Description
Officially introduced at the Paris Salon in October 1975, the 308 GTB’s styling was created by Pininfarina. The stunning two seat coachwork was all new, but incorporated all of the old magic by blending aspects of the Dino 206/246 with the later 365 GT4/BB. Reminiscent of the Boxer was the dihedral groove at bumper level splitting top and bottom, the plunging nose and the sail panels reaching back to meet a shallower spoiler, while the conical side air intakes and recessed concave rear window were familiar from the Dino.
The 308 GTB employed a tubular steel chassis with independent coil spring/wishbone suspension front and rear, complimented by anti-roll bars, adjustable dampers and powerful disc brakes. At its heart was a Formula One derived, all alloy, four camshaft 3.0 litre V8 engine, allied to a transversely mounted five-speed gearbox.
The very first 308 GTBs produced, until the end of 1976, were the fastest and best handling thanks to a fibreglass body that weighed substantially less than the steel coachwork which replaced it. These first cars also featured race-bred dry sump lubrication which again was replaced after a short period in favour of the less expensive wet sump.
Rolling off the Ferrari production line in 1976, this rare fibreglass, dry sump car; (the only ones given Group 4 homologation for competition) chassis 19611, was delivered new to the UK and is one of a small handful of UK delivered cars with only 154 produced. The vendor informs us the car is in excellent condition in every respect and comes with a significant history file containing its original book pack/wallet, lots of original Ferrari Maranello correspondence and a large amount of invoices and receipts and comes with its original spare wheel and jack.
The GTB Vetroresina is the most desirable version of Ferrari’s iconic 308 and with this being a genuine UK delivered right hand drive example making it particularly rare. A highly collectable and fine example of an early production 308 and a fantastic investment opportunity.
