Greetings all, I've browsed through the boards here..What an informative site! I do have a question for the 308 experts. I am on the hunt for a '76~'78 308GTB/S. I live in CA and was wondering if there are California designated 308's? If so, how many were sent our west, and are they valued higher or ?? Also, these cars are hard to find!, any links or further advice on where to find one would be much appreciated. Cheers & TIA
they are referring to a california car as one that has lived it's entire life in California. California has no salt on the roads, soaking rains and snow which is a better environment for older cars. there were no specific california built 308's.
This addendum for '77 implies that there is 1 "special" state version for that particular year, but my guess would be that many CA '77s went elsewhere, both new and later on, so it's much more important what emission hardware is actually on the car at the moment rather than "did it start life as a CA" (e.g., many CA 308s have been stripped of their emission equipment). I know for sure that the '78 308s were all the same powerplant configuration originally in the US. What you really need to be concerned about (for CA) emission-wise is: 1976 = two small air pumps (plus the associated manifold/plumbing/valves), thermal reactor muffler, R1/R2 points, and a fuel evap control system. 1977 = two small air pumps (plus the associated manifold/plumbing/valves), thermal reactor muffler, R1/R2 points, and a fuel evap control system. 1978 = one large air pump (plus the associated manifold/plumbing/valves), cats, insulated muffler, R1/R2 points, and a more complex fuel evap control system (with powered airbox evacuation after shutoff). Of course, you might be able to get by with less, or something a little different, depending on the severity of your inspection, but, as a Buyer, I'd deduct $ for every non-stock modification -- JMO (and good luck with your search)...
I thought the question was relating to body rather then emissions. Similar to people selling cars as AZ specific. Sorry for the confusion.
Thanks for your replies guys. I'll research the points as noted. (I presume the cat cars run hotter and are down a little on HP over the non cat versions? Is it a serious difference?) I found some links on another post of 'for sales' sites too. Cheers!
They are getting a little harder to find, they only made so many! I will have some pumps and plumbing available soon, as they are not required in Texas any longer. '76 models start with the fibreglass cars '77 models are the earliest steel bodies '78 models are the first with catalytic converters and the cam profiles are a little milder as well, IIRC. Keep an eye on FerrariAds.com and also the FCA Newsletter classifieds are a good place to look. Also the European cars are equipped with dry sump oiling systems and did not mount cats until 1980. Be careful on the DOT paperwork if you run across any of those in the US market.
Thanks BT, That smog gear will probably become a very valuable commodity in the near future with our Governator signing in the new smog laws for older cars. They will now from what I understand need to meet smog standards of the year they were produced. Ask Jay Leno and a whole lot of other CA enthusiasts..not good news... Look out all you other states...
I've found a well tuned carbed car can meet the published standards, without the air pumps at all. Moot point, here in Texas now, but mine did 'pass' for several years........ Wanna buy some?????? j/k
That might be true in Texas (and it is true here in Colorado) -- where the CO limit might be less than 3%. Hitting the less than 1% CO limit in CA is a b*tch (BTDT)!
