If I had to choose a 308 to live with for the rest of my life | FerrariChat
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If I had to choose a 308 to live with for the rest of my life

Discussion in '308/328' started by rsvmille676, May 6, 2007.

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  1. rsvmille676

    rsvmille676 Formula Junior

    Nov 24, 2004
    765
    G-town
    Full Name:
    Scott Major
    #1 rsvmille676, May 6, 2007
    Hands down it would be Jonathan Birds 77 Carb 308 GTB. I've driven all types of 308's less the GT4. I've written my take on the differences of the engine variations of the 308 series previously. (2 valve carb, 2 valve injected and QV) and still stand by my choice of a QV as the best everyday use variant.

    BUT!

    After driving Jonathans 308 again this weekend and putting some really good miles on the car. I want his 308. The clutch was as close as it gets to a racing clutch. I was nailing the up and down shifts, matching revs and swapping gear like I drive the car every day. (at the risk of sounding arrogant, I'll chalk it up to my racing experience.)

    The new shocks have settled the car to what I would want out of a street 308. The most important aspect of my choice is both the intake and exhaust note. I felt like I was controlling a living breathing animal with my right foot.
    While we were letting the car warm up, Jonathan called a few of us over to listen to the right naca duct and could hear it drawing in air. It was AWESOME!

    All of these things and the fact its a GTB vs a GTS are why I would choose Jonathans car over any other 308. Knowing it may not be as liveable on a daily basis as the QV cars. I think that part of the allure of these classic Ferraris is the temperment they tend to have. This car is a fantstic driver making all the right noises. It was a great day and a great drive!

    For me, his car would be the perfect 308. Now if I can only convince him to part with it.

    Jonathan my friend. Thank you for letting me drive your car for a bit this weekend. (to all my other friends that have let me drive your ferrari, thank you too!)

    Cheers!

    Scotty
     
  2. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,608
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #2 Bullfighter, May 6, 2007
    Would this be The Birdman's car? Did you see His fuseblock? Must be like seeing the Pope's personal bible...

    I admit I'd like the carb soundtrack -- not sure I'm into 'temperamental' as much as 'turn the key and drive' -- but they're amazing cars.

    I was driving an '07 Mini Cooper S on Saturday, and for all the refinement and excellent pedal placement I was so happy to get back to my 328. The modern cars just don't have the same heft, or sense of really interacting with something mechanical.
     
  3. greg328

    greg328 F1 Rookie

    Nov 17, 2003
    4,209
    Austin, TX USA
    Full Name:
    Greg
    #3 greg328, May 6, 2007
    I'm blessed to have one very similar to Birdman's...

    77 GTB--engine is stock--no air pumps. Still need to install the XDI...!
    Heavily modded tires/wheels/suspension/brakes/steering/A/C....

    The thing is an animal! I finally got my idle set right today.

    I've driven QVs--love them too. No doubt they would be less demanding in terms of fuel delivery/fuel system upkeep.

    But, the car is an absolute joy. My quick steering, big brakes and tires correct a few of the yestertech stuff, bringing the car up-to-date.

    Not to mention the fact that the previous owner did an $8000 paint job in Rossa Corsa! My leather is pretty flawless too. I am so lucky to have found this car. I'll never sell her!!

    Forza Ferrari!!

    Greg
     
  4. thecarreaper

    thecarreaper F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 30, 2003
    18,120
    Savannah
    #4 thecarreaper, May 6, 2007
    .... been telling you guys " LONG LIVE CARBS " all these years......


    AND NOW SOME OF YA believe me. :cool:


    you got to love the 76-77 GTB's.


    ( even if they are slow ) ...... :)
     
  5. greg328

    greg328 F1 Rookie

    Nov 17, 2003
    4,209
    Austin, TX USA
    Full Name:
    Greg
    #5 greg328, May 6, 2007
    Whaddya mean, slow?! :)

    I gotta say, my 308 is darn peppy. Maybe it's the missing air pumps. Also, don't the 76-77 cars have hotter cams? Of course, no cats... I have a real exhaust too, no thermal reactor..

    Greg
     
  6. thecarreaper

    thecarreaper F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 30, 2003
    18,120
    Savannah
    #6 thecarreaper, May 7, 2007
    they are fun cars... but they are slow by sports car standards. dollar for dollar, a euro 911 or lotus esprit se turbo will eat a 308, carb or injected alive. there are 5 308s here in my area i run with, so i have been on both sides of the argument.

    dont worry, i still like the gtbs. mine should be gone by summer time , me thinks.

    :)


    i bet Birdmans car will be " famous " on the net now!
     
  7. greg328

    greg328 F1 Rookie

    Nov 17, 2003
    4,209
    Austin, TX USA
    Full Name:
    Greg
    #7 greg328, May 7, 2007
    I have a E46 2001 M3 6-speed, 333 HP.

    It's faster than my 308, but my seat-of-the-pants meter says, not by much.

    Maybe it's just wishful thinking--but when I wrap up the revs in my 308, it really scoots along...

    I know part of that feeling is due to the totally unmasked nature of the Ferrari, whereas the BMW is almost clinical in its perfection.

    Best of both worlds, I guess..

    Greg
     
  8. Birdman

    Birdman F1 Veteran

    Jun 20, 2003
    6,689
    North shore, MA
    Full Name:
    THE Birdman
    #8 Birdman, May 7, 2007
    Thanks Scott! :D Coming from you, it means a lot!! (This guy is a racing instructor, he knows what he is talking about!)

    The carb 308s are not so much "tempermental" as "have personality" which is to say you need to get to know them a little and then they are easy. Things like, how they like to be started, when they are warmed up enough, etc.

    Bullfighter, my fuseblocks are the prototypes....basically they are the ugliest pair I ever made. I should probably put a new set of production ones in there sometime!

    Slow is relative. My 308 lays waste to our QV Mondial, so it feels quite fast to me.

    Carb 308s RULE!

    Birdman
     
  9. pippo

    pippo Formula 3

    Sep 25, 2005
    1,913
    FL
    Full Name:
    pippopotemus
    #9 pippo, May 7, 2007
    All this talk about how neat 308's are is drivin me nuts, but Im still keeping my cool.........

    So stop rubbin it in!!!!! Wheres your fellow F Chat compassion!!!
     
  10. thecarreaper

    thecarreaper F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 30, 2003
    18,120
    Savannah
    #10 thecarreaper, May 7, 2007
    i told ya to come here and drive mine, for fun.

    ya dont have to buy the damn thing !:) i know its (gasp !) " not red ... " :)

    my black one is really, really nice. my euro 911 is MUCH faster though. even my 911 Gurus here are unsure why my green 911 is so fast.


    my friend Joe's 89 Lotus esprit se with a few mods is a joy to drive! too many choices!

    but fast to me is a the 080 times my old 1970 455 4 speed trans am would do...
    :cool: now the darn car is worth a gazzillion dollars, and i sold it for pennies!!!
     

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