I'm looking for owners of 1980 GTBi willing to post their VIN

Having a GTBi caused my focus to be there, but I did add that GTSi info is also welcomed. Thanks for the info you sent. Have a good and safe 4th of July!
John

 

Good eye...The photos were taken at Radcliff Motors before the work began...The appraiser took pix as he was checking the car...Since the photos taken in 2016 there has been a total suspension rebuild during an extensive 2.5 year efurbishing exercise (see my site). - John

 

I agree wholeheartedly, and the list really helps!

 

I caught the ? It was part of the differences on the early run of cars of the year and those later on that reflected the updates (called 1981 cars).

 

Thank you for working with me and trying to help me interact better with you friend. He is a wealth of knowledge.
I have to agree with the findings. I still don't know a reason why the list I submitted had 24 coupes and 29 spyders isolated from all the others. The VIN codes say the lists submitted are indeed coded as being GTBi for US market and coded for the year 1980. Perhaps there was/is something else different about those 53 cars...Perhaps, of the cars listed some might have been equipped with TRX/Speedline combo instead of XWX/Campagnolo, or gone to another country before delivery to the US (i.e someone taking delivery at the factory)...Again, I appreciate the list(s) provided. I will continue to try to get an answer to this enigma. Thanks to everyone for their input. Since you have good relations with the provider of the list, please thank him again for me.
John

 

I agree that 1980 is a stinker year for many reasons, so unless something comes up other than the list I saw and shared with you, I'll go quietly into the night...
John

 

Thanks for the info! The more finds we get, the better the cumulative data. Any chance of getting a photo (especially the interior)?
John

 

My car is #31371 (March, 1980) and I have paper saying the early 1980 GTBi model total run was 24 coupes (through mid-year), from that point on they were designated 1981 model year. Both of our cars have the 1977-1980 body - Note: GTB on dash, 80mph speedometer, window lifts located on the console, clock and oil temp in a vertical mount ahead of the console, new seat pattern found in the 1981 model, Nardi steering wheel normally aluminum, XWX 205/70 x14 tires mounted on Campagnolo rims, aluminum air plenum. These cars were hand assembled and performance varied depending on the person assembling the engine (some early 308GTBi units tended to leak oil while others did not,etc.). I have attached the manufacturing numbers for all 308s and I found this one to be the most complete of all lists...the end totals add up, but some don't agree with the yearly total (especially the 1980 run of cars). The VIN numbers of your car and mine fit the narrative that only a handful of older bodied cars were fitted with the fuel injected engines to meet US pollution standards until the 1981 cars were ready for delivery (last half of 1980 year run). These later cars had several changes and weighed a bit more than earlier models (reinforced frame for the GTSi models, larger Speedline rims, horizontal clock and oil temp housing mounted ahead of the console, and painted air plenum)...I hope this helps. I know that you will enjoy the efforts of your work...Visit my gallery to view the result of my extensively refurbished car...
John

 

Thanks. It appears to be of the same time-frame, but not US (we had an 80mph speedo). Everything else seems to fit. I'll check to see if I can get the VIN#.
John

To my GTSi friend...Thank you for adding your car...Indications are it is one of 29 GTSi units made in 1980, so it is rather rare as well.
John

 

Don't apologize!!! We welcome the car, no matter its point of entry. The 1980 model's distribution is important...I was being selfish about finding my car's position in the overall picture. Keep up what you are doing, and NEVER apologize for owning a car that helped Ferrari make it through rough times and is becoming more appreciated across the community.
John

 

Thanks for getting back with your car info. What I am trying to clarify is of the list shown...all were considered 1980 and have the interior you have...I have a source document that shows only 29 GTSi units were made 24 GTBi unit, showing the remaining cars to be the carb version and for market other than the US market. Things get cloudy...One of these days we might get a bit more accurate distribution list. Attached is the breakdown list that started everything...If it is correct, the short run of cars stamped in the first half of 1980 and labeled 1980 GTSi and GTBi are rare compared to the rest of the long list of you sent.
John

 

This is not made up by me. I came across it many years ago and found with the material that was provided through Ferrari Chat. I am continuing to find an answer. Claiming it is fiction made up by me does no one any good. What do I have to gain by creating fiction? I am 87 and have spent much of my working years dealing with facts and verifying. My hope that my apparent 'foe' would have embraced the opportunity of further study (since he doesn't have a finite answer, either)...I guess he feels that I am challenging his authority on any and all opinions that are not his...That feeling is misplaced. Meanwhile I will continue to search...Again, thank you for your response. Meanwhile my worthy adversary's opinions are also welcome as long as it is productive. By the way, I am not the 'rookie' he paints me to be. I have been the owner of my car since 1985 and am not a writer of fiction and if you go to my original post you will see that I was and still am searching for an answer. I have never refuted anything by any previous post. Once again, I am not looking for a war, but I will not be disparaged either.

 

Again, I have tried to find answers, and not you constant degrading of any post I send...I look forward to working on this site and with anyone who has new information...I am much like you in that I don't want opinions (unless stated as such). I see no need to fight or demean those who disagree. I'm willing to hit the reset button...It's up to you.