208 : the only-Italian models | FerrariChat
Buy

208 : the only-Italian models

Discussion in 'Detailing & Showroom' started by Ligu, Nov 25, 2009.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Page 1 of 4
  1. Ligu

    Ligu Formula Junior

    Oct 7, 2009
    521
    Italy
    Full Name:
    Michele
    #1 Ligu, Nov 25, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    As many of you surely know, in the 70s and 80s Ferrari built some models whose only destination was the Italian market. At the time, Italian car taxes were very heavy for cars with a displacement of over 2 liters, so the Prancing Horse marque took their 308 and 328 models and replaced the engines with a 2 liters V8, creating the 208 series.

    The first of the line was the Bertone-designed Dino 208 GT4 (180 hp), of which 840 examples were built between 1974 and 1980.

    Then came the 208 GTB and GTS (155 hp), built in very low figures of 160 and 140 between 1980 and 1982. This was due to the fact that many owners felt that the car was way underpowered to carry the Ferrari badge.

    Ferrari decided to install a turbocharger to gain more power (at the time, even Formula One cars had turbo engines), so the 208 Turbo was born. 437 GTBs and 250 GTSs were constructed between 1982 and 1985. Power was 220 hp, making this model more powerful than the 308i sisters.

    Last of the line were the GTB turbo and GTS turbo, built in 308 and 828 examples between 1986 and 1989. Power output was 254 hp, due to a different turbocharger aided by an intercooler.

    Please note that the only differences between the 208 models and their 308-328 brethrens were the engine displacement, some minor body modifications and the turbo pressure gauge in the Turbo examples. All the rest was the same.

    I would like to see as many pictures as possible of this series.
    I will start with some of my 1988 GTS turbo, s/n 77751.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  2. bigodino

    bigodino F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 29, 2004
    13,089
    The Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Peter den Biggelaar
    #2 bigodino, Nov 25, 2009
    Nice idea for a thread and very nice example you have.

    I thought there were also some differences in interior trim. De black dashboard (the part that holds the gauges) and some parts in cloth instead of leather.
     
    NYC Fred likes this.
  3. Kevin2772

    Kevin2772 Formula Junior

    Jul 30, 2006
    732
    Ohio
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    #3 Kevin2772, Nov 25, 2009
    Very important. I always wondered what the deal was with the 208's! Thank you!
     
  4. RGigante

    RGigante F1 Rookie
    Owner Project Master

    Nov 1, 2006
    2,874
    Portugal
    #4 RGigante, Nov 25, 2009
    The 208 were sold in other countries, too, all of them having the same tax problem, like Portugal. We have LOTS of them!!

    I believe the 2 liter V8 engine is still the smallest V8 engine "mass" produced to date.
     
    NYC Fred likes this.
  5. Napolis

    Napolis Three Time F1 World Champ
    Honorary Owner

    Oct 23, 2002
    32,118
    Full Name:
    Jim Glickenhaus
    #5 Napolis, Nov 25, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    ryalex likes this.
  6. portogts

    portogts Formula 3
    Owner Project Master

    Aug 31, 2008
    2,344
    Maia-Portugal
    Full Name:
    Vitor Sousa
    #6 portogts, Nov 25, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Hi !
    Great thread!
    We also has the GTB/GTS Turbo in Portugal because the tax was very high (and still is!!).
    During 1988 and 1989 Ferrari sold quite a lot of Turbo´s here in Portugal.
    Here is a photo of a Portuguese Turbo !!!

    All the best
    Vitor
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  7. portogts

    portogts Formula 3
    Owner Project Master

    Aug 31, 2008
    2,344
    Maia-Portugal
    Full Name:
    Vitor Sousa
    #7 portogts, Nov 25, 2009

    Hi Rui , how are you ?

    I got here too late , same information, sorry!

    I think the car as also sold in Greece due to tax laws also .

    All the best
     
  8. zebra308

    zebra308 Formula 3

    Jan 14, 2004
    1,339
    All Flimmits
    Full Name:
    Ruffis Leekin
    #8 zebra308, Nov 25, 2009
    The rear engine cover is different , too.
     
  9. RGigante

    RGigante F1 Rookie
    Owner Project Master

    Nov 1, 2006
    2,874
    Portugal
    #9 RGigante, Nov 25, 2009
    No problem, Vitor!
    Yes, it was sold in Greece and New Zealand, too.
     
  10. F430Modena

    F430Modena F1 Rookie

    May 26, 2005
    3,184
    Portugal
    #10 F430Modena, Nov 25, 2009
    Its true we have many GTB/GTS turbos and some 208 the first gen :)

    Latter i will post pics without plates eheh
     
  11. Ligu

    Ligu Formula Junior

    Oct 7, 2009
    521
    Italy
    Full Name:
    Michele
    #11 Ligu, Nov 25, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Thanks for the informations!
    I read somewhere that some cars were imported to Portugal, but never heard about Greece.
    I go on posting pictures of 208s: please join me!

    208 GTB
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  12. Ligu

    Ligu Formula Junior

    Oct 7, 2009
    521
    Italy
    Full Name:
    Michele
    #12 Ligu, Nov 25, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  13. Ligu

    Ligu Formula Junior

    Oct 7, 2009
    521
    Italy
    Full Name:
    Michele
    #13 Ligu, Nov 25, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  14. Ligu

    Ligu Formula Junior

    Oct 7, 2009
    521
    Italy
    Full Name:
    Michele
    #14 Ligu, Nov 25, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  15. Ligu

    Ligu Formula Junior

    Oct 7, 2009
    521
    Italy
    Full Name:
    Michele
    #15 Ligu, Nov 25, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  16. Ligu

    Ligu Formula Junior

    Oct 7, 2009
    521
    Italy
    Full Name:
    Michele
    #16 Ligu, Nov 25, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  17. Nurburgringer

    Nurburgringer F1 World Champ

    Jan 3, 2009
    11,170
    Texass
    #17 Nurburgringer, Nov 25, 2009
    Last edited: Nov 25, 2009
    cool thread!

    How about some driving impressions?

    How does it compare to a garden variety 2V/4V in terms of:
    -torque
    -power (sure it's quoted at ~250hp, but how does it feel?)
    -sound
    -mpg
    -reliability
    -longevity
    -heat generated (the center mirror of my 308 always gives a psychadelic heat-wavy view :)
    -weight (probably similar?)

    How much boost do you see at WOT?

    Where is the addtional NACA duct routed?

    We need more engine pics also :)
    Any pics of the engine outside of the car?

    salud!
     
  18. Ligu

    Ligu Formula Junior

    Oct 7, 2009
    521
    Italy
    Full Name:
    Michele
    #18 Ligu, Nov 25, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I think that 95% of the 208s I've seen are Rosso Corsa, like the one of the attached picture.
    Does anybody have pictures of different colors?
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  19. F430Modena

    F430Modena F1 Rookie

    May 26, 2005
    3,184
    Portugal
    #19 F430Modena, Nov 25, 2009
    Some Portuguese 208´s

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    The "brother"
    Vin: ZFFZA28B000077773
    Very old pic from portogts :)
    [​IMG]
     
  20. Ligu

    Ligu Formula Junior

    Oct 7, 2009
    521
    Italy
    Full Name:
    Michele
    #20 Ligu, Nov 26, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I have owned my car for 7 years and this is the first time I see another black GTS turbo!
    Thank you for the pic!!!
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  21. Ligu

    Ligu Formula Junior

    Oct 7, 2009
    521
    Italy
    Full Name:
    Michele
    #21 Ligu, Nov 26, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Wow, lots of questions! I hope I have the good answer for all of them...

    Torque is almost non-existent under 3000 rpm, but after that you have more of it than on any 308, 328 or 348. I hate to drive my car on mountain roads, because if you use the wrong gear the car feels like seated, so you go slow or you go fast, there's no middle way. But it's very enjoyable on tracks.

    The GTS turbo has 254 hp, which are just a bit less than the 270 you find on the 328 sisters. Not a big difference.

    Sound is lower than the normally aspirated Ferraris, due to the engine gas passing through the turbo. Good sound, anyway. Hey, it's a Ferrari!

    What is MPG?

    I think reliability is not the strongest point of the car. 127 hp/liter were a lot in the late 80s, and it equals the specific power of the new 458 Italia (this is normally aspirated, though). The engine is obviously more stressed than the 328 one, but all the rest is the same.

    Longevity? My car has 44k kms (had 15k when I bought it, 7 years ago) and at this rate I'm pretty sure I'm going to die before she does...

    The engine produces a lot of heat; I think more than the 328, due to the 5 slots that Ferrari decided to cut in the rear bumper for heat dissipation.

    208 are slightly heavier than 328s, due to the presence of turbo and intercooler.

    Top boost is 1,05 bar, but it's easy to get more...

    I'll check in the next days where the NACA ducts are headed and hope to take more pictures of the engine bay. Sorry, I don't have any picture of the engine outside of the car, but I have this drawing from the original brochure.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  22. Ligu

    Ligu Formula Junior

    Oct 7, 2009
    521
    Italy
    Full Name:
    Michele
    #22 Ligu, Nov 26, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  23. Bradley

    Bradley F1 Rookie

    Nov 23, 2006
    2,831
    Lakewood, Colorado
    Full Name:
    Bradley
    #23 Bradley, Nov 26, 2009
    Fascinating cars! Thanks to everyone who posted information and pics.

    I've never seen one of these, even on my trips to Italy.

    I do have a few other questions for those in the know:

    1. I believe I read somewhere that the 208 series were also imported to New Zealand. Is this correct?

    2. Did any 208s make it to the United States (not through dealerships, I know, but private or "grey market" sales?)

    3. Is there anyone out there who has taken the turbo off a wrecked or damaged 208 and put it in a 308/328?
     
  24. johns930

    johns930 Formula 3

    May 9, 2005
    1,465
    #24 johns930, Nov 26, 2009
    never knew there were these models, see i learn something everyday.
     
  25. mercedesbenze55amg

    mercedesbenze55amg Formula Junior

    Aug 15, 2004
    735
    Plymouth Ma.
    Full Name:
    J. Nutter
    #25 mercedesbenze55amg, Nov 26, 2009
    For Question 2 Jim Glickenhaus' son owns one and i believe it resides here in the states
     
Page 1 of 4

Share This Page