1976 Ferrari 308 GTB VETRORESINA, Coachwork by Scaglietti Design by Pininfarina

1976 Ferrari 308 GTB VETRORESINA
Coachwork by Scaglietti
Design by Pininfarina
Chassis no. 19433
Engine no. 01733
2,926cc DOHC Wet-Sump V8 Engine
4 Weber Carburetors
255bhp at 7,700rpm
5-Speed Manual Transaxle
4-Wheel Disc Brakes

*One of 712 'Vetroresina' 308s
*A California and Arizona car from new
*Well documented with decades of receipts
*Recently serviced

THE FERRARI 308 GTB

Introduced at the Paris Salon in 1975, the stunningly beautiful 308 GTB – Ferrari's second V8-engined road car – marked a welcome return to Pininfarina styling following the Bertone-designed Dino 308 GT4. Badged as a 'proper' Ferrari rather than a Dino, the newcomer had changed little mechanically apart from a reduction in wheelbase, retaining its predecessor's underpinnings and the transversely mounted, quad-cam 3.0-liter V8 engine that now featured dry-sump lubrication. In road tune this superbly engineered power unit produced 255bhp, an output good enough to propel the aerodynamically efficient 308 to a top speed of 150mph (240km/h).

Produced initially with fiberglass (vetroresina) bodywork (the first time this material had been used for a production Ferrari) the Scaglietti-built 308 GTB used steel after April 1977. The change brought with it a considerable weight penalty (around 80kg) and a consequent reduction in performance, as well as an increased susceptibility to corrosion. Naturally, anyone wanting to race a 308 GTB started out with the vetroresina version if they could. Further developments included the introduction of an open GTS version with a Targa-style removable roof, the adoption of Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection (in 1980) and, finally, revised cylinder heads with four valves per cylinder (1982).

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

In May of 1976 this particular fiberglass-bodied 308 GTB, chassis number 19433, was completed in Maranello and finished in the classic combination of Rosso over a Fawn leather interior. Destined for the American market, this lightweight fiberglass 308 was first sold in California to its original owner, retaining a California Black Plate (back when it meant something) for many years.

Receipts going back to the 1982 show the car having received regular maintenance by marque specialists up and down the California coast from Los Gatos down to San Diego. An inspection of the car by Ferrari of Los Gatos in 1988 described it as "in original factory delivered condition with little or no repainting" and in the ensuing 30 years it appears little has changed. Acquired by the current owner in 2012, the high level of care with which the car had become used to was continued in their care.

Today the car presents very well and appears to be an original, unrestored car. Showing only 16,649 on the odometer, the paint appears largely original with some evidence of aging that comes from the combination of fiberglass and Italian paintjobs. The Fawn leather seats with black inserts show wear and use commensurate with age while the red carpets present nicely. Overall, the car appears as an honest, well-kept vehicle that is ripe for continued use and enjoyment.

As the rarest example of one of Ferrari's most popular models, this is a unique opportunity to acquire one of the most sought after Ferraris of the 1970s and the only Ferrari road car to be skinned in lightweight fiberglass.