308 with carbs vs. 328

Do the early carb cars with the smaller diameter wheels ride better than the later cars? Beyond higher absolute performance limits of the larger wheels and more modern tires, which car is actually nicest to use for cruising?

 

They ride softer, more compliant over bumps than the 16's. I like them both, depends on what look you prefer.

 

Here is a side by side comparison to show the differences between the two. I installed 328 wheels on my former 79 308 years ago. A rather dramatic change. Bigger contact patch and grip, turned in much more aggressively. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Gino, I think you came out ahead and may not even realize it. Sure, the GTB is more attractive than the GTS with its roof on when you're standing there looking at them, but I'm more interested in the view from the driver's seat myself.
And once you get that top off, the S is not only hella sexier, but there's nothing like open air motoring....besides, who is pushing their 40 y/o car hard enough on public roads - and has the skill - to exploit a few degrees less chassis flex?
Dave

 

It’s still meaningful if you enjoy the classic driving experience without the expensive and often inexcusable lapses in Ferrari quality. I’m currently back in a 911/964 which starts and runs without drama. My 328 was equally dependable. In the real world, the wife isn’t going to enjoy being stuck at the side of the road, engine fires, sticky plastic interiors, etc., so a 328 is a solid choice. Lexus debugs its cars before launch; Ferrari takes 10 years, but my 328 was far better than my 308 QV. Even the windows worked better…

I lived with carbs in my MGB and Porsche 356. Honestly… there’s a reason no one uses them anymore outside of vintage racing.



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Where is your spoiler?

 

Remmeber that the roof spoiler always was an option (that you had to pay for) on european 328s.

Rgds

 

I like the 328 GTB in every way and it‘s one of my 80s favorites but i‘m a sixties/seventies fan
and for me Carbs, 14 inch XWX, inner and outer design of an drysump 308 GTB are just spot on!
So 308 or 328 is in a heartbeat choose for the old one!

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I have several carbureted cars, including my 308, in a basement garage space with no gasoline odor issues. Or maybe I'm just nose blind to fuel?

 

If it smells too much, something is wrong with it.

 

US version cars went to great lengths to eliminate it. Most of those parts have been stripped out of many because there were evil smog control.

Its a common issue on desmogged cars.

 

I'm one who has actually owned both. And they both have their advantages and disadvantages.

To me the most overlooked advantages of the 328 are the Galvanized steel body and the improvements to cooling. The 3.2 Engine also has more torque.

Not sure which is better looking. Probably the 328 exterior and the 308 interior. The Carbed 308 might sound a little better.

But you really can't go wrong with either. 308 Carbed might do a little better on the long term collector market but its getting to the point of fewer and fewer mechanics knowing how to rebuild and set up carbs properly. Bosch Fi parts will be around forever. Literally millions and millions of cars used it.

 

4 carbs on a hot engine evaporating all their fuel iinto the garage air makes a lot of smell if you were one of the idiots who took out everything to prevent it.
Its why in the old days the garage was separated from the house.

 

I (or my GF) drive my Euro 76 308 VR just about every day…10-25 miles typically…and it gets hot and will smell like fuel if I button her up in the garage after a drive before she cools off. 10-15 minutes with the boot open (we check the oil after every drive anyway) and garage door open and no fuel smells at all. The carbs do pop and gurgle on occasion, particularly right after start but never under acceleration, and being RHD the induction sounds are prominent. I love everything about the euro 308 GTBs. The exterior lines, the interior with the leather armrests that flow from the dash. The Mickey Mouse ear Lucas switches. So much fun to drive in the desert…
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Christian, What color is your car? If that’s a factory color, it looks like it would be called “Budino al CaramelloIs”.
Is it a unique color, or a regular color that appears this way due to a trick of the camera/lighting?
- Dave

 

Thanks for asking. I was wondering the same.

 

Hi Guys and a happy new year!

It‘s a first paint survivor, so it‘s the original colour, oro chiaro metallizato over testa di moro.

Colour change with lights, 50 shades of gold…

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Happy New Year Christian!
Thanks for responding…I haven’t cared for earth tones on sports cars - even though I’ve owned a couple; including a gold Montecarlo with Boxer trim - but I’ve also never seen this color presented in such variable light conditions…very interesting and handsome.
I too have a dry sump built in an unusual color combo: Argento over Blue (a ‘79 model). Unfortunately, it now wears a newish and much more common suit of Chiaro over Tan, but if/when the opportunity presents itself I’d like to return it to its as-born color scheme.
Best wishes to you in the new year.
- Dave

 

Of the two choices I'd take the 328 but in reality I'll keep my 85 308 GT QV.

 

I had a 87 328 in this color, it really is stunning in person.

I also had the brown interior (including the dash), but it was a complete mess; cracked, faded and torn.

Your car is beautiful.

 

Is the 996 better than the 993? Waaaaaaay better. So why you pay a premium for the 993? Cause is the last of an era, the last air cooled 911.

Same applies to the 308 GTB, it is the very last carb Ferrari. The last with the raw sound and power, smelly and sweaty experience.