'Motorsport' magazine review of Ferrari 308 Vetroresina

[rat rod]

Slippydiff said:

rat rod said:

Another delight from the "Ferrari Online " YouTube channel. Title " A Fiberglass Ferrari ? The Ferrari 308 Vetroresina " .
Yes browngt3, it's Colleen again our favourite YouTuber, can you link it as I still haven't got a clue how to.

Here you go :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7shiXR98ht4



Looks like Chassis No 19377. It's restoration is documented here :

https://ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/76-308gtb-ve...

And stick with the thread, the car starts off red, but reverts to its original hue in the course of its restoration. It's a stunning example.



She's easier on the eye when compared to Harry Metcalfe, but I think Harry's review was somewhat more factual

Love Harry but must agree with you, said this before but if you tired her hands together she wouldn't be able to talk,very Italian. Had a 1977 some years ago in the same colour,really suits it,brings out the lines,sold it to John Swift and i think he's still racing it.

[Slippydiff]

rat rod said:

Love Harry but must agree with you, said this before but if you tired her hands together she wouldn't be able to talk,very Italian. Had a 1977 some years ago in the same colour,really suits it,brings out the lines,sold it to John Swift and i think he's still racing it.

Yes, the constantly moving hand became a bit of distraction to her

I just watched her 360 Challenge Stradale video, she was quite happy driving along without her hands on the wheel (at all)
Mind you, that was nothing compared with her technique for holding the wheel (or not) when cornering. That's best described as errrr, "novel"

[rat rod]

Slippydiff said:

rat rod said:

Love Harry but must agree with you, said this before but if you tired her hands together she wouldn't be able to talk,very Italian. Had a 1977 some years ago in the same colour,really suits it,brings out the lines,sold it to John Swift and i think he's still racing it.

Yes, the constantly moving hand became a bit of distraction to her

I just watched her 360 Challenge Stradale video, she was quite happy driving along without her hands on the wheel (at all)
Mind you, that was nothing compared with her technique for holding the wheel (or not) when cornering. That's best described as errrr, "novel"

Very knowledgeable young lady ,the perfect partner for a petrol head,would normally ask is her mother single but at my age i would probably stand more chance with her grandmother

[browngt3]

Thanks ratrod for posting that and thank you Henry for posting the link. You both beat me to it actually!

That's a lovely example and the car ain't too bad either! Eye-watering restoration cost - wonder if thats partly down to the higher Ferrari maintenance costs alluded to in another thread?

[ettore]

Just caught this thread and good to read an old review from Jenks.

Currently have a 76 GTB and an 89 GTS and love the early car!

[rat rod]

browngt3 said:

Thanks ratrod for posting that and thank you Henry for posting the link. You both beat me to it actually!

That's a lovely example and the car ain't too bad either! Eye-watering restoration cost - wonder if thats partly down to the higher Ferrari maintenance costs alluded to in another thread?

What car ?oh yes that one. I thought you would have seen it.It amazes me how channels like Colleen's and John Temerian Curated get overlooked and don't get the recognition they deserve by us in the UK preferring the more regular You Tubers such as Shmee ,Mr JWW ect,maybe most American You Tubers are a little on the loud side and same old thing for us ,the yanks seem to like them that's the main thing. Only reading and watching you tubes it would seem that repairs and restoration on cars like Ferrari's and Lamborghini's generally have much higher rates in America than here in the UK. There's always so called specialist's that will take advantage of the badge both here and the states or anywhere else for that matter .

Edited by rat rod on Wednesday 8th July 00:36

[rat rod]

ettore said:

Just caught this thread and good to read an old review from Jenks.

Currently have a 76 GTB and an 89 GTS and love the early car!

Owning the first and the last of the bread you must be in a good position to compare them with each other,fellow P.H member"Fessia fancier"also owns a 76 or 77 GTB and 328 , I have owned my track GTB for over 25 years and also have had both a injection and QV 308 but thought something missing, never driven a 328 but thought that should fill the gap but on throttle bodies to give it that induction noise reminiscent of the carbs ,don't think i will be disappointed.

[ettore]

rat rod said:

ettore said:

Just caught this thread and good to read an old review from Jenks.

Currently have a 76 GTB and an 89 GTS and love the early car!

Owning the first and the last of the bread you must be in a good position to compare them with each other,fellow P.H member"Fessia fancier"also owns a 76 or 77 GTB and 328 , I have owned my track GTB for over 25 years and also have had both a injection and QV 308 but thought something missing, never driven a 328 but thought that should fill the gap but on throttle bodies to give it that induction noise reminiscent of the carbs ,don't think i will be disappointed.

I doubt you will be disappointed.

They’re actually very obviously the same car. The detailing, pliancy and noise of the GRP (in old money!) car make it a better classic, particularly as mine is back on the original rims/tyres and sans chin spoiler. The 328 was my schoolboy crush though, and in objective terms is the more resolved product. I can’t say there’s a massive difference in performance either.

Both very much of their decade but the toggle switches, funky dials (contrary to Jenks’ opinion), dry sump/carbs and original Fiovoranti shape make me love the 308 more.

[rat rod]

ettore said:

I doubt you will be disappointed.

They’re actually very obviously the same car. The detailing, pliancy and noise of the GRP (in old money!) car make it a better classic, particularly as mine is back on the original rims/tyres and sans chin spoiler. The 328 was my schoolboy crush though, and in objective terms is the more resolved product. I can’t say there’s a massive difference in performance either.

Both very much of their decade but the toggle switches, funky dials (contrary to Jenks’ opinion), dry sump/carbs and original Fiovoranti shape make me love the 308 more.

Thanks for the reply, To me it's the little things like you say ,the toggle switches ,the solid stalks on the steering column and simplicity of the dashboard and dials makes it feel old school compared to the 328's more plastic ones but like anything else that's the way they are.The overall theatre and drama from the carbs and depending what exhaust is fitted gives more excitement and impression of speed on the 308 than the 328 ,the best of both worlds really. Mick and Phil at QV in Windsor both have 308 GTB's and have fitted them with 328 engines on throttle bodies so they would be the ones to ask,

[Slippydiff]

browngt3 said:

Thanks ratrod for posting that and thank you Henry for posting the link. You both beat me to it actually!

That's a lovely example and the car ain't too bad either! Eye-watering restoration cost - wonder if thats partly down to the higher Ferrari maintenance costs alluded to in another thread?

Morning Antony, hope you’re well ?
Though the cars are pretty straightforward mechanically, they’re fiddly to restore “properly”.
But as I mentioned in a previous email, many have been “maintained” by less than diligent owners and “technicians” (and let’s not get onto bodyshops) so all too often, restorations uncover previous heinous acts of butchery and bodging (both mechanically and to the bodywork) that take a lot of time and expense to rectify.
Add to that the original build quality of the early cars (as witnessed in the video I posted earlier in the year) hasn’t exactly helped matters either ...

[cgt2]

ettore said:

I doubt you will be disappointed.

They’re actually very obviously the same car. The detailing, pliancy and noise of the GRP (in old money!) car make it a better classic, particularly as mine is back on the original rims/tyres and sans chin spoiler. The 328 was my schoolboy crush though, and in objective terms is the more resolved product. I can’t say there’s a massive difference in performance either.

Both very much of their decade but the toggle switches, funky dials (contrary to Jenks’ opinion), dry sump/carbs and original Fiovoranti shape make me love the 308 more.

I had both at the same time too. As you say very obviously similar. The 328 was obviously more refined but the same wonderful steering and go karty nimbleness.

For me the biggest difference was the seating position, the 328 you sit just a tad higher which gave a very different perspective. Though to be fair perhaps the seats on my 308 had perhaps lost all their 'squidge' over many years hence why you sit in more of a bathtub. I also found the targa roof fit easily behind the 308 seats whereas it was much tighter in the 328 so it appears again there were some differences in the positioning. Both wonderful cars though which I would have over anything modern.

[browngt3]

rat rod said:

What car ?oh yes that one. I thought you would have seen it.It amazes me how channels like Colleen's and John Temerian Curated get overlooked and don't get the recognition they deserve by us in the UK preferring the more regular You Tubers such as Shmee ,Mr JWW ect,maybe most American You Tubers are a little on the loud side and same old thing for us ,the yanks seem to like them that's the main thing. Only reading and watching you tubes it would seem that repairs and restoration on cars like Ferrari's and Lamborghini's generally have much higher rates in America than here in the UK. There's always so called specialist's that will take advantage of the badge both here and the states or anywhere else for that matter .

Edited by rat rod on Wednesday 8th July 00:36

Yes, I'm a little surprised Colleen hasn't yet received more recognition as the content and watchability are far better than some. I think her channel is more an extension of the garage sales and there's perhaps not enough driving footage to get serious viewing numbers.

Shmee is far too cringe worthy for me so I rarely watch him. Mr JWW has done some interesting stuff but he still treads the tightrope between cringe and enthusiasm

[browngt3]

Slippydiff said:

Morning Antony, hope you’re well ?
Though the cars are pretty straightforward mechanically, they’re fiddly to restore “properly”.
But as I mentioned in a previous email, many have been “maintained” by less than diligent owners and “technicians” (and let’s not get onto bodyshops) so all too often, restorations uncover previous heinous acts of butchery and bodging (both mechanically and to the bodywork) that take a lot of time and expense to rectify.
Add to that the original build quality of the early cars (as witnessed in the video I posted earlier in the year) hasn’t exactly helped matters either ...

Morning Henry, yes well thanks. Trust you are too

Interesting that before I bought my QV I was offered a GTBi project early in the year. The car had the most detailed history file I had ever seen from any car. It was truly staggering. The previous long term owner even included the factory drawings of practically every part that had ever been replaced. When I viewed the shell it was already prepped for paint and everything looked good to my eyes. The vendor reckoned I could create a concours perfect example for an additional 30k on top of the 30k for buying the finished shell. I felt this optimistic and although we can't directly compare the US example we all know how restoration costs can spiral. I agree with your comments here, Henry. Although I would say their shouldn't have been any nasty surprises with that amazing documented history.

But I really wanted a QV and as you know I'm over the moon with it!

[Slippydiff]

browngt3 said:

Morning Henry, yes well thanks. Trust you are too

Interesting that before I bought my QV I was offered a GTBi project early in the year. The car had the most detailed history file I had ever seen from any car. It was truly staggering. The previous long term owner even included the factory drawings of practically every part that had ever been replaced. When I viewed the shell it was already prepped for paint and everything looked good to my eyes. The vendor reckoned I could create a concours perfect example for an additional 30k on top of the 30k for buying the finished shell. I felt this optimistic and although we can't directly compare the US example we all know how restoration costs can spiral. I agree with your comments here, Henry. Although I would say their shouldn't have been any nasty surprises with that amazing documented history.

But I really wanted a QV and as you know I'm over the moon with it!

As ever Antony, there are restorations and there are restorations ... This guy in Canada has done several 308's and BB's, more often than not he upgrades the engines whilst doing a ground up, nut and bolt restoration :

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/79-308-r...

Even for an OCD addict like myself, the attention to detail is amazing. I can only imagine what the end result is like to drive, but until a few years ago (the restoration above started in 2003 and finished in 2009 ...) the cars weren't worth the huge sums required to restore them to as new, or better, condition.

I think you were right to buy the QV rather than the £30K + £30K i "project".
I'm not convinced a concours 308 GTBi would be worth having when compared to a nice carb or QV car.

But it also begs the question as to why the vendor was selling mid-project if the end result was going to be so impressive (his words) ?

I suspect your comments about escalating costs would come home to roost, and the figure of £30K would have turned out to be "conservative" ...

[sparta6]

rat rod said:

ettore said:

I doubt you will be disappointed.

They’re actually very obviously the same car. The detailing, pliancy and noise of the GRP (in old money!) car make it a better classic, particularly as mine is back on the original rims/tyres and sans chin spoiler. The 328 was my schoolboy crush though, and in objective terms is the more resolved product. I can’t say there’s a massive difference in performance either.

Both very much of their decade but the toggle switches, funky dials (contrary to Jenks’ opinion), dry sump/carbs and original Fiovoranti shape make me love the 308 more.

Thanks for the reply, To me it's the little things like you say ,the toggle switches ,the solid stalks on the steering column and simplicity of the dashboard and dials makes it feel old school compared to the 328's more plastic ones but like anything else that's the way they are.The overall theatre and drama from the carbs and depending what exhaust is fitted gives more excitement and impression of speed on the 308 than the 328 ,the best of both worlds really. Mick and Phil at QV in Windsor both have 308 GTB's and have fitted them with 328 engines on throttle bodies so they would be the ones to ask,

It's always a tough call between these two. Both have their pros and cons.
The ideal scenario would be 328 for Mon - Fri, and 308 carbs for weekends

A bit decadent perhaps ?

[rat rod]

sparta6 said:

rat rod said:

ettore said:

I doubt you will be disappointed.

They’re actually very obviously the same car. The detailing, pliancy and noise of the GRP (in old money!) car make it a better classic, particularly as mine is back on the original rims/tyres and sans chin spoiler. The 328 was my schoolboy crush though, and in objective terms is the more resolved product. I can’t say there’s a massive difference in performance either.

Both very much of their decade but the toggle switches, funky dials (contrary to Jenks’ opinion), dry sump/carbs and original Fiovoranti shape make me love the 308 more.

Thanks for the reply, To me it's the little things like you say ,the toggle switches ,the solid stalks on the steering column and simplicity of the dashboard and dials makes it feel old school compared to the 328's more plastic ones but like anything else that's the way they are.The overall theatre and drama from the carbs and depending what exhaust is fitted gives more excitement and impression of speed on the 308 than the 328 ,the best of both worlds really. Mick and Phil at QV in Windsor both have 308 GTB's and have fitted them with 328 engines on throttle bodies so they would be the ones to ask,

It's always a tough call between these two. Both have their pros and cons.
The ideal scenario would be 328 for Mon - Fri, and 308 carbs for weekends

A bit decadent perhaps ?

Maybe shot myself in the foot by making my GTB more track than road ,it's great fun for a few hours drive but not ideal for longer trips or weekends away and after being disappointed in the QV i thought a 328 might bridge that gap.nothing wrong with the QV ,i think it's me ,it just felt to refined compared to the GTB and l found the longer gear lever not so direct as the shorter one in the carburetor cars,why did Ferrari do that, i can't be the only one finding themselfs wanting to saw a few inches off the gear lever so rather spoil a perfectly good road car by modifying it i decided to sell before i got to carried away again. I know calling a QV refined sounds strange but when i replaced my x flow Ford engine Caterham for a k series i said the same about that,i got used to petrol spitting on the windscreen from the twin Webbers so somehow the k series seemed dull. The F430 which i've had now for just over 2 years is a great car but i just haven't bonded with it ,I can't get on with the paddle shift and although 12 years old is to modern by my standards . I should have bought a manual but the premium asked over the paddle shift was crazy at the time and thought i've never driven or owned one so give it a go,My son gets on fine with it and plays the paddles like a orchestra so it's probably a age thing.My dream Ferrari would be a F40 and every time i see a 308/328 i can see the dna in it, which i can't see in the F430 as good as it is . The 328 should be the perfect compromise and give me the perfect pair but for me just needs to be a little rawer without spoiling it's usability.

Edited by rat rod on Thursday 9th July 00:07

[rat rod]

browngt3 said:

rat rod said:

What car ?oh yes that one. I thought you would have seen it.It amazes me how channels like Colleen's and John Temerian Curated get overlooked and don't get the recognition they deserve by us in the UK preferring the more regular You Tubers such as Shmee ,Mr JWW ect,maybe most American You Tubers are a little on the loud side and same old thing for us ,the yanks seem to like them that's the main thing. Only reading and watching you tubes it would seem that repairs and restoration on cars like Ferrari's and Lamborghini's generally have much higher rates in America than here in the UK. There's always so called specialist's that will take advantage of the badge both here and the states or anywhere else for that matter .

Edited by rat rod on Wednesday 8th July 00:36

Yes, I'm a little surprised Colleen hasn't yet received more recognition as the content and watchability are far better than some. I think her channel is more an extension of the garage sales and there's perhaps not enough driving footage to get serious viewing numbers.

Shmee is far too cringe worthy for me so I rarely watch him. Mr JWW has done some interesting stuff but he still treads the tightrope between cringe and enthusiasm

Ye i to find Shmee hard work and only watch him if i have interest in the car he is featuring and then wind it on to when he is actually driving it,to give him some credit he does seem to work hard at it. Quite like JWW especially when he drives the more retro type of cars and he doesn't hold back on driving them either .Trouble is there's so many now so watch all of them from time to time if there's something of interest to me. I love Harry's Garage ,i feel like i'm in the car with him and he's talking to me direct not the mass's,David Ciron is a good watch but only speaks in Italian with very small sub titles but he does know how to drive and gets hold of the cars by the cruft of the neck His F40 video was quite spectacular but i would have had a heart attack if i'd been the owner watching it for the first time..He looks a little like a Italian version of Borat.

[rat rod]

Don't normally talk money but did anyone see the Vetroresina 1976 308 GTB that sold on Collecting Cars for £58k a couple of days ago.Even allowing for the £6k commission that has to be the bargain of year.looks a decent car, with it's 16" speedlines,sports exhaust with a modified rear panel so it fits and looking at the photo's it might be slightly lowered, add a colour change to it so it may not be one for the purist but what a great fun car that you could enjoy driving without the worry that a mint car brings with it,great value for the money.worst thing for me was the 328 seats but the original ones can't be that hard to find being they span from 1975 to 1981 and the other seats could always be sold to recoup expenditure. I think we all got caught napping just like with the Boxer LM a couple of months ago.

Edited by rat rod on Saturday 18th July 03:17

[priley]

I think on closer inspection of the pics there was a fair bit of rust apparently, on A pillars etc, (I think there may also have been mention of a cage having been fitted) so the money to put it right would put it about right.

[Slippydiff]

rat rod said:

Don't normally talk money but did anyone see the Vetroresina 1976 308 GTB that sold on Collecting Cars for £58k a couple of days ago.Even allowing for the £6k commission that has to be the bargain of year.looks a decent car, with it's 16" speedlines,sports exhaust with a modified rear panel so it fits and looking at the photo's it might be slightly lowered, add a colour change to it so it may not be one for the purist but what a great fun car that you could enjoy driving without the worry that a mint car brings with it,great value for the money.worst thing for me was the 328 seats but the original ones can't be that hard to find being they span from 1975 to 1981 and the other seats could always be sold to recoup expenditure. I think we all got caught napping just like with the Boxer LM a couple of months ago.

Discussed and commented on here earlier in the week :

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...