- Free-revving 2.9-litre V8 engine
- Classic Pininfarina styling
- High maintenance costs
Review: Ferrari Mk.I 308 (1975-77)
Overview
Released in 1975, the Ferrari Mk.I 308 GTB was a mid-engined, rear-wheel drive coupe with two-plus-two seating. Hand-made in Maranello, Italy, the 308 GTB was powered by a 2.9-litre V8 petrol engine that was mated to a five-speed manual transmission.
The 2925 cc Tipo 105A V8 petrol engine had an alloy block and cylinder head, iron cylinder liners, dry sump lubrication, belt-driven double overhead camshafts (per cylinder bank), four Weber downdraft dual-throat 40 DCNF carburetors, two valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 8.8:1. The engine was mated to an all synchromesh five-speed manual transmission which had a single-plate clutch.
Designed by Leonardo Fioravanti of Pininfarina, the 308 was 4230 mm long, 1720 mm wide, 1120 mm tall and had a 2340 mm long wheelbase; dry weight was 1050 kg. Unusually, the Mk.I 308 had fibreglass body panels (with the exception of the aluminium bonnet and steel rocker panels), possibly due to fiberglass moulds being quicker to produce than dies for metal pressings. Due to its limited production of 808 vehicles and the use of conventional steel body panels for the Mk.II 308, the Mk.I 308 is regarded as a more collectable vehicle and can be identified by the small horizontal joint on the upper part of the windscreen pillars.
The 308 had independent, double wishbone suspension front and rear with coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers and anti-roll bars.
| Body | Variant | Years | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupe | GTB | 1975-77 | 2.9-litre petrol V8 | 5sp man. | 167 kW at 6400 rpm | 284 Nm at 5000 rpm |
Features
Australian-delivered 308 GTB models featured 14-inch alloy wheels with 205/60 VR14 tyres, leather upholstery, air conditioning and a leather-wrapped three-spoke Momo steering wheel.
Review: Ferrari Mk.II 308 (1977-85)
Overview
From June 1977 (and late 1976 for the US market), the Mk.II 308 GTB was produced with conventional steel body panels – this change has been attributed to faster and cheaper production, or to ease of repair. In 1978, the 308 range was expanded with the introduction of the 308 GTS which had a removable satin black-finished fibreglass targa top that could be stowed behind the seats when not in use.
The engines for the Mk.II 308 GTS models had wet-sump lubrication, though GTB engines continued to have dry sump lubrication until the introduction of Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection for the 308 GTBi and 308 GTSi in 1980. Despite the introduction of fuel injection, these engines were less powerful than their carbureted predecessors due to more stringent emissions targets.
From January 1984 production, corrosion resistance for the steel body was improved through the application of ‘Zincrox’, an electrolytic-applied multi-layer coating which consisted of a layer of zinc on the steel surface, followed by a layer of chrome and then chrome oxide.
308 GTS Quattrovalvole
Available in Australia from October 1984, 308 GTS Quattrovalvole engine had four valves per cylinder, Niksail cylinder liners and a higher compression ratio of 9.2:1 (previously 8.8:1). Visually, the 308 GTS Quattrovalvole models could be identified by:
- The addition of a slim louvre panel in the front bonnet to aid radiator exhaust air exit;
- Power operated door mirrors with a small enamel Ferrari badge on the shell;
- Revised radiator grille with rectangular driving lights at the extremities;
- Rectangular side repeater lights (previously round); and,
- Inside, there were revised bucket seats, a redesigned centre console (with clock and oil temperature gauges) and the leather rimmed three-spoke steering wheel had a triangulated section around the horn area.
For Australia, the GTBi Quattrovalvole was not officially imported.
| Body | Variant | Years | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupe | GTB | 1977-80 | 2.9-litre petrol V8 | 5sp man. | 164 kW at 6600 rpm | 284 Nm at 5000 rpm |
| GTBi | 1980-84 | 2.9-litre petrol V8 | 5sp man. | 157 kW at 6600 rpm | 243 Nm at 4600 rpm | |
| Targa | GTS | 1978-80 | 2.9-litre petrol V8 | 5sp man. | 164 kW at 6600 rpm | 284 Nm at 5000 rpm |
| GTSi | 1980-84 | 2.9-litre petrol V8 | 5sp man. | 157 kW at 6600 rpm | 243 Nm at 4600 rpm | |
| GTS Quattrovalvole | 1984-85 | 2.9-litre petrol V8 | 5sp man. | 176 kW at 7000 rpm | 260 Nm at 5000 rpm |
Features
Compared to its Mk.I predecessor, standard features for the Mk.II 308 GTB were largely unchanged.
With the introduction of the GTBi and GTSi models, the 308 was fitted with 390 mm Michelin TRX (metric) tyres as standard, though 14-inch alloys with Michelin XWX tyres and 16-inch alloys with Pirelli P7 tyres were available as an option.
The GTS Quattrovalvole, however, was fitted with 16-inch wheels as standard.
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