Prugna: how early for the 308s? | FerrariChat

Prugna: how early for the 308s?

Discussion in '308/328' started by Bullfighter, Jul 18, 2014.

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  1. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 26, 2005
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    I was recently offered a carbureted 308, now restored but reportedly (per the original owner) delivered new in "prugna" metallic. Checking Bluemel, it looks like that color became an option only in the QV era. Granted that anything is possible, I've never seen a pre-QV 308 in this color. (And I've seen exactly 1 of those in person.)

    Nerofer and other gurus: Any records of this color being done earlier in the run? I suppose it could have been special ordered if it existed elsewhere in the Ferrari line.
     
  2. Irishman

    Irishman F1 Rookie

    Oct 13, 2005
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    I don't think any of the colors back then were metallic.

    I recall correspondence, literally by mail, with a gentleman in Oklahoma with a carb 308 for sale when I was looking. The confusion for me was exactly trying to determine the color of his car from the poor pictures. In the end I think it was indeed prugna from my recollection. I was focused on 1978 and 1979 cars at that time.
     
  3. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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    There were definitely metallics -- gold, green, blue and others. Some very '70s-ish. There actually was no "rosso corsa" in the early years, interestingly.
     
  4. italcarguy

    italcarguy Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2003
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    Anthony Rimicci
    My 1975 308 GT4 left the factory and still is prugna so I'd say it goes back to the beginning of the 308 series.
     
  5. finnerty

    finnerty F1 World Champ

    May 18, 2004
    10,406
    That is my understanding. I suppose it is possible that the particular car was special ordered with that paint ---- but, I rather tend to doubt it.

    Verifying that car's original paint color is easy to do with a quick check of the color code stamping on the engine compartment frame member.

    ......I got a $1 says it was originally red, black, yellow, white, or silver ;)
     
  6. haisoodewa

    haisoodewa Karting

    Aug 14, 2011
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    Zach M
    I've seen rubino mistaken for prugna before- not saying that's it, but worth considering.


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  7. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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    That's interesting -- thought the color code appeared only under the rear deck lid on a sticker (?)

    Do you have a photo of the color code stamping?
     
  8. ferraripete

    ferraripete F1 World Champ

    rosso metalizato, rosso rubino and prugna are all often confused.

    my b is rosso metalizato.
     
  9. DDD

    DDD Formula Junior

    Aug 7, 2011
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    Domenic
    They are located in both places. You cal have a Ferrari dealer run the vin and they can tell you.
     
  10. DDD

    DDD Formula Junior

    Aug 7, 2011
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    Domenic
    What is the vin
     
  11. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Given that the car was restored, I'd have more faith in a stamping. But will definitely check the VIN. Color change would kill a potential deal.
     
  12. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Will know this weekend, hopefully...
     
  13. finnerty

    finnerty F1 World Champ

    May 18, 2004
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    I don't have one handy, but (and I almost hate to say this) if you do a search here, you may find it. There have been threads in the past where folks have posted pics of the location. IIRC, it is under a soldered-on tab of thin sheet metal, on the driver's side shelf, near the data badge.

    Try "color code 308", "frame paint stamp", etc....
     
  14. thecarreaper

    thecarreaper F1 World Champ
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    Sep 30, 2003
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    Negative. I had a marrone dino 78 308GTS. Bought and sold on this board. Factory 1960's era Ferrari color.
     
  15. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Tried a search... nada.
     
  16. ferraripete

    ferraripete F1 World Champ

    ask gary...he will be able to help you.
     
  17. Green308GTSi

    Green308GTSi Formula Junior

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    #17 Green308GTSi, Jul 19, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    There were plenty of early prugna 308s as well as green, gold and other metallic colors. I can put up the paint codes tomorrow if you like. This paint sample is from 1980.
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  18. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Thanks Barry, that would be much appreciated.

    I believe the codes for prugna were 20-R-549 and FER 306/C. If you have samples for model years prior to the QVs, that would at least prove Bluemel's list incomplete.

    Based on italcarguy's post above, I don't doubt there were pre-QV prugna 308s.
     
  19. bigodino

    bigodino F1 World Champ
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    #19 bigodino, Jul 19, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Judging from your description of the location of the stamping, I think you're mistaking the body code (production number) for the paint code. As far as I know, the paint code is only to be found on the sticker that's in the middle of underside of the engine cover.
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  20. finnerty

    finnerty F1 World Champ

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    #20 finnerty, Jul 19, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    We are talking about 2 different locations.

    I couldn't find it with a search either.

    But, here you go, Jon :)

    It was bugging me, so I went out to the garage and snapped these pics on my 308 --- the location is on the edge of the frame shelf next to the forward mount for the expansion tank (referring to the injected cars' tank). It is hidden underneath a metal tab --- I long ago removed the tab on my car.
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  21. finnerty

    finnerty F1 World Champ

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    #21 finnerty, Jul 19, 2014
    Last edited: Jul 19, 2014
    Actually, maybe I am confused, and this is the production number as Peter says ????

    I do recall a discussion here a while back about this stamping, and I thought it was concluded that it was the internal Ferrari paint code ??? But, I'm getting old, and my memory is not what it used to be ;)

    Hey Barry ---- Do any of your code cards match this number on my car ?? It should be some shade of a red (although my car has been re-sprayed black since, it was originally red).
     
  22. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

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  23. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Yes, that suggests that it existed so could have been ordered on an early 308. Good find.
     
  24. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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    If the paint code was stamped into the chassis, not sure why they would have bothered with a paint sticker (?)

    Also I think all the paint codes by the '70s were longer than 3 digits.
     
  25. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Stamping a paint code on a bare chassis sounds a bit odd.
    As I remember the chassis were delivered in batches (and left outside to rust :) ) and used as needed.


    Never mind. They be delivered bodied.
    :(
     

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