today is an important day for Ferrari history

Well I guess we fully agree : I myself have also written a lot of times that the 308 family was the most important car in the history of Ferrari from a marketing point of view. Basically, it saved the company. But what I find difficult to accept is, as alluded in the previous posts by some, it is no cornerstone whatsoever from a car design point of view, from a technical point of view, or from a “car format” point of view.

At the time, Ferrari was one of the most conservative manufacturers, never progressing in leaps and bounds, but taking pieces here and there and assembling some differently to create a new model, that’s all.
Basically, the 308 GTB is:
- A redesigned Dino 246 body with straighter angles to look more “seventies”; same general configuration or “architecture”, including the transverse engine.
- Built on a shortened GT4 chassis (one of the first 308 GTB Michelotto was actually built on a chassis numbered as a GT4) itself a ladder/tubes assembly, about as innovative as the oxcart.
- Using the V8 engine of the GT4 (well, yes: dry sump for euro cars) ; said GT4 being, as pointed out by others, the real first rear mid-engined V8 road Ferrari. And that V8, by the way, uses the cylinders of the 365 engine: same bore, same stroke, same pistons, same rods, same valves.
- With FIAT accessories and electrics

Don’t get me wrong, I love the 308 series almost as much as I love the “246 Dino”; and the 308 is still a beautiful thing to me; always was, always will be.
But frankly, I can’t see any reason why the 308 GTB would be a “cornerstone design” in the history of Ferrari (other than from its commercial success) and the beginning of the whole lineage that reaches as far as the new 488 GTB. The 308 GTB is a transverse mid-engined Berlinetta, assembling some bits and pieces of a number of already existing designs.

The 308 GTB innovated on ONE point only, which is forgotten in the press communiqué about the 488 GTB: its body was not in steel, this for the 808 first cars. Should they really wanted to pay tribute to the 308 GTB of 1975, then they could have made the 488 GTB in “Vetroresina”, couldn’t they?

The ‘Viz (David, aka Vizla) is right, like often (or “sometimes”?): the lineage between the 488 GTB and the 308 GTB makes not much sense, except as for establishing a connection with the past, this from a marketing point of view. But I’m glad to see the letters “GTB” back.

Rgds

P.S: my feeling – I was 15 in 1975 when the 308 GTB was launched – is, honestly, that “Ferrari” was already a household name in Europe, even if, outside the capital cities, you almost never saw one; this due to the “246 Dino” in “The Persuaders”, a show that was very, very popular at the time in Europe and made the “Dino” an icon still regarded today by any kid that grew up in the seventies as “Danny Wilde’s car”; and already identified as a “Ferrari” at the time (yes I know: A Dino is not a Ferrari). My recollection is that at the time, almost any kid in Europe already knew what a Ferrari was; even my sisters knew.

 

Fully agree with Alberto: it is the same situation in France.

Should you have a very good 328 GTB, you could advertise it for 85 k€; an exceptional car, for 95 k€ (will it sell is another matter, but these are the prices we see these days)
You would need between 70 and 80 k€ for a 430. Or 45 to 55 k€ for a 360.

Sell your 328 GTB at advertised price, you’ll get a 430 plus some change left; or almost two 360s.
Or after selling the said GTB, ask for an appointment with your banker, get a reasonable financing deal, and “voilà”: a second-hand 458.
Mind-boggling when considering what the market situation was only 18 months ago…

Rgds

 

Actually, that is not the definition of mid-engine if you want to get technical. The engine can be in the front or the rear and still be mid-engined as long as it is behind the axle. The new F12 is front-mid-engined.

You are missing what I'm saying. It is Ferrari's formula since 1976 to have an intro model that is rear-mid-engined, 2 seats, with a V8. That is the history they are promoting. The GT4 does not fit that formula, so explaining it is confusing to people.

4 seat rear mid-engined Ferraris: 308GT4
2 seat rear mid-engined Ferraris: 308, 208, 328, 348, 355, 360, 430, 458, 488

 

According to your above list about 2- and 4-seaters; The Mondials seem to be completely forgotten childs



Best Regards
Martin

 

Haha!

I said - unless I'm missing something... ; )

Also not a car they make anymore...at least not in the V8 mid-engine line; California would be the closest today no?

I just don't think people should take it so personally. They can't tell the whole story in a page...just like I can't even remember all the correct models ; )

 

That is correct- your English is great by the way! Thanks for the videos too.

 

You caught me- it was late when posting- I meant rear mid engine ;-). At this point we will not see eye to eye on this, and we can beat this down to no end. I agree with Nerofer statements in Post #76.

Some are in one camp the others in the other. I'll hold to first v8 rear mid engine of any ferrari is the 308 gt4.

I am curious if these will these sell as well as the 458? As many said here there is a lot of good competition in the marketplace at lower entry points, and if the performance is not substantially better than a 458 or 458 speciale why would you not choose the 458 instead? Ferrari still seems to keep turning out cars that sell without much problem even in crowded marketplaces.

 

a neat video.............
Ferrari 288 GTO Gymkhana - video - Motorsport Retro

also a 1961 Ferrari 250GT California SWB amongst a barn find of 60 cars. it was supposed to have been auctioned off yesterday but I have not checked to see what it fetched.
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EUR 14.2 m.

Best Regards

Martin