“308 GTB – the latest Ferrari has a lot to live up to.” – we take a trip back to 1976 and revisit our very own review of the then cutting-edge Ferrari 308 GTB.
“It’s striking shape derives from the Dino 246 GT, the graceful yet aggressive lines were created by Pininfarina, who has been responsible for Ferrari bodies in recent years. ”
“This car is devoid of frills and embellishments of any kind – there is no chrome paling and all trim, even the window openings, is finished in anti-reflecting materials.”
“It’s not a grand tourer in the old style. It is a car of intoxicating excitement.”
“It’s beautiful 90-degree V8 motor is transversely mounted behind the driver. Both engine and suspension are derived from Ferrari’s racing experience. The V8 is based on a unit which won the 1964 Formula 1 Championship.”
“At the twist of the key, the engine starts at once. At this stage you hear it as a soft roar. After three laps, I note that all gauges are normal and thrust harder on the throttle pedal, calling on the motor to show what it is made of. It responds with a muscular pressure in the small of my back as the car gathers speed rapidly. The engine is now a muted scream behind me.”
“The ride is taut but rubbery, with a sense of wide treads sucking at the roads surface during each change of direction and this quickly builds confidence and invites you to exploit the engine power.”
“I nose the Ferrari out to the quiet country roads, then onto the motorway, where I give it its head for the first time, seeing 245 km/h at 7 000r/min on the town main instruments. Braking hard to a standstill, I drop the clutch at over 6 000 r/min to send the car skating away from the rest in a tremendous roar and a burst of blue smoke as the tires fight to grip the tarmac.”
“The overall consumption has been 18,5 litres/100km and I have only one criticism; for driving in traffic, I am used to flashing my beams occasionally to signal other drivers, and in the 308 that just can’t be done. But if I had the cash, this certainly would not deter me!”
Words: Alessandro Stefanini – June 1976
