Hey guys, I sat in a 1985 Ferrari 308 a while back, and was surprised the steering wheel wasn't adjustable. I asked the dealer if there was any tilt wheel feature, and he said no. No? Now I read people say the height of the wheel can be adjusted by tweaking some bolts if you get under there and really stretch, but is there really no tilt wheel? Basically what I mean is, can you adjust the 'angle' of the steering wheel? Or can you only adjust the height of it? Does the 308 have tilt? Does the 328 have tilt? Does the TR have tilt? I know this seems petty, but it's a comfort issue. Thanks
Ditto on that thought. The NSX is a much better comfort car than the 3x8. No, no tilt on the 308/328. If you haven't been in these cars, you won't believe how the pedals sit. Basically, you are required to adjust yourself to fit the car -- it's the Italian way. Comfort is not the strong point on these cars. If you live in a hot climate, you're going to hate the AC. Fill out your profile and give us an idea where you are, maybe someone can let you check out their car.
I AM NOT INTERESTED IN JAP CARS! Sorry, I'll make do in a 308 any way it comes, I'm just asking. I hate when people suggest another car, like gee, I never thought of that
In the 328 there are 2 bolts that hold the steering wheel to the dash. They can be adjust for angle, and reach within a limited range. At the max "down and out" it is still "up and forward", but at least your hands clear the dash board when you make a turn.
Tillman, Nice domain, anyways I like the little GTB type window thing you fitted on your GTS. I had thought of doing that myself and thought I was the only person to even think of such a thing. Very interesting to finally see a GTS model with it done. Cool.
Sorry, but it just strikes me that you are looking for Ferrari with all the accoutrements of a more modern car and with an Auto gearbox...the NSX certainly fits the bill and to my mind looks better than some Ferraris, mine included.
Ok now that's what I figured. Thanks. Is this adjustment something that's easily done, like by anyone. Or is it tricky to do? Because what really gets me is that some Ferrari owners didn't even know they can do what you just said.
Two slightly O/T questions guys... What is a 3X8 and how do you get the smiley faces in or at the end of text Dan? : )
Tillman and I have compared our steering wheel angles side by side, and they're different. His has been adjusted, mine hasn't! Tillman is right, you adjust yourself to the car. You either make yourself fit, or you don't.
No mine doesn't "tilt" either, but it can be adjusted via the aformentioned bolts, albeit very little. And it stays off centered!
Actually they've been around before Tillman did it... you can see another example on a red 308 that preceded his at http://70.85.40.84/~ferrari/discus/messages/18/223314.html (or in my profile ) In that thread, there's a link to more pics and ultimately to the body shop that did it for me.
Oh, I missed the earlier statement by Horowitz. Yes, I think Mike did it first. There's also at least one other, a red GTB/S owned by Andreas up Chicago way. A local friend is thinking about doing his this way, he already has the painted top and smoothed spoiler. I just pulled the rear spoiler off of my car, I think it makes for a smoother line. I'm going to run it that way this summer to check for cooling problems before permanently filling the holes. See http://fcadfw.com/lunchjune2005.shtml for some pics
My 308 GTB is very comfortable! I think it's more comfortable than an NSX, which I can't fit in. Less headroom! (I'm 6'3"). I added a spacer to my steering column, bringing the wheel closer to me. No rubbed knucles on the dash. Also, the pedal arrangement has never felt that weird to me. I just get in (the hard part!)and drive, w/ few complications. Even my first drive was rather comfortable. I'm Italian...maybe that's why........! Greg
Yes....Testarossas do have a tilt steering wheel.....but not telescoping.....that would be nice for those of us that don't fit the Italian gorilla shape (long arms, short legs)....
Yes you can adjust the height and tilt in a 308, althought there's not a lot of adjustment there to begin with. Use a screw driver and remove the cover below the steering columm. Use a 10mm (I think) and loosen the bolts holding the steering columm. Use a large adjustable wrench and loosen the slip bolt lower down on the columm. Make the wheel tilt and adjust the height to where you like it and then tighten the whole mess up. Try to make it so that you can see the guages.If you memorize the guage placement, then you can hide the tops of the guages and make the wheel lower. Have fun. Bob Wassam
That's really nice. You and Tillman both have got my style. Now all you have to do is get rid of that damn roofdeck spoiler (sorry guys, but I hate that thing because it looks really tacky, and Enzo was quoted as saying the car should be the spoiler, and I agree, so get rid of any extraneous bs) and keep everything stock. Oh, and nevermind my ridiculous ideas of converting a Ferrari to automatic. I finally drove one the other day. I got a bit more into this whole 'manual' thing after renting and getting used to driving stick (a 1990 POS truck, but I got into it nonetheless). I drove a 1980 308 for about 3 miles. My friend has one and he finally let me drive the damn thing. However, I was not impressed, as my Jaguar XJS (V12) is clearly more powerful. But I find the 308 comfortable for a 6'0" guy like myself. Yeah, my legs were totally contorted, but I was comfortable enough. My friend cut me off after just getting into it because he claimed I was killing the transmission, but I think I can get very used to driving a 308, and I assume a 328 just the same, if not better (easier). PS: That targa top you have customized is a really, really nice touch. Why Ferrari didn't offer that as an option is a mystery to me as a body colored top is so much nicer than their standard, boring black, which seems to tototally clash with any body color other than, well, black.
