78 308 GTB cosmetic restoration | FerrariChat

78 308 GTB cosmetic restoration

Discussion in '308/328' started by Newman, Oct 2, 2011.

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  1. Newman

    Newman F1 World Champ
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    #1 Newman, Oct 2, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Yesterday a 308 was dropped off at my place for a complete repaint, interior, remove engine and geabox for a physical, new emblems, exterior lights etc. Ill be going through the mechanicals and address them as needed and end up with a great 308. This car is typical of most driver 308's (plus a few extra dents) but because it came from a warm dry climate, its pretty much free of rust which is great and makes for a good starting point for what will be close to a full restoration. We'll be finishing the car in red on black rather than its current tan interior with a few freestyle touches along the way such as Euro bumpers, euro repeaters, raising the ride height a tad but lower than stock and something to address the US spec diaper area. Ill document the process here like I did with my yellow GTB restoration and all comments are welcome! The car's owner (Brett) has started a thread on another site as well.

    Here are the before pics.
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  2. brettgagnon

    brettgagnon Formula Junior

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    Brett Gagnon
    #2 brettgagnon, Oct 2, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  3. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #3 Dr Tommy Cosgrove, Oct 2, 2011
    That would be one I would love to own as-is.

    I could drive it anywhere anytime and never worry about it.
     
    Dane likes this.
  4. Ferraripilot

    Ferraripilot F1 World Champ
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    #4 Ferraripilot, Oct 2, 2011
    Good stuff there Paul. I believe it needs one of my radiators :)
     
  5. MS250

    MS250 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #5 MS250, Oct 2, 2011
    Hence the $30 grand 308 -

    great job Brett !! - congrats, your in great hands at Newmans !!

    The reality of the low end price 308 - needs everything !

    Cant wait to see all the pics, im sure its gonna be sweet when you get it back Brett !
     
  6. brettgagnon

    brettgagnon Formula Junior

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    #6 brettgagnon, Oct 2, 2011
    My 308 is both to be driven and to be looked at as a great Ferrari. Newman does amazing work and as such i should have both: a great driver that any Ferrari owner would be proud of.

    I cannot wait.
     
  7. trumpet77

    trumpet77 Formula 3

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    #7 trumpet77, Oct 2, 2011
    I know nothing about recovering the seats, but is the old leather ever used for anything? Made into little wallets or Boy Scout leather-craft merit badge projects or anything?
     
  8. 911rcr

    911rcr Karting

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    #8 911rcr, Oct 2, 2011
    I like the look of the 328 wheels on a 308!

    Looking forward to more updates.
     
  9. Fave

    Fave F1 Rookie

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    #9 Fave, Oct 2, 2011
    Going to get new fender sheilds? Those ones look old and worn.
     
  10. 4right

    4right F1 Rookie
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    #10 4right, Oct 2, 2011
    Looks great Paul. I am always amazed to watch you bring these cars back to proper working order. How many months of enjoyment do you anticipate we will get?
     
  11. brettgagnon

    brettgagnon Formula Junior

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    #11 brettgagnon, Oct 2, 2011
    7 months max (cough April 1st )
     
  12. Newman

    Newman F1 World Champ
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    #12 Newman, Oct 2, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    The owner is a tough cookie maybe the april 1st is an april fools joke? lol

    Several months Stan, im looking forward to going through the car and it started tonight.

    I took a shot of the deak lid hinges to point out something that I know some people arent aware of. The two 1/8" drilled holes beside the hinge bolts are to indicate the exact position you put the lid in to get proper alignment the first time - no guess work or trial and error to get it right. These ones dont line up exactly but they will when im done and this little detail makes deck alignment a 5 minute job at the most.

    Removed the rear decklid, pulled the airbox off and found a few missing spacers on the air cleaner gaskets, air filter has seen better days, 2 front plug extenders were in water for a while in the past and 2 rear extenders were not seated on the plugs so the arcing damaged the connector on the extender. Ill do a leakdown test tomorrow.
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  13. Newman

    Newman F1 World Champ
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    #13 Newman, Oct 2, 2011
    No shields, no right mirror, no US marker lights just clean and pure.
     
  14. Kiwiboy308

    Kiwiboy308 Formula Junior

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    #14 Kiwiboy308, Oct 2, 2011
    Great pics and wonderful thread. I look forward to following the progress. You couldn't get a car like this down under for $30k - more like $80k+!!!
     
  15. doug328

    doug328 Formula 3

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    #15 doug328, Oct 2, 2011
     
  16. 308 GTB

    308 GTB F1 World Champ
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    #16 308 GTB, Oct 2, 2011
    Well put Brett. And Paul knows exactly what to do.

    Barry
     
  17. Fave

    Fave F1 Rookie

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    #17 Fave, Oct 2, 2011
    Ataboy !
     
  18. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #18 BigTex, Oct 3, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Looks like you'll need an early rear shroud.....jim400i has one, or I'll be making repros.

    He is missing the mail slot valence above though.

    Check with FerrariUK, I bought one there (and the plastic oval trim.)

    It is a good idea to actually HIT the spark plug, with the extender. :D
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  19. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #19 BigTex, Oct 3, 2011
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2011
    Who among us can say they still have all 16 brass carb spacers??

    I think I am down to three per carb! LOL!


    BTW: I am always interested in a nice set of heavy azzed North American bumpers....if I hit something in Houston it will be larger than a 308, guaranteed.....
     
  20. Newman

    Newman F1 World Champ
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    #20 Newman, Oct 3, 2011
    The bumpers are most likely for sale, I noticed a small cut under the front bumper above the damage to the valance but its not to the steel structure which you can see in one of the photos above.

    We were discussing that panel above the muffler and I like the fence they put on but being a 78, the tip location was closer together than 76-77 by about a 1/2" or so, just enough to screw things up when you want to swap the diaper to a fence-like cover. Ill measure the spacing.
     
  21. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #21 BigTex, Oct 3, 2011
    That's the reason for my custom ones (two of my cars are missing them) an ANSA or aftermarket system "missing" that dimension means it won't work anymore.

    In Napolis P412 thread he has new rear screens of the EXACT same "stagger slot" material!
    I asked where he got it and he replied "Pininfarina"...

    Actually it's a standard pattern with McNichols Metals, in American dimensions...:D

    Val's shop can buy it and do them...Birdman has been waiting years.
    It takes a full sheet to get started ($500 or so, if going stainless steel)

    The OEM piece is not stainless steel.

    I actually thought about shipping it with the two trim ovals loose, panel uncut..you could measure up and tack it at the last minute.

    They could probably make the Mail Slot panel too.
     
  22. huichoval

    huichoval Formula Junior

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    #22 huichoval, Oct 3, 2011
    This is going to be 1 of the greatest threads in this section for a long time!
     
  23. MS250

    MS250 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #23 MS250, Oct 3, 2011
    Me !!! You get what you pay for.

    Im loving this thread -

    This is whAT FCHAT SHOULD BE ALL ABOUT !

    Owner buys a 308GTB - knows what he is getting ( a good shell) does his home work on who should restore his car (Newman :D ) and knows his real cost is not a 30k 308.

    Congrats to the owner for saving a car, and for Newman pointing out all the little details that are incorrect, and correcting and saving a car (the right way) !

    Kudos to you both !!

    Now im a much prouder 308GTB owner myself :D :D :D
     
  24. brettgagnon

    brettgagnon Formula Junior

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    #24 brettgagnon, Oct 3, 2011
    The US bumpers will be for sale.

    I will be looking for the following parts (though I have some ideas on where to get some/most of them), Paul feel free to add to this list:

    - new rear signal and stop light units
    - euro bumpers (front and rear)
    - euro grill
    - ferrari wheel caps for 16" 328 wheels
    - trim for driver's side rear window
    - deep front spoiler


    What I will have for sale (Newman can vouch for quality):
    - US bumpers front and rear
    - 4 x Original Campagnolo Wheels (7.5" x 14" will be refinished)
     
  25. Sledge4.2

    Sledge4.2 F1 Rookie

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    #25 Sledge4.2, Oct 3, 2011
    Brett, good for you man, this will be awesome to watch.

    When you re skin the seats and headrest, can you salvage the leather? What condition is the headrest leather? Mine are shot but seats are ok, can I buy your headrests, or send you mine in a swap?
     
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