'83 Car & Driver 308 review

That came out in Aug, the same month as R&T's test. I remember it like it was 5 minutes ago. I bought both issues at the airport in Charleston, WV when I was flying back home from visiting my grandparents that summer. I was 15 and REALLY excited about the new model that I knew was coming. The R&T issue had a green cover with a sketch of the new 300ZX. Didn't like it as much because it was a combo test article.

I still have both magazines (and about 400 others with a 308 in it somewhere)

 

Thanks, definitely interesting. I'm trying to avoid the urge to start collecting magazines and whatnot... I know once I get started I won't be able to stop...

 

Nice.

Does anybody remember a car mag with the 308 on the front? It was the first glimpse of the car I ever had and I'd like to find it. I think the heading was Ferrari's fabulous 308. Must have been around 1976 or 1977 cuz I remember telling the group of kids I was driving with to basketball practice that my favorite car had a 308 engine in it and they said cars didn't have motors that size and I said my car will. One kid asked, what car? I said Ferrari and two of the kids said whoa! At that point I was THE authority. LOL

 

I bet I have it.

 

Thanks and this prompted to me to go to ebay and just got a Car and Driver and Road and Track with a 308 on the cover to read and then frame.

 

did they really start that article by comparing a 308 to a Triumph Spitfire?!?!??!!

anyway, cool article! thanks for posting.

 

Interesting to read the counterpoints section of the article. All complained about the engine power in one way or another. In the body of the article they talked about how the clutch and steering seemed lighter than the earlier 308 series. I noticed the same thing when going from a QV to my injected 2v. I'd bet all that complained about the power and the price would take one over the other cars in the comparison chart if someone else was paying though.

 

Thanks for posting, now in my permanent 308 file.

The article accurately predicted my own '83 GTS experience. (mine's desmogged w/Tubi, otherwise box stock)

Performance data seems spot on and was eminently respectable for the era. The clunky 1-2 upshift was noted and is indeed a minus factor in off the line 0-60 runs...a straight-back setup would have cut .5 to 1.0 seconds.

 

Is this the one you are thinking of? Car and Driver. June 1978. They are almost always on ebay for a few dollars (that's where I found this photo).

Jeff
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R&T got it in 6.8 the same month. I think they left it in 2nd gear like C&D said you could do if you wanted to run a little over the redline

 

And they had better gas back then too.

 

Your love of the 308 model always amazes me. Thanks for the anecdote regarding picking up those magazines. Neat story especially being 15, you only remember things very special at that age.


I met Tito Puente when I was 15, and he was toting along Arturo Sanduval and Poncho Sanchez. I will never forget the Corona he forced me to have with them! Special stuff

 

Would it be possible for all / any of us to post our 308 mag articles in this thread?

 

For some reason I don't remember any geometry from the same year!

 

I also do not remember much from geometry that year either, but I do remember Nancy Harwood who sat a few rows over. What legs she had.

 

Greg,

That's what I call a selective mind...you are forgiven.

Best

 

Most of the articles (over 40) are in a book called “Ferrari 308 & Mondial Ultimate Portfolio” published by Brooklands Books in the UK. (ISBN1855207443)

Sorry Nerofer, I can not get her out of my mind.

 

That must be it. Thanks.

Guess I got the heading wrong though. In my mind the car was facing the other way but I'm dyslexic and that is one thing I do with pictures and movie scenes etc (reverse things).

So beautiful!

 

Still, they were fudging.

I had a '66 Pontiac GTO. For standing starts, nothing, but nothing, beats a Muncie 4-speed w/Hurst shifter gear and limited-slip differential ("Positraction" for the old timers).

Be it fair or not, it's the standard by which I judge all others.

 

Hahaha, best remembrance line ever

For me it was Tanya Simpson, and instead of her legs it was her breast-esess, mm MM! lol

 

Oh, don't be sorry Greg! Took me a bit of research to find who she was, but now I know. A bit tough to learn geometry or physics in difficult conditions; and a nice "souvenir" for you...

Best

 

very apt as i do the same. 455 4sp 72 Trans Am from back in the day.
Talk about torque and tires!

 

I've kept my black 83 308GTSi since new, and she has not gained one ounce, shows no cellulite, and has given me great pleasure everytime I've touched her. She has never given me grief, made me feel sorry for having gotten her, and she still moans and screams when provoked.
I doubt that either Nancy or Tanya could match that.
TN