Ferrari 308 GTBi :: FactFile

The 308GTB was Ferrari's very first V8-engined two-seater ­ a short, re-styled version of the 308GT4, which was already on the market. The pedigree established then continues to this day ­ for the 360 Modena is a direct descendant. From 1975 to 1988, this family was made in three generations, and two styles. All cars had multi-tube steel chassis frames, with low-nosed steel body shells which featured pop-up headlamps. All had mid-mounted, transversely positioned, twin-cam engines, in unit with five-speed gearboxes, which drove the rear wheels.

Pininfarina styled the car (it was available in closed coupe or Targa-top 'Spider' two-seater form). The 'B' in 308GTB stands for 'Berlinetta' (little saloon), the 'S' in GTS for 'Spider', or open-top sports car. Bodies for both types were produced at the Scaglietti factory in Modena, with final assembly by Ferrari at Maranello in Italy. As the 'entry-level' Ferraris of this period, they were always the company's best sellers, with more than 1,000 cars being built every year.

From 1980 a longer-wheelbase car with 2+2 seating, the Mondial, was added. Although these versions were very practical, the '+2' seating was very cramped, and the styling was not as fluid as that of the GTB.

Early cars had 250bhp/2.9-litre engines and a 154mph top speed. After a temporary drop to 214bhp (blame USA engine emission rules for that), four-valve heads were adopted (this returned peak power to 240bhp), and finally (for the 328GTB type) the engines were enlarged to 270bhp/3.2-litres with 160mph top speeds. In 1975, original UK-market cars cost £11,992, but by 1988 a 328GTB cost £44,196.

 

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