Hi, I've been patiently waiting since last December for a 328 to come along and land on my doorstep, when this 1976 carbed fiberglass 308 GTB suddenly goes on sale on E-Bay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6212&item=2487360296&sspagename=rvi%3A1%3A1 Suddenly, I'm intrigued. Not least because I would really like a Ferrari that is neither red nor black. My "ideal" is a blu chiaro 328, and this was in fact the very car I saw last November that infected me with F-car disease. Now this gold 308 with black Boxer style trim speaks to me. Apparently a unique original factory paint. Also a rare fiberglass variant. Two different reasons for a rare F car. Most importantly, I think I like it. So much so that I've already finished a book on Weber carburators over the weekend, though I've never been inclined to read about engines before. Anyway, I want to check it out in LA if it doesn't sell at E-Bay auction within the next 4 hours. Would any fellow F-Chatters in Dallas who own carbed 308's be so gracious as to invite me to show their car before I travel to California to inspect the one for sale? I'm available all evenings this week. Thanks, Vlad
I wish I had one to show you, I love sound of the carbed 308's. I'm only aware of one such model in town though, and I don't think he frequents this board. If you want to see a broken 328, I can help you.
Talk to Rodney Hass or better yet, Norwoods. Although don't know if they have any carbs in there right now.
Drop on down to Houston, bra..... One of mine's in for paint, here's the keys to the other one... That car's been in the market since June. I don't know much about that particular one but the asking price may be getting softer. Nice color on the car, IMO. Loose the black trim ...not original on a 308GTB that old....
Steve Mamam has a euro glass, but it's a long way to Canada! Tell me about the Houston Car, Paul C........
it belongs to a friend in SA. He bought it in CA about two years ago. It has had a documented full body and interior restoration. All books and records are with the car. It has 85k miles give or take. Original 14in wheels and optional 16in also. I had the pleasure of driving it back to TX with him, the car runs great and looks absoultely perfect. It won 2nd of 3rd in the Concorso Italiano in 2000 or 01 I am not sure, but he has the documentation. My friend is wanting a driver car, prob a bit newer (355). he will not list it for sale but he is willing to take offers.
Vlad, I'm just west of Ft Worth, but you're welcome to come out and check out my '79 carb 308. It's a GTS (steel obviously) but we can put the top on and pretend. You'll have to pretend it isn't red too.
'78 or newer = catalytic convertors. '76 Fibreglass would not have them.....or '77 steel my .02 There's your ride! Thanks, 4webers! Bring that gold one back to Texas!
4Webers, I will PM you. I would be very grateful to meet with you and your car Wednesday or Thursday after work. I will fly to LA for three days this weekend to look at the gold/black one. Speedy308, thanks for all your input on my various threads about this car the past few days. Unfortunately, I will not be able to make the time to come to Houston prior to this weekend. But maybe I'll visit in a few weeks with a "new" car.
Correct me if I am wrong; They weren't required until '78 and even then I believe they used a thermal reactor muffler in lieu of separate cats.. Also begining in 78 was reprofiled cams etc.......... Import loophole or some such until then.
Its called a DOT Certified Non Catalyst Sticker....... Included free with any Ferrari purchase, prior to 1978! You are correct. The asbestos wrapped headers, along with the legendary 125 pound thermo muffler, basically was hot enough to oxidize unburned HC between the head and the tailpipe. That together with a little freash air injection via mechanical belt driven pumps and the dual point ignition dropping idle advance back to 5 degrees, got them to squeak by the then current 1976 Smog Legislation. By 1978 the jig was up and they had to redo the whole approach, hence the cam retiming, etc.
Production numbers may have had something to do with it, but my car actually makes the specified PPMs if tuned razor sharp. It passed two years here before going exempt.. I almost had to leave JR under the hood when I shut it to do it though......
I misread your post. I thought you meant you wouldn't have a fiberglass or steel car from pre-78. I thought that was a little strange. "'76 Fibreglass would not have them.....or '77 steel"
Oh, I see...THAT would be strange as I have TWO. LOL! I was specifically refering to the catalytic convertors....
I'd like to thank Darrell (4Webers) for showing me his car this evening. I've never been west of Fort Worth. I must say a shiney red Ferrari really stands out in West Texas. His car is beautiful and immediately brought a smile to my face. It was real fortunate to see a great example of a carbed 308 in the area on short notice. Thanks Darrell for volunteering. The carbs really do sound great with acceleration. The car looks and feels like a Ferrari should. Everything from engine bay to body to cockpit smacks of Ferrari engineering and styling. Never sitting or riding in a 308 before, my fears of the car not being fun to drive were well put to rest. You cannot help but feel involved with the car and the road during the ride. Definitely doesn't feel at all like a "normal" car. The 308 also has this element of lightness to it during the ride, something between a Go Cart and a race car. Now I know what people mean when they say Ferrari built race cars for the road. I was also very impressed with how well proper care and maintenance can defy age. The car seemed to be less than five years old, rather than 25 years old. Anyway, this was an invaluable experience prior to seeing another one for sale. I can definitely see myself happy with a 308 model.
Kudos to Darryl. Vlad, the older cars are very 'analog' vs the computerized, sanitized automotive machines of today. That's why I love them. Noisy, rough, hot, and fun!
