Take your best shot- Your best photo of your 308 or 328

I debated putting on the shields as I know the shield was considered for only the racing cars...or a Ferrari that had a niche in Ferrari history. In the late '80s I happened to look through 'The Complete Ferrari' by Godfrey Eaton and on page 341 the V.I.N. coding was discussed and Ferrari Service Bulletin 00-6 issued 03/07/80. The number used was ZFFAA01A7A0021371. It went on to say that this # was not correct as the first 308 V.I.N. was 31309 (a fuel injected Spyder). So, I checked again and my car was stamped March, 1980 and its # ZFFAA01A7A0031371. In other words, my car was the car in the factory bulletin...It was suggested to me that I put the shields on my car as it fit the criteria...It wasn't that hard to convince me as I always thought they looked nice (my son agrees with you)...In short, I didn't put them on just for looks but to indicate the car's uniqueness. Since then, road cars can have the shield added at the factory. Since then, I also found that my car was the only black/black fuel injected coupe of 24 made in 1980...You will note the early injected cars used the 1979 body that differed from the 1981 GTBi/GTSi. I hope this explains my decision. Thank you for responding and the feedback!

 

Sounds good to me. They look good on your car. I'd like to get that kind of info for my 328. My car had the nice metal Cloisonné 4" x 3" shields when I purchased it from a collector but I took them off. A little too much for my car. But your car; black with the yellow accenting and a paper trail to accompany I say leave them. Love the GTB's.
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After several months of work (self), I have her running strong. What a feeling! 1978 25349

-Rebuilt and synched carburetors (replaced leaking accelerator pump housing on the 2-1 carburetor)
-New dizzy and cleaned points
-New wires and plugs
-New fuel filter and hoses
-New engine deck release cable
-New luggage compartment cover
-New individual, Weber DCNF air filters
-New MSD 6A

I’m so grateful for the knowledge this site and those who contribute provide; such is the main reason I subscribe Rossa.

 

Looking great.

 

Thank you, Kent!

Your 328 is gorgeous!

 

Thanks Dane.

 

Long time lurker - first time poster: 308 GTB October 77 production.


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I think this is the best way to photograph the dyerhaus 308 GT4. Note the clean lines, the color combination and the meticulous presentation!
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New to me. Looks great from a few feet away, but need a lot of TLC. 308GTSi
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Congrats. Is it a Euro mdl that was imported to the US? You will get a TON of help for the guys here. I'm still learning and I've been a member for 14 years.

 

Thanks Kent. I know nothing about these cars. I'm assuming it's a US model, but I'm a newbie with these cars. The mileage isn't terrible (@40K), but with original paint, original interior, and no service history, it's going to take some work to get it to where it's presentable. A 1980 GTSi will never be the crown jewel of collectables, so I think I'm just going to have fun with it and drive it as much as I can.

 

Enjoy it as you should. The Euro Vitaloni mirrors and front round side marker tell me it might be a Euro. Bumpers extended for US import. Others will give a more insightful answer.

 

If only I could be so lucky, that it would turn out to be a Euro model. I'll have to do some research and look it over when it comes home from getting the mechanicals sorted out.

I think the first lesson I may learn with owning a 40+ year-old Ferrari is don't take it to the shop and just say "fix it". It's been there three weeks already.

 

Actually, the car is somewhat rare in that there were only 29 fuel-injected GTSi units produced in the 1980 model run. All others after mid-year were slightly different and were designated as 1981 models...With the exception of the fuel injection they are like the 1980 carbed cars. You should see GTS on the right dash instead of GTSi and the 2 gauges on the console will be stacked (not side-by-side). Also the injector box should be aluminum color (unless it was painted). The VI.N. numbering started with #31309 which is a 308 GTSi...What is your number?
I have a 1980 GTBi and found out there were only 24 of which mine was the only black/black made. I bought mine 37 years ago with 8600 miles on it so all I had to do is religiously maintain it from that point onward...Good luck.
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Holy smokes. I'm learning things already. I did notice the GTS on the dash with GTSi on the body, and the aluminum box (I figured it was just old and needed paint!). My VIN is #32033. If there were only 29 of these cars made wouldn't my VIN# be too high?

 

The V.I.N. numbering started in 1980 and continues on to today...All cars since then carry a VIN#

 

Yes, understood. I meant that if there were 29 GTSi cars produced in 1980, wouldn't my VIN# be too high the be part of that more desirable group (31309+29 vs. 32033)? My door plate says April 1980.

Your GTBi is beautiful by the way.

 

Here are the production numbers for the 308 cars. Also, to clarify...the VIN# are not doled out by model, but are doled out as the cars (coupes and spyders) are produced...Also, the 1980 carbed cars for Europe also carried the new VIN#. I hope that clears up any confusion. Finally, only a few of the 1980 fuel injected cars went to Europe and it appears from the round side marker on you front fender that yours is one of them.

 

Gotcha. This is all great information. Thanks John.

 

I'm happy to have been of some help. I just spent the last 2.5 yr refurbishing the car and it does get expensive if you buy factory parts vs other sources. If a part could be rebuilt I would keep it or choose factory parts (new or used). Factory parts are at times obscene ($709 for a 15" braided oil line etc). You can get the part almost anywhere or have one made for far less. I tried to keep the car as original as possible because of my car's history. People on this site often do much of their own rebuild and have good success (can be time consuming and frustrating if you are in a hurry). Feel free to contact me as you get feedback from the shop...I guarantee they will have a long list and you will have to prioritize what needs to be done as opposed of what would be nice to have done. Welcome to the Ferrari world!

 

Some things are better left to a mechanic who knows these cars inside & out. Get a good relationship started with your mechanic. Ask for help/advice here on this forum. Most importantly, have fun.

 

Actually the VIN started in 1954. The 17-digit standardized VIN that we have today started in 1981.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_identification_number

 

The serial number system started earlier than the VIN...The VIN started in 1980 for Ferrari (see attached Ferrari service bulletin SB-006 dated 3/7/80). The first 308 with an assigned VIN was #31309, a 1980 GTSi...My car was the VIN# 31371 used in that bulletin. Wikipedia can often be incorrect.

 

I have long heard the factory claim that there were only 29 GTSi models for the 1980 model year (that is, the letter "A" is used in the VIN number for the year of the car), and it is nowhere near to being true.

First 1980 GTSi was 31309 and the last known (to me) was 34495. In between there's at least a good couple of hundred of them, all personally verified by me by their VIN plates.

Best guess about the factory claim of only 29 might be meant to be those for some particular country market - like Italy, perhaps.

DM / whose number is 33589