1980 308 that is not fuel injected

Very early injected 308.

Without knowing the chassis number, you know it's an early 80 model because of the silver spoked Nardi.

That steering wheel is correct for that time in manufacture. Ferrari went to black a little later that model year, probably because they thought it matched better to the new black anodized instrument dash plate thing, whatever it's called.

 

I like it.

Best of both worlds in my book ( I like the cosmetics of the injected cars) plus the sound etc of the carbed model.

Cool car. I would own it in a heartbeat.

 

Needs a new emergency brake plastic handle

 

Not necessarily an injected car. I have seen a few late carb cars with this exact interior setup.

 

But we know this particular car came with an injection motor

 

It appears to have a fuel enrichment operator based on the photo.

 

The last remaining detail to determine then was this only a top end change to carburettors, or a complete engine switch. I am betting that there was an engine failure along the way, outside of warranty, and the then owner found and installed a carbureted engine.

If the warranty card is still with the car and the engine number was filled in, we would have the answer.

 

They also made the effort to install a Choke control label in place of the right hand vent control label, if not originally carbed 308.

 

What is the engine family marking on the top of the block at cylinder #1? The engine serial number shown there would also be helpful.

The airbox is from a '78-'79 US 308.

The 1-4 camcover is from a '78-'79 US 308 or a '80-'82 US 308 (so not a 1980 euro 308 carb engine).

 

Aha.... 'Classiche words'. I'm pretty sure, you still remember the real truth.
But thanks. I again learned how to handle such info in the future.

For others, who can't follow: This information and a bit more I got from Ferrari via old fashioned letter correspondence back in the year 2000. For free prior to Classiche BS, etc.


And I forwarded it to all who were interested.

Best
Martin

 

Classiche still have a record with the building data of every single 308 produced: the problem is they ask money for those info and they give them just to the car owner.

 

But you still know, that you got the initial info from me?

Best
Martin

 

Yes: they were confirmed (by words) by the Classiche service, as I spoke with them directly. They were very kind and confirmed what there is written in your letter, plus they told me many other things: just about my car, of course.

Please don't forget where your letter came from: it didn't came from a grocery shop, it came from Ferrari and from the same database that Classiche has.

ciao

 

Yes Alberto,

it was some effort during the almost-pre-internet-era to solve the mystery regarding my #34379, while all sources still claimed #34349 as the very last carb GTB. I actually worried about having purchased a converted 2V-i-car because of the BS in all the books.
Even more effort being abroad and being no italian speaker. Therefore I was somehow positively surprised to get the info from Ferrari a few weeks after my inquiry. And it was for free.
Therefore I was not amused to read a post, which give the impression, that someone else has dug out the informations regarding the five very last built carb GTBs.
While some historians still talk BS about our so-called 'post-series-cars'.

So for absolution tell me the mentioned details about your car I have still no explanation, why your second to last car has an earlier engine no. #16xx than my fourth last with #17xx.

Best Regards
Martin

 

If you like the car, buy it.

"numbers matching" sounds too Corvette

 

Is there such a thing as a numbers matching 308? I thought that there was no method to the madness when it came to the engine number.

 

Yes and no.

It is only important if you want it to be important. Some of the most significant cars in Ferraris history dont have the original motor. They were swapped by a customer or the factory decades ago while they were raced. Some were reunited some weren't.

They are still million dollar automobiles.

For a 1980 308 it isn't a significant value problem because the car is just not worth that much to begin with relatively speaking to other models.

I like that car. I would buy it and have no issue with the motor. Hell, I would rather have the carbs now after living with a QV for 20 yrs

 

you were lucky to have all those info for free: Good times! Now they wouldn't answer anymore. I already wrote it several times and it's an off topic, but as you asked directly here you are what they told me about 34465. Chassis painted in red, then stripped when they got the blue color sale order and painted in blu sera metallizzato and sent to the assembly line where the car got a 17XX drysump engine. Then road tested : The 17XX engine failed the road test and was removed, replaced with 1690 drysump spare engine that is the engine the car was delivered with.

 

I have two 1980 service manual, one Carb and one FI.

 

31959 US car 1980 with verticle gauges, horse on ashtray, 14” wheels, silver steering wheel, black dash, Gts on fuse panel cover, Gtsi on rear, injected, April 1980 build, 6 digit odometer. I love it!