www.QV500.com - Ferrari 308 Part 1: 308 GTB 'Fibreglass'
 
The 308 GTB was Ferrari's true successor to their much loved 246 Dino, one of the most highly regarded vehicles ever produced in Maranello. Employing the same basic formula with it's mid-engined configuration and strict two-seat cabin, the 308 was even more of a success than the Dino, not least commercially, continuing in production until 1985 by which point it had become the most popular Ferrari ever. Eventually replaced by the subtly revised 328, several different variations had been made, the first cars all being Berlinetta’s with fibreglass bodywork. The next series came with steel bodies and at this point, Ferrari introduced a Targa-topped GTS.
   
Superceded by a fuel-injected model and finally the QV with it's four valve head, there were also a multitude of competition versions prepared by Michelotto of Padova, all of which are covered in the accompanying chapters. Practically identical to the 308 GT4 except for its shortened wheelbase (from 2550mm to 2340mm), the 308 GTB's chassis was fabricated from large section oval steel tubes with additional bracing for US specification cars. The mechanical components were almost identical to Bertone's 308 GT4 as well, albeit with the exception of more sporting dry-sump lubrication. This allowed the engine to run cooler and more consistently during hard driving. However this competition-derived feature was only to be found on European spec 308 GTB's with those cars destined for the likes of the USA, Japan and Australia all retaining the GT4's wet sump Tipo F106 AE engine. Euro engines though were designated Tipo F106 AB, both these Rocchi designed units being transversely mounted three-litre 90° V8's. Displacement was 2926cc thanks to a bore and stroke of 81mm x 71mm respectively, output of the AB motor being 255bhp at 7700rpm with compression set at 8.8:1 and four 40 DCNF twin-choke downdraught Weber carburettors. The rest of the world-spec Tipo F106 AE units developed 240bhp at 6600rpm but were otherwise identical. Performance was impressive with Euro specification examples posting zero to sixty times of 6.2 seconds and top speeds of 155mph.
 
After the mixed aesthetic success of Bertone's 308 GT4, Ferrari returned to Pininfarina for a body and interior to be designed around their new two seat model. Elements from the 246 Dino's that the 308 GTB was replacing were clearly evident, in particular the scalloped engine intake scoops and concave rear windscreen. A family lineage with the 365 GT4 Berlinetta Boxer (again designed by Pininfarina) was also clearly evident from the chiselled nose and rear lighting arrangements. The 308's stunning lines were universally well received and the design still seems fresh today, these cars having aged very little in contrast to many other period machines.
   
Early 308 GTB's were produced almost entirely from fibreglass (with the exception of aluminium for the front hood), the first series production Ferrari to be clothed in such a material. Bodies were fabricated by Ferrari's Carrozzeria Scaglietti subsidiary while interiors were also to a completely new design. Trimmed in leather as standard, they featured a very attractive Momo three spoke leather steering wheel and electric windows. Launched during October 1975 at the Paris Salon, the 308 GTB was an immediate success with the press and public alike singing the praises of Ferrari's new car. Options included a deeper, more aggressive front spoiler, air conditioning (standard on US specification 308's), metallic paint, the Boxer paint finish (where the lower sections of the body would be finished in matt black) and marginally wider wheels that filled the arches a little more than the standard issue pieces. Scaglietti halted production of the glassfibre 308 GTB's in June 1977 after 712 units had been completed, 87 of which were right-hand drive. This end was attributable to a number of concerns but most closely related to the more expensive and time-consuming production of glassfibre, problems with finding suitably skilled specialists for accident repairs and the requests (mostly by American customers) for their cars to be bodied in steel. However, glassfibre 308 GTB's were produced simultaneously with the steel bodied cars for just over six months.