1977 Ferrari 308 GTS

Ferrari introduced its Pininfarina-styled 308 GTB in 1975 at the Paris Motor Show, as a replacement for the Dino 246 and a parallel model to the Bertone-shaped Dino 308 GT4. The design was courtesy of Leonardo Fioravanti and the early examples wore lightweight fiberglass bodies and were equipped with a carbureted V8 engine delivering 255 horsepower in European guise. The Targa version followed in 1977 and would gain fame during its regular appearances on the television series 'Magnum, P.I'.

Ferrari's line of V8-engined road cars began in 1973 with the 308 GT4. Wearing the 'Dino' badge, the all-new 308 GT4 2+2 superseded the Dino V6 and its wedge-shaped styling was by Bertone rather than Pininfarina. The 3.0-liter quad-cam V8 engine, which was carried over to its successor, was highly praised but the styling was not universally well received.

The F106 AB V8 engine had single coil ignition, four twin-choke Weber 40DCNF carburetors, and developed 255 horsepower at 6,600 RPM. Emission control devices reduced output on American-market cars to 237 horsepower at 6,600 RPM. Cars sent to Japan, Australia, and the U.S. were given a conventional wet sump engine from the GT4. European GTB models retained the dry sump lubrication until 1981.

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

Ferrari produced 3,219 examples of the GTS and 2,897 of the GTB from 1975 to 1980. Of those, 808 examples wore fiberglass (vetroresina in Italian) Berlinetta coachwork.

The Ferrari 308 GTBi and GTSi
The use of Bosch K-Jetronic mechanical fuel injection in 1980 led to the GTBi and GTSi. Both emissions and power decreased, now rated at 211 horsepower on European models and 202 on federalized models. The fuel injection system used a Marelli MED 803A Digiplex electronic ignition, and each bank of cylinders had a coil, distributor, and ignition module. Exterior styling remained unchanged except for metric-sized wheels of a slightly different design, wrapped with Michelin TRX radial tires. Buyers had the option of purchasing Michelin XWX on 16-inch wheels. Updates to the interior included a new black steering wheel with three perforated spokes, a new seat pattern, and the clock and oil temperature gauge were relocated to the center console.

Before the arrival of the 308 Quattrovalvole in 1982, first shown at the Paris Motor Show, Ferrari built 494 examples of the GTBi and 1,743 of the GTSi. The Quattrovalvole name was in reference to the four valves per cylinder (quattrovalvole meaning 'four valves' in Italian) which restored the engine's output to 240 bhp. Apart from the DOHC 32-valve cylinder heads, the V8 engine was essentially the same as the one in the 308 GTSi. It displaced 2,927cc, had a bore of 81 mm (3.19 inch) and a stroke of 71 mm (2.80), and U.S. specification variants produced 230 (SAE) net at 6,800 RPM and 188 lb-ft (255 Nm) at 5,500 RPM of torque. The Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection system and Magneti Marelli Digiplex electronic ignition were carried over from the previous GTBi and GTSi. The gear and final drive ratios were altered to suit the revised characteristics of the four valves per cylinder engine.

Minor styling updates to the exterior distinguished the Quattrovalvole from its predecessor, with power-operated mirrors carrying a small enamel Ferrari badge, slim louvred panel in the front lid to aid radiator exhaust air exit, rectangular side repeaters, and a redesigned radiator grille with rectangular driving lights on each side. The interior received a satin black three-spoke steering wheel with triangular center and cloth seat centers became optional to the standard full leather. Additional optional equipment included a satin black roof aerofoil (standard on Japanese market models), wider, 16-inch Speedline wheels with Pirelli P7 tires, air conditioning, metallic paint, and a deep front spoiler.

Between 1982 and 1985 the quattrovalvole was produced in a total of 3042 GTS and only 748 GTB examples.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2022