Vetroresina 308s

The reason why Australian 308 GTBs are wet sump is because of ADR27. That directive stipulated very strict idle emissions. The only way a 308 would pass was to retard the ignition at idle. Hence the R1/R2 points change over microswitch. Having a second set of points meant running a set of points above 1,100 rpm and another set below. Therefore the engines had to run twin distributors. Problem, the rear distributor sits where the dry sump tank mounts.

So our Australian 308 ADR27 compliant engines are a bit of a hybrid, and unique to our market. Unlike the USA engines, ours ran only one air pump, had air injection but no thermal reactors (Later catalysts) of the USA cars. Our ignition timing was also retarded compared to the European engines.

All carburettor 308 egines have identical compression ratios at 8.8:1 and all camshafts are identical too, except for the very early 1975 308 GT/4 engines where there was a little more lift on the exhaust cam. I am unsure of the exact change but I'm guessing its somewhere around chassis number 09500.

An exhaust evaporative system was also fitted to the Australian cars, hence the lines on the carburettors and cannister sitting in the rear right of the engine bay. (Note, this also dictated a different header tank, and the cannister displaced that about 6" to the left).

Incidentally, our 308 GTB's also received the USA specification transmission. Or more correctly, a GT/4 transmission. The GT/4 box has a slightly shorter 5th. gear compared to the European version. If you pull an Australian 308 GTB transmission down, you'll see "USA" engraved on the input shaft.

You can claw back all the power and torque of the European 308 engines. You need to advance the ignition, change the carburettor jets but most importantly, change the exhaust manifolds and rear muffler. The Australian cars had the manifolds that were very slightly smaller in diameter to the European ones, and a more restrictive exhaust silencer.
Of course the sands of time have ensured that most engines have been re-built or at least tweaked by now. It's very difficult to find a 308 with the smog pump still fitted!

An Australian 308 GTB is very easy to spot. It will have the following:

1. Wet sump.
2. Engine will have a rough sand cast rear cam cover. The front one will be smooth like the European cars. Also, that rear cover will have a mount for the smog pump.
3. Smog pump pulley or at least evidence thereof on the rear bank exhaust camshaft.
4. Evaporative emissions system
5. Compliance plate
6. 20mm thick sunvisors (European cars had the thin 10mm ones with the press stud in the roof to hold them up)
7. Exhaust manifolds wrapped in insulation.
8. Large box type exhaust silencer
9. A small letter "A" at the bottom of each glass panel. This was to indicate the lack of any tinting in the glass which was not ADR approved at the time. European 308s have no "A" and green tinted glass
10. Full size spare tyre.
11. Spare belt for the smog pump in the tool kit
12. "Australia Version" owners handbook with a red cover.
13. Air conditioning.
14. Offset header tank
15. Australian specification seat belts with the approval number sewn on the webbing.
16. No Australian 308 GTB ever had the firing order plaque fitted. The air box simply had two holes where it was supposed to go. The reason for this remains a mystery.

All Australian 308 GTBs had to comply with ADR27. My car, #19329 is the first Australian delivered 308 GTB, it was manufactured in June 1976, the month ADR27 came into effect.

Regards,

Carl.

 

Of course, not to mention an "A" or and "AU" in the assembly number identifies an Australian car.

 

That is the correct style sticker, it is a reproduction, not that it matters. The paint code was usually written with a scriber or a typewriter. Though on some very low volume colours I have seen in written in pen, even on the later cars. There is a Blu Scuro 355 and 512TR in Australia, both those cars have the paint code written in pen.

Regards,

Carl.

 

Petey Pooh,

I think our cars should be the same colour How lovely, two 308's in Toorak, owned by legends!

Anyway, this is the heritage certificate for my car, so I assume that the factory should know the correct paint code for Azzurro,

Love and kisses,

Carl.
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A bit like you, had a tap up the bum!

Note, only USA glass cars lacked the reversing lights in the bumper.

 

But he says the wheels are 15". No such fitment, unless it has 15" and bit TRX rims?