308 GTB Vetroresina

If you look at the carbed 308 register that is available on the Internet, you will find that out of the 100 US Vetroresina cars, 62 have the color documented. Out of those 62, 75% are red, and 2 are Yellow. The car for sale didn't have it's color documented in the list, so now we can assume that at least 3 yellow US spec Vetroresina have been built, and probably one or two other ones if you believe in statistics. That said, this chassis has a cream interior, and we don't know about the other yellow cars, so it is possible that this combo is, indeed, unique.

That said, and although there is no question this is an extremely rare car in this configuration, it's still a US spec, and will probably be valued less than its European counterparts. The result of this auction will be interesting.

 

Talking of the European counterparts, what other differences are there between a Euro car and a US Vetro?

Looking at the pictures of the yellow car I can see there is a twin outlet exhaust as opposed to the single on
the euro, and the US car has the later tail lights with the integrated reversing lights as opposed to the
reverse lights in the bumper.

Where there any dry sump US versions?

 

No.

 

The bumpers are also quite bigger, and side winkers are not the same shape. I don't think there is such a thing as a dry sump US vetroresina.

 

No there is not a dry sump US vetroresina. Will enjoy seeing this yellow car next month at the auction.

 

The auction house talk of it being one of the 712 fibreglass cars but surely the more impressive figure would be that it's one of only ...... US cars?
For instance mine is one of only 154 RHD cars, so assuming the majority of the remainder are LHD Euro cars how many actually were built for the US?

 

100 cars were officially build in the US-market version, but there could actually be a couple more. The "712" total is probably wrong, the actual total being "between 712 and 808", but probably near 808.

Rgds

 

Mike, 154 RHD cars is the number of glass 308s sold officially through Maranello UK. That figure does not include Australia for example. I have 44 Australian cars to add to this number. Not to mention some Japanese, Singapore, Hong Kong, South African and New Zealand deliveries that are also not included. I think the rarest glass 308 would probably be a New Zealand specification vehicle. I don't think that market made it into double figures.

As for the total number of glass 308s, 712 quoted just about everywhere is wrong. That's because the 712 number doesn't include the RHD markets listed above apart from the 154 Maranello UK cars. The factory quote a bit over 800. My research suggests that this number is probably accurate.

As for the number of US glass cars, I think the number is 101, I'm doing this from memory as I'm away from my files, can anyone confirm?

 

Have a great Christmas and New Year Mr. Nerofer and too everyone else on this GREAT thread.

 

No, the dry sump tank managed to get in the way of the second distributor needed to run the R2 points for emissions. That's why all dry sump cars are single distributor.

Quite a bit Mike,

US:
Wet sump engine
Different gear ratios (Shorter 1st and 5th. same as 308 GT/4 ratios)
Twin air pumps with thermal reactors
Charcoal canister for emissions
4 outlet exhaust
Impact absorbing bumpers with associated shock absorbers and strengthened front and rear chassis sections.
Shallower boot to accommodate thermal lining above the rear muffler
Less aggressive ignition advance curve with slightly different cam timing
Side indicator markers
7 1/2" X 14" wheels
Slightly higher ride height
Full size spare
Reverse lights in indicator assembly
Sealed beam headlights
"Fasten seat belt" lamp on dash

Probably a few other things I've missed.

 

Hi Carl,

Interesting! I have a steel 1978 GTB that was delivered new to Switzerland (actually I think the first owner collected it in Maranello, judging from the books). I think it also has closer ratios. Do you know? Thanks!

Best, Peter

 

Last sale of a North American 'glass was north of $90K USD.

 

If it were a European car, I think it would probably go for over $100K. I wonder if an American Vetro can reach that price, I'll be looking forward for the results of this sale, it may indeed set a new trend for those cars.

 

Hi Gang,
F106A021 is the ref. of dry sump engine mounted on vetro and steel Euro specs 308 GTB
F106A020 is the ref. of wet sump engine of Euro specs 308 GT4 and then 308 GTS.

What is the official ref. of wet sump American specs engine mounted on US vetro cars?
F106A020 too? or there is a specific codification for these adaptations?

Thank you in advance.
Paul

 

Peter,

That would be a very unusual scenario. Someone would have had to change the transmission internals whilst keeping your original case. And the ratios are still very close, it's actually difficult to tell from the seat of the pants, you can check the parts books to see. You can't just bolt on a whole transmission case with the USA internals, the wet sump and dry sump transmission cases are not interchangeable in terms of bolting up to dry sump and wet sump engines. They must be like for like.

Regards,

Carl.

 

Update on chassis No. 19385

There's been lots of chatter following the recent Bonhams sale of a 308 Vetroresina as to what a Euro 308 dry-sump might be worth. Well, I had a surprise offer for my 308 just before Christmas that I felt I couldn't refuse. I'm not at liberty to say exactly what I sold my car for but I can say it was over £100,000 (or over $170,000 US).

Mine was a fabulously original, near perfect car that was always going to appeal to a collector. Even so, I think it's safe to say values of early 308 are definitely on the move..
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Wow Harry, that's incredible, even in this market! I'm sure you enjoyed it while you had it though. Any more 308/328's on the horizon for you?

 

Harry- There were only 131 UK Vetroresinas built and some have undoubtedly gone away or to the other RHD countries. Pretty rare little bird and well sold.

Time to pick up a 4.4 liter BB, which should be the next one to appreciate rapidly. Only 58 of those for the UK in RHD.

Did not realize the pound sterling had gone that high, but it has. $1.6570 today.

 

Congrats on the flip, Harry. What's next?

 

Harry, thank you for this, you made my wife's day. Not mine, now I'm still a little bit more worried she'll want me to let go of the car at the first occasion... ;-)

 

Wow...great sale!

People knocking on my door always feel "16K to $20K USD" is a fair price.
(1977 steel #22641)

It's still in the alley..

 

Wait....

You have a door ?

 

Will you take more??

(Eff... Canadian dollar is tanking again..)