Ferrari 308

Introduction

The 308 GTB 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.

The 308 came in two body styles, over three generations. The GTB, or berlinetta body, had a solid roof and slightly greater rigidity. The 308 GTB debuted in 1975. The GTS, or spider body, had a removable roof panel and first appeared in late 1977. The light roof panel was made of covered fiberglass. With windows down and roof off, the popular GTS was open from door to door. The three generations consist of the 308, 308i and 308qv. Apart from minor styling and accent changes, their engines differentiate the generations. The original 308 was carburetted and available from 1975 to 1980. The 1981-82 308i was fuel injected. The 308qv, for quattrovalvole, was fuel injected with four valves per cylinder, and was made from 1982 to 1985.

The 308 allowed its driver to experience a racecar thrill, and it also invited the passenger to relax in comfort and enjoy the ride. The 308 was by no means the first Ferrari to offer sumptuous surroundings with full leather upholstery and stylish appointments, but it offered far more for the casual driver.

Ferrari 308 Drivetrain

The heart of the 308 series was its three litre V8 engine. The 308, 308i and 308qv are differentiated mainly by engine developments necessitated by emission control laws enacted throughout the ten years in which the car was produced. Changes were primarily made to improve power and reliability. 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 whilst 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.

308GT

The 308GTB's 2926cc engine was an all alloy 90 degree V, with an 81mm bore and 71mm stroke shared by the legendary type 365 Ferrari V12. The cylinder liners were cast iron and shrunk into place, providing a balance of great strength and low weight. Connecting rods were paired and balanced with the pistons and five main bearing crankshaft. The compression ratio was 8.8:1. The cylinder head provided an appropriate flow with two valves per cylinder and dual overhead camshafts driven by toothed belts.

The 308 engine breathed through four twin choke Weber 40DCNF carburetors and large diameter manifolds with a tuned exhaust system. In the US ignition was from dual Magneti Marelli distributors driven off both intake camshafts. The engine was cooled through a front mounted radiator connected to the block by stainless steel and rubber pipes. Power of the 1976 308GTB was rated at 240bhp at 7700rpm on North American models. Torque was rated over 208lbs-ft at 5000rpm.

308 GTi

In 1981 Ferrari responded to new regulation by switching to fuel injection for the 308i. The system was a Bosch K-Jetronic system with digital electronic ignition by Magneti-Marelli. Power was 205bhp at 6600rpm, torque being over 178lbs-ft at 4600rpm.

308 qv

In 1983 Ferrari produced the 308 qv: 'quattrovalvole' meaning four valves per cylinder. The increased flow provided by these heads combined with high pressure fuel injection and new low resistance, high strength nikasil cylinder liners restored power with greater smoothness. Power was rated at 235bhp at 6800rpm with torque peaking above 187lbs-ft at 5500rpm.

Transmission

The transmission in all 308 models 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. The 308 qv was given lower ratios and a revised final drive reflecting the greater importance of acceleration over top speed in North America.

Ferrari 308 Specifications308 GTB/GTS

Dimensions
Length	172.4 in
Width	67.7 in
Height	44.1 in
Wheelbase	92.1 in
Front track	57.5 in
Rear track	57.5 in
Weight (Dry)	GTB 3159 lbs GTS 3225 lbs
Wheels front	6.5J X 14
Wheels rear	6.5J X 14
Tires front	205/70 R 14
Tires rear	205/70 R 14
Engine
90° Alloy V8 mounted transversely rear amidship
Dual Overhead Camshafts, Two Valves per Cylinder
Displacement	2926cc
Bore & Stroke	81mm X 71mm
Compression	8.8:1
Fuel Delivery	Carburettion
Fuel System	Weber 40 DCNF Carburettors
Ignition	Magneti-Marelli
Maximum Power	240bhp @ 7700rpm
Maximum Torque	209lb-ft @ 5000rpm
Specific Output	82 bhp / liter

308 GTBi/GTSi

Dimensions
Length	172.4 in
Width	67.7 in
Height	44.1 in
Wheelbase	92.1 in
Front track	57.5 in
Rear track	57.5 in
Weight (Dry)	GTBi 3317 lbs GTSi 3366 lbs
Wheels front	165 TR 390
Wheels rear	165 TR 390
Tires front	240/55 VR 15
Tires rear	240/55 VR 15
Engine
90° Alloy V8 mounted transversely rear amidship
Dual Overhead Camshafts, Two Valves per Cylinder
Displacement	2926cc
Bore & Stroke	81mm X 71mm
Compression	8.8:1
Fuel Delivery	Fuel Injection
Fuel System	Bosch K Jetronic
Ignition	Magneti-Marelli
Maximum Power	205 bhp @ 6600rpm
Maximum Torque	179 lb-ft @ 4600rpm
Specific Output	70 bhp / liter

308 GTB/GTS Quattrovalvole

Dimensions
Length	172.4 in
Width	67.7 in
Height	44.1 in
Wheelbase	92.1 in
Front track	57.5 in
Rear track	57.5 in
Weight (Dry)	GTBqv 3190 lbs GTSqv 3229 lbs
Wheels front	165 TR 390
Wheels rear	165 TR 390
Tires front	240/55 VR 15
Tires rear	240/55 VR 15
Engine
90° Alloy V8 mounted transversely rear amidship
Dual Overhead Camshaft, Four Valves per Cylinder
Displacement	2926cc
Bore & Stroke	81mm X 71mm
Compression	8.6:1
Fuel Delivery	Fuel Injection
Fuel System	Bosch K Jetronic
Ignition	Magneti-Marelli
Maximum Power	235bhp @ 6800rpm
Maximum Torque	188lb-ft @ 5500rpm
Specific Output	80 bhp / liter