JRV 308GTB Glass or Steel

Alan,

Two and a half years ago, when I was looking for my 308, I was originally interested in a GTS QV and test drove a few. One of those dealerships also had a 1978 carburetted GTS for sale and so I asked that we take that one out too. I liked what I drove as it had a recent major service. Unfortunately, the body was in poor shape. But I decided, that day, to consider the early carburetted 308s as well. My last visit to an independent dealership on Long Island resulted in my road-testing a nice 1985 GTS QV. I told the dealership owner that it was a fine car, but somehow I preferred a carburetted car. Well, he had coincidentally been considering selling his personal 1976 308 GTB Fiberglass as he was considering buying a Dino 246 GT. I test drove the car that day and wound up buying it.

It's a very original North American version (with the wet sump, JRV) that was regularly serviced at Algar all its life. The original thermal reactor muffler was removed (it's in my garage) in the early 1980s and replaced with an ANSA exhaust. The body is pretty straight and has held up well over the years. I think that has pretty much been the case with these fiberglass bodies.

I'm very pleased with my car. At the time of purchase, the premium over a steel body GTB with similar history was about $3,000. I felt comfortable with that.

Barry

Barry,

great story!

Not a thing wrong with wet sumps and a $3K difference is nothing if one gets what they want.

I didn't come right out and say it, but many brokers/dealers try to get $20K or better over a comporable or better steel car. Once one factors in service, updating, refurbishing one could be very deep in a car. In the 80's the cars could trade hands for large premiums, however "I don't think the average buyers ever saw a return on that premium paid" (did they?) and the prices asked have seemingly declined to their present levels.. Haven't prices asked for glass cars come down? Admittedly I'm not a broker or used car salesman so I don't keep a really sharp eye out on all Ferrari prices, only a passive interest. So please don't take my comments wrong. Generally my thoughts & ramblings are geared towards helping guys get the most bang for their buck.

Regards, JRV

JRV,

The dealer was very down-to-earth and helpful in every phase of my purchase. It was his personal car for 5 years and he was very attached to it. He seemed concerned that the car be cared for as he and the previous owners had cared for it. As a result, I feel he was very realistic in his asking price.

It came with full service records from Algar. Even Lee Romani at Algar and Phil Tegtmeier, a salesperson at Algar for many years and now a chief concours judge in this area, remember my car as it was the first GTB they sold at Algar and serviced there regularly. They're happy to see the car still problem-free. I feel very fortunate in this first purchase.

I'm not sure what prices for these cars are doing. I'm not considering selling the car right now so I don't really check selling prices. I just enjoy driving it year-round and showing it occasionally. It usually gets silver awards because of the ANSA muffler and the the belts off the air pumps. At least the ANSA has held up well because of that:



Barry

Hi Barry!

Welcome! We've chatted before about mufflers and other details!

I saw a glass car unusual color, white/blue interior for $115K in the crazy years, haven't seen it since. Also recently have seen glass 308s as low as $20K, so I guess you get what you pay for.

Yours looks great!

Speedy"Looking for a spare one"308

I guess I'll stay with '77 Steel, then.

Dam_ rust bugs! LOL!

If you ever DO release it. please let me know, Dr. Barry.

You can reach me thru JRV, anytime!
Of course, he'll want commission! LOL!

It's obviously a special car, having been cared for by experts. I can only say that about mine for the last six years.

Hi Alan,

Yes, I remember our e-mails last year regarding our mufflers and exhaust valances. Yours was a transitional year that had a screen attached to a valance like mine before Ferrari went to the large slotted exhaust cover. My 1976 did not have that screen. I was wondering if you might post a picture of your rear valance treatment.

Thank you for your kind comments. Right now, my car is at Classic Coach for a major service. I do agree with JRV's sentiments regarding the Euro set-up with dry sump and single distributor and I would have preferred the Euro fiberglass, but this is what came up purely by coincidence. I'll enjoy this one for a while longer. It's fun to drive and its history of being among the first 4 North American version GTBs imported by Chinetti adds to #19399's distinction.

Rust is for the most part a non-issue. The rocker panels, however, are steel and have to be looked after.

Regards, again,
Barry

Well, it's being fabricated now!

We had a wreck come in with one to use as a template. The hardest part has been availablity of the patterned steel.

Will post photos ASAP. I do have the photos of the one off the car we are using as pattern.

Thanks Alan. Meanwhile, I found a picture of what the screen looks like. Something like this?



Barry

Exactly!!

I have noticed that my Ansa exhaust tips are spaced differently from the original, by a few inches! THAT explains where mine went!

I can see 'em scratching their heads, and throwing it away, once the Ansa was on.

We're making two, once the material arrives!
We'll save the patterns, as well.

Alan,

The cut-outs on your original screen (wherever that may be) fit the OEM muffler for your car which I think was the (pre-cat) thermal reactor muffler. Mine resides in my garage:



I'll have to measure the spacing between the tailpipes on both my ANSA and OEM muffler (out of curiosity).

Barry