is the 308 a classic?

This whole thread started from another thread where I said the 308 (and the 360) will never be considered a classic like the hand built V12 cars of the 60's. That its perfectly OK to mod one of these and make it more fun, more reliable, and not "keep it like Enzo wanted".

I'm still correct. It never will be a classic like those cars and people should just drive them instead of worrying about "originality" and "low mileage".

It's a fine car to have fun with. It's their first mass produced car made cheaper and reliable enough for daily drivers to want to buy. It was popular and pretty. It was the first V8 to have the Ferrari badge stuck on without the name Dino. It didn't cost you an arm and a leg to maintain. It was fast "enough". We saw it every week in a highly rated TV show. We saw it in the movie Vacation.

But that won't make it a classic. It makes it an ICON, and that ain't bad. Maybe its even better.

 

I vote Classic.

As others have said, there's a lot of crossover between iconic and classic, and the 308 is both. Iconic is everyone sees one and says "The Magnum PI car!". My mom recognizes that car. Laymen recognize it. That's iconic. Classic is evidenced by timelessness of design. By that I don't mean that the car still looks modern today, I mean that it never lost it's magic. It's still an exciting looking car. Not all Ferrari's can boast that.

Even the seemingly insignificant fact that we can say "308" to one another and know which car we're talking about, see the silhouette in our minds, even though what we're really discussing is the GTB/GTS, and 308 is a broader designation that applies to GT/4's and technically Mondial's. That's classic.

I'd also say production numbers don't matter. Rarity doesn't mean classic. Chuck Taylor's are classic design. So are Levi's 501's, the Rolex Sub, the Porsche 911, and the T shirt! I think the Braun Phase 2 alarm clock is a classic. How many of those got made?!

 

With 86 votes placed by self-proclaimed car enthusiasts, and in particular Ferrari lovers, and 93% state it is a "Classic."
I think therefore there is enough statistical gravitas to unequivocally state that the car is indeed a "Classic Ferrari" as judged by the group who's opinion counts.

Any further discussion is a circular waste of time.

 

I did not vote classic. The 308GTB/GTS does stand out when it's out and about in traffic. When it's at a car show with other cool cars, or especially other Ferraris, not so much. That doesn't mean it's not beautiful. See my earlier post about when I worked at Knauz in the early-mid '70's. It was stunning compared to the first 308GT4s with their awful battering-ram crash bumpers.

Hint: If you want a 308GTB/GTS that stands out a bit more than average . . . get one that's NOT RED!!

 

Well, you can shut your ears and eyes but it won't go away.

You will never see a run of the mill 308 at Pebble beach. That's a fact.

Exhibit A:

Alfa Duetto. According to the logic of the 86 votes this also qualifies as "a classic" when in fact, it's iconic because we all remember it in the Graduate. Now, it's also a pretty, fun car people can enjoy. Gee that sounds familiar...

"Old" does not mean "classic". It means old. An old Yugo is not classic. An old Pinto or Maverick is not classic. A 2009 Ferrari California in the year 2039 will not be "a classic".

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This is what I’ve missed oh so much.

 

Not to get argumentative, but I have seen a YUGO entered at a local car show!

It was amazing how much attention it drew.

Sid

 

Of course it’s a classic.
To say otherwise is just stirring the pot for the sake of argument.

 

Or . . . it is merely answering the original posters question. That's what this thread is about. Opinions regarding the 308GTB/GTS, OK?

 

a few of us, have attempted to define what a classic is in our opinion. and yet, this has not swayed our dear mayor.
so, mr mayor, please do us the courtesy of providing us with your definition of a classic car, with the reasons for that, and some examples.

thanks

 

The exact definition of what is a 'classic car' varies around the world. Here in the US, the "Classic" Car Club of America doesn't even have one Ferrari on their list since it must be produced pre 1948. In the UK it is even more open to subjective interpretation. I don't think the Mayor is wrong nor Ross. It all depends on your definition. It seems to me the Mayor is more strict, while others may be more open -- nothing wrong with this - and I think this is a great thread - but ultimately will not definitively settle anything since it's up to the individual.

 

Alfas Duettos, Porsche 356 are classic and were made in the thousands also...

 

As no one or group of people will even agree on a definition of "Classic Car", let's just settle for the simple question - Do you think the Ferrari 308GTB/GTS is a significant Ferrari? I think we can all answer yes as it's beautiful and extremely popular.

 

I voted yes myself. I do believe it's iconic and a significant model for the marque. That said, not personally offended if others have a higher bar. The CCCA would say I am wrong.

 

YES!

 

Yes, I voted classic too, at least here in California, One of the the qualifications to get the Historical License plate, your car has to be 25 years old or older, my 84 308 has the Historical plate now.

 

thats fine.
except i want the mayor's answer. i want his definition.
it is easy to negate a statement, but it is more difficult to define something with supporting argument and examples.
he has not done that yet......

 

Yes, Without the 308 we would all be on the Porsche forum.
D.

 

Unless Ferrari had been kind enough to have simply kept cranking out that cheap "mut" they called the 246. Me? I surely wish they had!

 

Maybe it was a Ferrari management issue.....Gandini certainly hit home runs during that period with the Countach and later with the Diablo.

 

With all of the p-car comments/content lately I'm beginning to wonder...

 

Of course. The problem was it's (Dino 246GT and GTS) design prevented it to even come close to meeting the crash bumper laws. Of course, we have the insurance companies and their lobbying power to thank for that.

 

No, not a fact, just an opinion.

 

Yes we will see one. Right next to a 79 MGB and Triumph Tr7

"classics"