308 little details

In another thread, I posted some pic's of my current 308. Tommy noticed that my tail lights were reversed. I had never noticed that and I checked Keith Bluemel's book, "Original Ferrari V8" and sure enough, the book confirmed that Tommy was spot on. The car has never been hit or restored. Does anyone else have backwards tail lights?

My other question is that in the engine compartment, on the passenger side, on my 83, the only plate I have is the transmission oil plate. But in the book, it shows another plate with the vin. See the pic below and let me know if I am missing anything.
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My '77 has the red brake lights on the inside, and the reverse/directional on the outside.....

Which is correct?

Greg

 

Welcome to the joys of 'handbuilt' cars. Where your lights are depends on how Luigi was feeling the day he installed them.

 

Tailight's configuration is clearly shown, in a diagram in the 1976 - 77 Owner's manual......

Most have been swapped at respray, IMO....

 

LOL!

 

Yeah, I always laugh at those who are certain the badging was always consistant from the factory. I've seen plenty of variants on 328/308 GTS/GTB over the years, including some very original cars

 

Pantera too: the VIN letters indicate late '73 but the numbers, '74 and its got a mix of '73 and '74 parts.

 

I'm with you Greg. Red on the inside, Orange on the outside.
I think owners should only worry when they have 2 Red on one side & 2 Orange on the other side!

 

'77 f'glass 20695 red inside

 

brake inside on my '85 euro.

not sure what you mean about the plates, here's a shot of mine-
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It should be orange (turn indicator) on the outside. Mine got swapped once when I had some minor body work done. The indicators are on the outside so that you can still see them flashing from the side view. Also, they should be as far from the center of the car so that it is easier to see which way you are turning from a distance (like on a motorcycle).

 

matt, just reread you post and looked at my pic, I guess you mean that silver plate next to the black one?

 

It obviously works either way but to be "correct" (or I guess "more correct") the amber is on the outside.
I have noticed a couple like this over the past 22 years, one of which was here on FChat about a year ago. I have always assumed it was correct from the factory but accidentally reversed after a respray. The other was back in 1983 ( I still have the pictures )

 

Yes...that's the plate. It seems only the Euro cars have them, at least that is what I can tell so far.

 

Mine is a 83. It's not been reprayed (in the rear, only the nose) and it's never been hit. Maybe a PO thing?

 

The car I took pictures of was an 80 model

 

Here it is. This is a Blk/Blk 80 model. I took this (and MANY others) at Daytona Beach, FL in July of 1983 when I was 15. I actually noticed the reversed taillights then too.
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Funny!


Greg

 

I don't think either is 'correct' and am amused at those of you that seem to think one way is the right way. FWIW, my car has the red lights on the outside, orange on the inside. Most of the 3x8's I see are that way, and I do pay attention as this gets discussed here relatively frequently.

 

Sorry, there *is* a "right" way and if you have them reversed it will definitely cost you points in Concours judging. The "right" way is the way it shows in the owners manual and all pictorial Ferrari literature. That being said, of course if you don't do Concours and don't care one way or another, that's up to you... the car still works and is street legal with them reversed!
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Exactly!!

 

Check your owners manual. It may be in there too (I don't have one in front of me at this moment)

 

I guess all the colorblind employees weren't working in the wiring division.

 

I worked for a Ferrari dealer for years in the 70's and 80's, 308's / 328's ALWAYS had the amber / turnsignal on the outside, makes sense when you think about it. Bodyshops (and detailers) are well known for reversing them.....

 

The quatrovalve under the 308 badge is a little low. Maybe rear end damage or someone was hung over on the production line?