Description
The 308 is regarded by many as one of Ferrari‘s greatest production and styling triumphs. The original 308 GTB released in 1975 is the first production Ferrari to have a fibreglass body, excluding the bonnet which is aluminium. The 308 GTB is the direct successor to the Dino 246 GT and enthusiasts of that model praise the air intakes, double taillights and concave rear window that are reminiscent of the predecessor.
So this is an early copy of the 308 GTB and the connoisseur already knows enough: the entire body is made of fibreglass, so with fibreglass-reinforced plastic. If you think that the main reason is weight saving, then we have to disappoint you. Sales of the 308 GT4 Dino, which was presented two years earlier, are somewhat disappointing and Ferrari wants to speed up the launch of the 246 successor. It is faster and easier to make moulds for fibreglass structures than metal press moulds. In addition, Lotus has been successfully reducing the weight of their production sports cars for years using fibreglass bodies. In short: in 1975, the plastic 308 GTB is at the Paris Motor Show earlier than planned.
The 308 GTB Vetroresina is barely built for two years, with only about 800 units produced as a result. In 1977 Ferrari starts production of the steel 308 GTB and the Vetroresina is seen as an inferior version for decades. The fits are slightly less tight than with steel and repairs in the event of damage are much more difficult to do than with a steel 308. The 308 Vetroresina built at Carrozzeria Scaglietti has now become ‘the one to have’, with its lighter weight (1, 050 kg versus 1, 200 kg), the great carburettor engine and low production numbers as the main reasons.
This yellow 308 GTB was delivered new to Mr Biaggi in Switzerland on October 6, 1976. At the dealer where he bought the car, the car was maintained for many years to come, as evidenced by the stamps in the original booklet, which, like the original instruction book, comes with the car is present. The car stays in Switzerland for a long time and eventually moves to Germany. There the car is maintained fantastically, a recent invoice shows that very major maintenance has been carried out and no savings have been made on costs.
The result is an incredibly beautiful and original 308 GTB of the second production year. The condition of the plastic body looks fantastic on the car, only a few GTB’s were delivered in this colour. Fits are as they should be with an early Vetroresina, something that indicates the absence of damage history. The bodywork may not rust, but that does not mean that the parts that are out of sight cannot: luckily we have good news, the underside is also completely rust-free and in very healthy condition.
The interior is completely original. And where that sometimes means that there are too many traces of use, this interior shows that this is not necessary. The driver and sometimes passenger have handled the 308 with care for all 96, 861 kilometres so that the entire interior is in a beautiful condition. The dashboard with beautiful Veglia gauges seems almost new. Something that also applies to the radio, although we mainly refer to the production year. If desired, it is of course quickly exchanged for one from the correct period, if you want a radio on board at all.
The real music comes from the wonderfully mechanical sounding 2. 9 litre V8 with double overhead camshafts. The engine is ‘Matching Numbers’ with the car. The power, 255 hp, goes via a manual gearbox between the rear wheels to the two 245 mm wide rear tires. The engine, like the rest of the car, has had extensive maintenance by a specialist and is therefore completely up to date. The gearbox is fantastic to operate, using the aluminium gear knob and the typical Ferrari shift pattern.
This 308 is in an exceptionally original and healthy condition. In the popular yellow and equipped with the optional 16” wheels, this 308 GTB Vetroresina is one of which you will not easily find a second one.
