Is there a 1975+ better looking Ferrrai than a 3X8?

Good morning everybody. I was answering another thread question about 288 versus 388 and I was thinking this: I don't remember another so good looking shape on a Ferrari after 1975 until today.

Then you can prefer the GTB, GTS, 308, 208 turbo, 328 and so on, but the perfect Italian shape of 308 is always the same on alla models.

The only Ferrari (after 1975) I like as much as the 2/3X8 is the F40, but just because of its performances too, not just for the shape it has.

What do you think about it?

Is the 3x8 a real design masterpiece or there are some others Ferrari with a so pure design after 1975?

Every opinion is welcome, of course.

ciao

 

Alberto, You do really know about my deep love for the 208 turbos (looking like 308 QV), but IMO the 512BB is a really good looking car.

 

Yes, but the 365BB dates from 1971, and its shape is actually strongly interrelated to the one of the 308.
In his last year's book, Leonardo Fioravanti explains that he actually began to work on the 308 just after the 246 was put in production, so before the 365/512...then stopped working on it when the factory decided to put all priorities on the "Superberlinetta" project, which became the 365/512.
The shape of the 365/512 was clearly influenced by the work he has already done on the small "Berlinetta" that he thought would succeed the 246.

But after the "superberlinetta" project was launched, the factory decided that there would not be a "Berlinetta" successor to the 246, but a four seater, which became the 308GT4 (and was drawn by Bertone, as we know). So he then forgot about his work on a two-seat "berlinetta", until Enzo Ferrari decided that the 308GT4 could not be a true successor to the 246, and that a new "small berlinetta" was needed.
He then dusted back his old 1970 drawings at the end of 1974, and presto! gave us the 308GTB. But the 308 and 512 shapes are undoubtly inter-related.

I would say that the only other modern Ferrari shape I do really like is the 550 Maranello, but it definitively comes second by quite a margin.

Rgds

 

The 365 BB/512 BB design is essentially the exact same design as the 308 GTB - It's simply on a slightly larger scale (look at the two cars in profile and you'll see what I mean).

Saying that though, where the BB falls down for Me is the engine cover and the two boxes that just seem to sit on top of the cover - They look too much like an after thought.

The 308 GTB engine cover looks far more elegant and just works better form an aesthetic point of view.

 

355 and 550 are the high water mark for me since the early 70's. The 456 is also very good looking, that era was a very good one for ferrari styling. I also prefer the bb and gto to the 308's. It's all highly subjective though. The gt4 and 365/400/412 2+2 are the only misses of that era, and calling them that is a stretch even. The tr is one of my favorite Ferrari's of all time, but I don't know that I'd call it "pretty"...

 

Always loved the style of the GTB/GTS and the 512. I think the GT4 was the ugly duckling aimed at a different group. Even the wedge shape of other exotics like Lambo and Mass. carried that Italian form. Now if I had to choose between the GTB vs GTS I have to vote for the GTB.

 

I would have to agree with Pete, that the 355 design is also an absolutely timeless design classic and with the two side by side, you can really see the bloodline, perhaps somewhat lost in subsequent models.
BR,
Jez

 

LOL I've owned both models and restored both models and they share nothing except fasteners, connecting rods and wheel bearings.

 

I love my 3x8's design, but I the TR is king. Honorable mentions to the just lovely 355 and extremely well-proportioned and stately 550/575.

The 456, while not perfect, is the best 4 seat design I have seen come out of Maranello in 4 decades.

The 458 is pure Italian charm as well.

Other cars have nice elements but either the overall composition didn't work for me or some of the finer details were just bewildering.

(I will add this my thoughts only on main series production cars post-75; no including special runs e.g. 288/F40/etc, or special small series runs).

 

in no particular order 365BB, 288gto, 308gtb-vert, and the heavily cladded 208gtb mid years...

 

True Paul, but the shape is definitively "interrelated", as Leonardo Fioravanti himself admits.
(and the "single cylinder" capacity for the 4,4 Twelve and the 2926 cm3 V8 is also the same...).
As far of yourself knowing these inside out, I wouldn't dare doubt it...

Rgds

 

The 288 is the ultimate masterpiece

 

288

 

288 GTO

 

Well, I also find the 208/308 model breathtaking beautiful and timeless. The only "after 1975" Ferrari car that I instantly find more appealing is the 599. For me the 599 is the ultimate styling, I love the front, the rear, and everything in between. As the 308, I think the 599 also looks spot-on from any angle.

After posting the above I noticed it's my 348'th posting ! I also really like a 348..

 

4 x 288GTO

 

Time is the arbiter of all styles, and I think the 308 GTB/ GTS - 328 GTB/ GTS series are now being recognized for the art that they are.

Much like the Dino that came before.

the 355 is a very pretty car, and arguably the best looking post 1990 car Ferrari made... the 458 & its guises has finally come back to beauty over brawn and practicality, but time will tell if it is a stand out.

the 355 Spyder is not as good looking as the GTB's... and sadly I think will languish for it.

regardless of the care cost for a 355 - it is a beautiful car. but I don't think there is a car around that screams Ferrari like a 308 GTB ... even in silhouette you know it's a Ferrari.

 

There aren't bad looking Ferrari, but if you just consider the car design and the pure beauty of the shape, I think that if you want to find a better shape you have to look among the Ferrari masterpiece of the sixties like the 250 Gt Lusso, The 250 California, 250 LM, 250 GTO, 275 GTB and some specials of the fifties and some (few) others holy monsters like those. But I still don't see a better design after 1975 than the 308: the 288 GTO is a 308, at least as body shape, so it's the same model.

ciao

 

There actually are a handful.
Something like this, for example.

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or for me personally the F50.

But back to topic. I vote, like many others for the 288GTO and 512BB.
Nevertheless; If I had the money for a 288GTO I would go for a Daytona, which still is and ever remained my dream Ferrari.

Best Regards
Martin

 

not to downplay the 308 but the airboxes on the boxer are wonderful. the design plays tribute to of the sports prototype racers of the day. when the later injection boxer'replaced the ITB's, this design lost much of its impact.

 

For me it is not just the styling but the lost era of exotics being low slung, light, and full of unrefined power.
Now the trend is everything is getting bigger, taller, heavier and loaded up with not only electronics which take over driving the car but just more and more electronics in general.
Cars are just too bloated these days and the manufacturers answer is to push up the horsepower to ridiculous levels for street consumption.
I miss the Miura, Countach, 308, 512BB, and of course 288 days where the car was engaging to the driver and compromises were made to get that car nice and low......a true exotic.

 

I agree they are both wedges and being ferraris from the same era they cant help but resemble each other but a boxer isnt an enlarged 308 like some might think.

 

288 does it for me, basically because I love the look of the 308GTB, only improvements I could make, they did when they made the 288!
The new cars are gorgeous, but will they still look great 35 years from now?

 

Id say photogenic wise the 308's are the nicest. I don't think the Daytona, 512BB, TR's, or even the 288GTO photograph well. Same with modern Ferrari's. But in person all are pretty dang nice. I was impressed with the magazine performance data but wasn't a fan of the 288GTO or F40 looks wise, until I saw them in person.

 

Did I mentioned 288 GTO?
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