvole.' Inside Line (2007): n. pag. Web. 6 Jan 2010. http://www.insideline.com/ferrari/308/1984/long-term-test-1984-ferrari-308-gtsi-quattrovalvole.html.

by Evan Acuña

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.

by Ferrari