Buyers Guide - Ferrari 308
It is no secret that Enzo Ferrari was very reluctant to accept that his thoroughbred cars should be powered by anything rather than high-revving V12 engines. For years, he avoided even to think of engines with less than twelve cylinders, stubbornly sticking to what the company was known for. However, the irony was that small, V6-powered Ferrari under the name 246 GT Dino was the car that saved him from bankruptcy in the late '60s when all of his beloved V12-powered cars were too expensive to produce and didn't bring enough profit for the company to survive.
That is why we can safely say that V12 models are the ones that created the mythos of the Ferrari, but V6 and V8 models are the ones that kept it afloat during the turbulent '70s and '80s. The first of Dino's successors was the eponymous 308 GTB/GTS, which stayed in production until 1985 and sold in over 12,000 examples. This was one of the best cars of the period and model that perfectly materialized the vision of a smaller, more affordable, and lighter Ferrari but, at the same time, kept the striking styling, world-class performance, and soundtrack that this company was famous for.
As one of the most significant Ferraris ever made, 308's role in the company's history as well as in popular culture made it an instant classic and icon that is still very sought-after by collectors. This is one of the more affordable classic models and the perfect "starter car" for any prospective Ferrari collector. So, it goes without saying that everybody wants one and here is what you should look for.
The facts
The Ferrari 308 GTB/GTS was introduced in 1975 and sold until 1985. It was styled by Leonardo Fioravanti for Pininfarina and featured a very signature, wedge-shape design, characteristic for the mid-'70s design trends. With its perfectly weighted proportions, aggressive stance but compact dimensions, it is one of the most recognizable Ferrari models ever made. The GTB stands for Gran Turismo Berlinetta, and GTS stands for Gran Turismo Spider. The first one is a regular model with a fixed roof, and the second is a "Targa"-styled convertible with the removable central section of the top. Also, the numeric designation "308" suggested that the car's displacement was 3 liters (actually 2.9-liters), and the engine had eight cylinders.
The 2.9-liter V8 was fed by four carburetors and delivered healthy 255 hp (European spec) and 240 hp (U.S. spec), which was pretty respectable for the times. With a curb weight of around 2400 pounds, 308 GTB/GTS was very fast with 0 to 60 mph times in 6.5 seconds range and a top speed of almost 170 mph. Due to nearly perfect weight distribution, handling was miles ahead of competitors, and 308 GTB had successful racing carrier even in the rally championships.
In 1980, the 308 GTBi/GTSi was introduced and featured, as you expect, a Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection system. However, the power was down to 211 hp for Europe and just 204 hp for North American models. The reason for this change was tightening emission laws introduced all over the world. Fortunately, with the introduction of 308 GTB/GTS Quattrovalvole in 1982, power was restored to original output, even enhancing the car's performance a bit. The Quattrovalvole models had new heads with had 4-valve per cylinder, hence the name.
Which one to get?
Even though Ferrari 308 endured mechanical changes over the years, the exterior design remained almost identical through the years. If you are looking for rare versions, we suggest finding an early 308 GTB with a fiberglass body, called "Vetroresina." It is little known that all 308s, produced from 1975 to 1977 had plastic bodies instead of steel ones, like the later models. The Vetroresina models are about 150 kg lighter than later 308s, but the performance wasn't significantly better.
If you are going for that pure mechanical experience, then we suggest the earlier, carbureted examples, which are known for their fantastic engine note as well as intoxicating intake sounds. Sports car lost a part of their magic when they switched to fuel injection, and the sound of four Webber carburetors sucking air at high RPMs is hard to describe and even harder to forget once you heard it.
But if you are going for value and dependability, then the 308 GTB/GTS Quattrovalole is the one to get. Later models are usually better built, covered fewer miles, and with 4-valve per cylinder technology and fuel injection, 308 is a well-behaved sports car with still exciting performance. Of course, we wouldn't count out the 308 GTBi/GTSi models. However, their lack of power could be a turn off for most collectors.
The engine
The prospective buyers will be happy to know that the 2.9-liter V8 is a very dependable unit, as long as it is adequately maintained. Since this is an aluminum block and high revving motor, the oil consumption is to be expected, especially if you know that most of those engines are over 40 years old. That being said, a small amount of smoke is to be expected and tolerated when starting the car. However, large amounts and seeing white smoke is a sure sign that piston rings are on their last legs and that the engine is in desperate need of a full rebuild. As you would expect, something like this is costly, both in parts and labor.
The later models with Bosch fuel injection are generally more dependable, but the K-Jetronic system is notorious for being hard to adjust and repair. If the car has sat for a long time or was neglected, the chances are that you will need a very expensive and completely new fuel system. If you are looking to restore the 308 GTB/GTS from the ground up, you might be better off with an earlier, carbureted example.
Do not fear high-mileage examples since the Ferrari 308 was designed to be driven and used daily. If the car were properly maintained and cared for, it would reward the careful owner with fantastic durability, at least for Italian sports cars from the '70s.
Of course, the complete service history is a must, and cars with checkered past, no matter how good the condition they might be in, cannot command the high prices.
Bodywork
Even the bigger and more expensive problem can be the bodywork, and you should pay particular attention when inspecting the body of the Ferrari 308. Apart from the couple hundred Vetroresina cars, which are made of fiberglass, all the rest 308s are prone to rust. Rust can be a big problem since 308's chassis, not just bodywork, was made out of steel tubes, and if the car was damaged, poorly repaired, and have bent chassis, it could develop structural rust, which means it is only good as a parts donor.
The common rust spot you need to check is front fenders, rear wheel arches, the bottom of the trunk, floors and rocker panels. If you notice bubbling under the paint, this is a sign of a much bigger rust problem, so take your time and thoroughly check all those places. Our advice is to remove the carpeting, insulation materials (if possible) and pull rubber seals around the door since the rust can appear there.
Interior and electronics
The interior can tell you a lot about the car's condition. Apart from the seats and dash's visual appearance and condition (shouldn't be cracked), always check the door cards, switchgear, seat mechanism, and electric devices. If the car wasn't stored properly or it was taken apart, the door card will not fit right as well as some other parts of the interior.
Most of the 308s produced are low-optioned cars, which means no A/C, no power windows or mirrors, which is good since there are fewer things to worry about. However, if the perspective example has some of those features, they should work flawlessly. Broken A/C shouldn't be a deal-breaker but will require a sizeable discount on the asking price.
If the car comes with original wheels, tools, and luggage set, it was well-cared for and probably original and in excellent condition.
What to pay
Due to the fact that the Ferrari 308 production numbers are quite high, there are a lot of good examples to choose from. Also, a lot of really rough cars you should stay away from. The Ferrari 308 suffered from a period of relative obscurity when it was overshadowed by newer and faster models. This means that some examples were abandoned, crashed, neglected, parted out, and so on. There are still reports of "barn finds" 308s, which were parked sometime in the '80s and forgotten. As cool as it is to own such a car, we suggest you stick to well-maintained cars that are in full working condition and ready to be driven because restoring any classic Ferrari is a costly and stressful process.
Currently, prices for roadworthy Ferrari 308s start at around $50,000 and go all the way to the $100,000 mark for best examples. The good thing is that there were over 12,000 Ferraris 308 made during its 10-year production run, so interested enthusiasts can easily shop around for a perfect car. At the same time, prices are affordable to a much wider audience.
That means the only question you need to ask yourself is, do you want to buy another well-optioned but dead-boring full-size SUV, or you wish to park an iconic '70s Ferrari, with a screaming V8 engine and Magnum P.I. credentials in your driveway and be the envy of the whole neighborhood?
Yes, we want the red with tan interior, too.
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