Just got home with my first Ferrari... | FerrariChat
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Just got home with my first Ferrari...

Discussion in '308/328' started by Crazy4Carz, May 13, 2011.

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  1. Crazy4Carz

    Crazy4Carz Karting

    Jan 10, 2011
    109
    Pike Creek, DE
    Full Name:
    Steve Gray
    #1 Crazy4Carz, May 13, 2011
    After several Corvettes, and my fourth Viper (still have) and many many other cars, I finally decided to get a Ferrari. I looked at several and debated on body styles and years. After several that I looked at I found this one.

    It is a 1978 308 GTS. It is a Euro car and some of the differences I have found so far: Bumpers set in (much cleaner look) White lights up front with the turn signals, louvers configured differently on both the front and rear, screens over the side air intakes, exhaust is different, gauges all read in Italian?, silver plate in door jamb, vin/ID plate in wheel well area, I'm sure there is more. I believe the HP rating is different on this car as well.

    Are the Euro cars any more/less desirable? Valuable?

    This car also has 16 inch wheels.

    Here are a couple pic's home in the garage. Sorry for the crappy cell phone pic's:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Fave

    Fave F1 Rookie

    Aug 12, 2010
    4,157
    Tarana
    Full Name:
    L. Ike Hunt
    #2 Fave, May 13, 2011
    Sweet man cave. I'm jelous.

    Yes Euros are more desirable, lighter by 300lbs or something like that, no smog crap, no crash protection, and cooler cause they're from well Europe. The shields are extra.

    I take it you weren't seeking a euro version when you bought it? Neither was I, glad I did though :)
     
  3. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Feb 24, 2006
    15,813
    Cerritos, CA.
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #3 miketuason, May 13, 2011
    Congrats Steve, she looks awesome, please post more pics later on. So what's you plan now, what are you going to do first, drive, fix, clean? :)
     
  4. stev4266

    stev4266 Karting

    Mar 24, 2010
    186
    R.I.
    Full Name:
    steven gregson
    #4 stev4266, May 13, 2011
    Nice Dodge Dart on the lift. It is hard to tell from the side but I will guess 67-68? Great choice on the Euro car you won't be sorry. If you end up taking things apart to clean or check. Could you take a picture of your brake fluid reservoir and pm me with it. I am trying to make mine right. I have no idea what it should look like. When I got mine it had already been changed.

    Thanks,
    Steve
     
  5. wazie7262

    wazie7262 Formula 3

    Feb 13, 2008
    2,357
    Temecula, CA
    Full Name:
    Scott
    #5 wazie7262, May 14, 2011
    EXCELLENT job on getting a Euro. In the 308 world, they are WAY better; better looking, much lighter and, accordingly, faster (better cams and no smog crap) and better handling. You'll probably get some naysayers on here spouting that there isn't that much of a difference. I own a Euro 308 GTB...trust me...there is; you did well ;-)
     
  6. wazie7262

    wazie7262 Formula 3

    Feb 13, 2008
    2,357
    Temecula, CA
    Full Name:
    Scott
    #6 wazie7262, May 14, 2011
    p.s. Where did you find it? :)
     
  7. swexlin

    swexlin Formula 3

    Dec 3, 2010
    1,269
    West Chester, PA
    Full Name:
    Scott
    #7 swexlin, May 14, 2011
    Congrats on the new ride Steve. Can't wait to see it in person.
     
  8. Crazy4Carz

    Crazy4Carz Karting

    Jan 10, 2011
    109
    Pike Creek, DE
    Full Name:
    Steve Gray
    #8 Crazy4Carz, May 14, 2011
    When you drove by Ruby Tuesdays today you should have:

    1. Looked in the window (we were waving for you to come in)

    2. stopped in, we could have stopped by the garage after we ate!
     
  9. doug328

    doug328 Formula 3

    Mar 11, 2004
    1,599
    The Space Coast, FL
    Full Name:
    Doug B
    #9 doug328, May 15, 2011
    Same here. Do all 3 and enjoy the ride.
     
  10. Joe_CT

    Joe_CT Formula 3
    Owner

    May 16, 2007
    1,780
    CT
    Full Name:
    Joe
    #10 Joe_CT, May 15, 2011
    Awesome... congrats... BTW... I want your garage!
     
  11. Crazy4Carz

    Crazy4Carz Karting

    Jan 10, 2011
    109
    Pike Creek, DE
    Full Name:
    Steve Gray
    #11 Crazy4Carz, May 15, 2011
    Today was a long one but it went quick!

    Wife and I started this morning in Reading at the Ferrari show. Lots of nice cars there and some good reference cars and ideas. Came home and changed the oil and filter/ Next was the "battery issue" The previous owner had it on a charger when I saw it the first time and when I picked it up. He told me "You'll probably need to change this battery." I checked here at my shop and the battery was fine. Then I checked the charging system, Bingo! Less than 12 volts and the "G" light was on when running. A previous owner ( I hate to think it was the guy I bought it from) screwed up the wiring to the alternator. The yellow/green wire was spliced with crimp connectors in three places and the heat shield was cutting into the wire. When I moved it, the wire fell out of the cheap crimp end at the alternator. All this was repaired correctly and now it is charging properly.

    Did some general cleaning and called it a day.

    Time for dinner, so more to follow....
     
  12. Squirrelmonkey

    Squirrelmonkey Karting

    Dec 27, 2010
    126
    Manitoba ,Canada
    Full Name:
    Tom Thieme
    #12 Squirrelmonkey, May 16, 2011
    Last edited: May 16, 2011
    Just curious..Did Euro cars not have small round side marker lights?


    Tom
     
  13. ace_pilot

    ace_pilot Formula Junior

    Sep 6, 2007
    921
    Long Island, NY
    Full Name:
    George
    #13 ace_pilot, May 17, 2011
    Last edited: May 17, 2011
    Yes, but some were removed during the federalization process. Since he has the square lights, I'd say it's kindof redundant to have another set. Mine, luckily, still has the original lights without the square ones. Also the screen over the intakes is only in some euro markets. Like Germany and ? Swiss or Italy.

    Ace
     
  14. GrayTA

    GrayTA F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 25, 2006
    15,130
    Deep South
    Full Name:
    PDG
    #14 GrayTA, May 17, 2011
    Welcome to the owners club!!!




    PDG
     
  15. branko

    branko F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Mar 17, 2003
    3,710
    Birmingham, Alabama
    Full Name:
    Branko Medenica
    #15 branko, May 17, 2011
    Congrats on the Euro! A friend of mine has a US version 308, but after driving mine, he wanted to buy it.
     
  16. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,195
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    #16 tazandjan, May 17, 2011
    Steve- What is the serial number? Looks a lot like 25125 I sold to Steve Forristal in Summer 1983. Car came out of Germany and I drove it in England for nearly 3 years.

    Taz
    Terry Phillips
     
  17. MOSS

    MOSS Formula 3

    Apr 28, 2004
    1,629
    #17 MOSS, May 17, 2011
    Love the car and congrats!
     
  18. Crazy4Carz

    Crazy4Carz Karting

    Jan 10, 2011
    109
    Pike Creek, DE
    Full Name:
    Steve Gray
    #18 Crazy4Carz, May 17, 2011
    Wow, that would have been great to have some history on the car. This car is number: 23541. Anyone know any history on this car?

    Thanks for all the kind words.
     
  19. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,220
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    #19 PAP 348, May 17, 2011
    Congrats Steve and welcome to the family. :eek::eek:

    Please post some nicer pics of your 308 when you can. It looks very nice. :):)

    Enjoy in good health. :):)
     
  20. climb

    climb F1 Rookie

    Sep 19, 2006
    4,866
    Atlantic Beach Fl
    Full Name:
    Stuart K. Hicks
    #20 climb, May 17, 2011
    Congrats on the newest acquisition.

    Welcome to the 308 club.

    Enjoy.
     

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