Ferrari Scoop
Ferrari GTB
308 GTB
Many people are familiar with the Ferrari 308 GTB from its legendary appearance on the television show Magnum P.I. The first 8 - cylinder engine for Ferrari was produced in 1975 (“First Time: Ferrari History”). The car was first shown at the Paris Motor Show in 1975, but it received fame and worship from people worldwide; it launched the sales for Ferrari just in this one model (Anderson).
Despite the current oil crisis that was presently occurring (“Oil Crisis of the 1970s”), buyers and car enthusiasts were not fazed by its low gas mileage. The 308 GTB was on the market for a substantial period of ten years. The car was designed by Carrozzeria Pininfarina, an Italian car designer, and was available as a coupe or Targa. As a V8 sports car, it was designed to be a more refined modern car than its predecessor, the Dino 246 GTS, with improvements in performance; the GTS produces 195 horsepower and the GTB produces around 255. Improvements in handling; the engine was changed from the rear to mid in the 308 which allows for a more balanced distribution of weight. In addition, the front grill was also appealingly redesigned and fewer units were made of the 308 making it a harder vehicle to attain but nonetheless more desirable. Ferrari also intended to target a broader market with the 308 GTB by offering it in both body styles. Furthermore, it was the first Ferrari with a fiberglass body (“First Time: Ferrari History”).
Additionally, Ferrari hoped that the 308 GTB would help the company meet new omissions and safety regulations being introduced in many markets worldwide. The model was a popular vehicle, with over 12,000 units produced during its production run. The GTB was designed to be a versatile and capable sports car that could appeal to many customers (Mills).
Take a moment to hear about Steve Altons' experience and a dream come true with the 308 GTB.
Finishing with the 328 GTB
The 308 GTB had a long and fun run, but to top that model, Ferrari came out with the last of the two-seater series, the 328 GTB. The name comes from the 3.2-liter total displacement and the number of cylinders. The car was beautifully born to the public in 1985 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. What caught many people's eyes was the 328's sexy new ability to also be a GTS, unlike the 308, which simply means it can take its top off despite its hardtop. Most convertibles at the time had a simple soft top that mechanically folded to the end of the vehicle; the 328 was a hardtop, which got rid of any extra fabric and added more of a sleek look with Ferrari's classic red paint top. Many Ferrari fans applauded their decision to keep most of the 308 body styles in the 328. For example, The headlights are the same roundness, and the grille is somewhat similar to the 308 (“328, Last Act: Ferrari History”).
Though it is not the fastest car of the time, the vehicle received much popularity being a new and improved predecessor of the iconic 308. The 328 was also featured in several movies and television shows, including the series Miami Vice, which helped to increase its popularity and status as an exemplary sports car. In addition to the 308 GTB, it was a car designed by Carrozzeria Pininfarina and produced in relatively small numbers, with just over 1300 units built during its production run (“Ferrari 308 & 328”). This vehicle was the finishing creation of the line of two-seater GTBs.
How the Ferrari Company Advanced from the 308 GTB to the 328 GTB
The Ferrari 308 and 328 GTB were highly regarded sports cars that gained a reputation for their exceptional performance, handling, and styling. There are several reasons why these cars were considered better than others in their class.
The Ferrari 328 GTB increased in engine displacement, with a 3.2 L V8 engine that produced 270 hp, compared to the 308 GTB's 3.0 L V8 engine that produced between 240 and 255 hp. However, the widespread use of the V8 engine was renowned for its reliability, power, and responsiveness compared to those without different engines (Nick).
The increase in engine size and power allowed the 328 GTB to accelerate faster and achieve higher top speeds regarding the arrow dynamics; the 328 GTB had improved enormously, with a slightly redesigned front grill, an utterly new side, air intakes, and a smoother rear deck (“328, Last Act: Ferrari History.”). These changes helped to reduce drag and improve the car's overall performance.
The Ferrari 328 GTB had a new suspension system to improve handling and stability. The car featured a revised front suspension that used new geometry and thicker anti-roll bars and a redesigned rear suspension that used a new wishbone arrangement (“Ferrari 328 & 308”). In addition, the 328 GTB was lighter than the 308 GTB, thanks to the use of aluminum for the engine block and cylinder heads and thinner steel for the body panels (“328, Last Act: Ferrari History”). The changes to the Ferrari 328 GTB aimed to improve the car's performance, handling, and comfort while meeting new emissions and safety regulations.
Both vehicles had lightweight and aerodynamic body that was redesigned to reduce drag and improve handling compared to other cars. The bodies were made from high-quality materials, such as fiberglass, Kevlar, and carbon fiber, which helped to reduce weight and improve performance. The car's aerodynamic shape allowed it to cut through the air more efficiently when racing against competitors. The vehicles were equipped with independent suspension systems, which allowed each wheel to move independently and adapt to the road surface, which not many cars had at the time (“Ferrari 308 & 328”).
In addition, they were built to the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship. When you saw a Ferrari or heard the name, an image of excellence was brought into view, and these cars exemplified that image. The vehicles are now sought after as a daily driver's vehicle to enjoy their many impressive traits, from performance on the track to a drive down a favored road. All Ferraris were and still are hand built by skilled technicians who take pride in their work, and the attention to detail was second to none for these. The result of the GTB is a car that looks beautiful and lasts for many years with proper maintenance.
308 GTB
