Hello, some days ago I take a look at a 308 GTB, build 1980, miles 35000, location Europe. What do you think about: Picture 1: Rust at door and fender (see red arrows); Picture 2: dent in front fender and scratches all over the paint (hard to notice in pic); Picture 3: dents in edge of hood (from closing); Picture 4: heavy used seats with one small tear; Everything is original at this Europian car. Could it be a good deal? AFire Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Are you sure that's a 1980 model year? What is the asking price? The rust seems minimal. Are there any records on the car? That seat wear is pretty common. You can recover the seat. Does it leak oil? How does it run? Jim
I think it depends on price and mechanical condition as well. I know from experience that rust is insidious, and never sleeps. It is REALLY hard to totally eliminate.
There is no "model" year for non-US 308GTB/S -- they made non-US 308GTB/GTS in 1980 (so it's a similar situation to 1982 non-US 308QV also). "Could it be a good deal?" -- at $5K US, I'd buy it; at $30K US, we'd have you committed to a hospital -- what is the price you are considering and/or the Seller is asking? (and give your country so that can be factored in)
That's not much to fix, appearance wise! A little paint $$$, a little trim $$$. As stated look at the mechanicals and service history to determine the price. Nothing about those minor appearance issues would scare me off! But I shave a crazy man every morning!! A non catalyst car? I like the color combo myself.
Hello, first of all, THANKS for your help. Yes, it's a real 1980 car (Europian), a non catalyst car (original GTB with four Weber carburators). I'm angry about the rust at the door (under side of door too) and at the front fender, what's inside??? The car drives fine, every gear shifts fine, idle not perfect (when engine cold), steering and brakes works good. Can´t find oil leaks at first look but I can't look under the car. All original documents are there but NO regular service was done. The asking price is USD 37000. What about the special older paint used by Ferrari? Can I buy somewhere or could I use the modern paint? Best regards, AFire Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
If it is dry sump engine, that is good. Paint can be matched with modern paint. If that paint is original I'm amazed, as silver is bad about sun fading. Looking at engine, it appears very complete. The round air cleaner knobs are bad about falling off, and you still have 3!!!! Exhaust is also original it appears, as sign of an unmolested car. How many owners, since new???? Price is somewhat high, but negotiate!! A non catalyst, dry sump Euro engine car is the best of all the 308s. Rust is in all the cars because of the untreated steel. A good body shop can fix it. Repair panels are available. It's no big deal!! Really!! I live on the Texas coast, and rust is part of life. What I see on this car is VERY MINIMAL. Dents in the engine hatch are also quite common because owners close it improperly!
I own two '77s US cars. Paid $30K for one with 30K miles, $25K for another one with 29K miles. But they were not dry sump. Non cat though!
Hello, yes, the car has the original dry sump engine. The painting is also original Ferrari, it's called "GRIGIA metallizato". There are many very little scratches over and over the car (also at the back side), like driving through a sandstorm, you can notice in one picture. There are two owners. Best regards, AFire
Dry sump Euro is probably worth $37K, offer $32!! You can tell the car has only had a few owners, looks good! Repaint it LIGHTLY (not bare metal), and drive it! Tell us how you do.
Yes 37000 sounds too high. Get a ppi done, and use that to leverage the price, and then some. I did that with my 79 308. The car you're looking at has the dry sump single distributor set up which is supposed to be the fastest of the 308 series. I like it. Just try to get him to come down in price. I paid 21,500 for mine. I had the belts replaced, alternator, fluids flushed, and fuel,coolant lines replaced, and the car runs great. It's been very reliable. Jim
I would only offer 25K tops, original paint incompatible with current primers and paints, bare strip necessary to determine extent of rust. Door bottoms don't look to good IMO.
You guys must like sanding! There's still a modern paint product called "sealer" you know! And don't misunderstand, I'm just referring to avoiding damaging the original factory skim coats/lead work. You don't consider this part of the "original" car? I don't think I'd want mine replaced with modern "skim coats by Manuel Labor"! I don't feel that's an improvement. But then, I relish the hammer marks I can see, even in my street cars. I haven't seen many dry sump Euro 308s in the market recently, other than Bonham's Gstaad. I think this would be well bought in the mid 30's, rust and all.
Ya'll are quoting on US version cars, I am almost certain. Correct? Any Euro owners want to respond here???
Hello, I will check the car once again with a specialist. If I read the thread about the restauration of a 308 - did I make it right? But I LOVE the car ! Regards, Image Unavailable, Please Login
I didnt think the later carbed cars had dry sumps (wasnt it only the 76,77,78 cars?) the price seems on the high side but about right (it works out at £19k or E28.5k) but i'd want at least the panel damage at the front fixing and the whole car to be machine polished and a major servicefor that price
I had a 308 GTSi Euro. Cost me $950 / side to get the bottom sills done. Proper job .. cut the rust out, weld new metal .... 100 yr guarantee! Seats I had professionally redyed for $550 ... but you can do it yourself for much much less .. and lots of threads on this site to step you through it. Pete
That car looks like a 76 GTB to me, due to the single rear tailpipe. But if it has rust than it cannot be a fiberglass car. Anyone back me up on that?
Hello, it's definitely a model from 1980 (last year with carburators), has steel body. All European models came with single rear tailpipe but most dealers or first owners changed them to a 4 pipe ANSA exhaust (for better sound). Best regards, AFire
Just a word of advice. Do not let the fact that you love the car blinds you. It is very easy to fall in love with a Ferrari and then bend reality to match your wishes... Look at these links: http://www.fugazi.co.uk/308/buyersguide.htm http://home.att.net/~ferrari/buyer3.htm and then decide wisely. Ciao Eugenio P.S. It took me more than 1 year to find the proper one: very well invested time!
All Euro 308 models where build (1976 to 1980, Resina and steel) with dry sump, only the US spec engines where build in standard oiling (wet sump - correct description?). Reason for that are the law for US emissions. Wishes, AFire
