Definitive 308/328 Spec resource?

Keith Bluemal's "Original Ferrari V8" is about as close as you are going to get:

http://www.amazon.com/Original-Ferrari-Restoration-1974-1994-Mondial/dp/1870979788/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244647353&sr=8-1

 

Blumel's book is the only well researched one out there. He put a lot of work into it, but, it's not perfect, there have been cars reported here that don't exactly match the book. I happen to have one of them! Search both Fchat & the old fchat archives for 'Blumel' to find some of the discrepancies we've discovered.

Brian Crall (Rifledriver) is working on a book that should be more comprehensive, but it's not out yet.

 

Porsche tended to be far more consistant in their production specs. Ferrari has always been famous for building cars with whatever they had on hand on a given day and changing on a whim. Also Ferrari production specs change far more than most depending on the market the car was headed for. Most vintage Ferrari models have very good and specific information available down to a specific cars variences with other specific cars of the same group or model but the V8 cars were long regarded by the hard core as a not completely legitimate Ferrari or a stepchild so have never had that attention. The other problem is the early V8s were made in such huge numbers compared to any other Ferrari model it is a rather large task.

My dissatisfaction with Blumels book prompted me to work on my own but to do so in my spare time while running a business make it a rather long term project. It is in progress but do not expect to see results for a while. Also unlike Blumel I have decided to focus on 308 GTB/S AND 328 GTB/S. That alone is a large project to do in detail.

 

There are some errors but I would get it. Just don't take it as gospel.

 

+1......until a better recap is available.

IMO the early 308s also represent the end of the "whatever you want" period of Ferrari, and as a new model quite a few were raced, and massaged "under the table" for good magazine press.

 

Hi Rifledriver.
I've bought also the Original V8 Ferrari book from Keith Bluemel, and yes, is a good book with some errors and with a little bit of lack in information. I'm collecting lot of shots and information and I will be glad to write a book about the 308, the stuff that I know. We could do a book with more specific details about interior, engine, restoration tips, etc. Maybe it could be sponsorized by the Fchat sponsors and we could redirect the readers that wanted 308 spares to our sponsors. After some years with my brain absorbing everything about the 308 -logos, stickers, parts, part sources, colours, restoration, models, US models, Euro models...- for sure we're capable to be more specific than the Bluemel's book -with all the F-Chat community-. All the Fchat stuff and knowledge by now is very superior to the Bluemel's book IMHO.
What do you think about it? Can we write a book? We can write it down if we cooperate together -one guy in one area: one on engine, one on chassis, interior, electrics...-. I think that it will be possible, the first book of the F-Chat community!!!

 

Hi guys,

Bluemel's book is a good resource and was certainly helpful when I was searching for a 308.It was written some time ago and I am surprised Bluemel himself has not updated it since.

However as noted it is not to be taken as "gospel" and does contain inaccuracies.Rifledrivers comments about Ferrari's way of doing things are 100%true!

One thing I have noted about the 308 series is the crossover/carryover of parts in particular.For example I have seen 308 GTB/Si's with very late production run chassis numbers that are 100% original and that have the front bonnet louvre/grille that came on 308qv's.

Another example:early 308 qv's used the same cigarette lighter type(pictured in early factory brochures)as the 2V cars,but later model 308QV's had a different type of cigarette lighter.

Also being down under here in Oz our cars delivered here were a "mix n match"due to government legislation. For example our 308 Qv's came with US spec flag type outside mirrors but no catalyic converters,but some US market emission type gear,i.e. air pumps.

Brian I am happy to share my knowledge on Australian market/UK market cars with you or anyone else writing a book on 308/328 series and wish you and others the greatest success with this project.

Cheers

Pete