Ferrari 308 GTB Quattrovalvole

Friday 11 November 2011
The Ferrari 308 GTB (and similar 208 and later 328) are mid-engined sports cars manufactured by the Italian company Ferrari in the 1970s-1980s. They made up the lower end of the company's range. The 308 replaced the Dino 246 in 1975 and was updated as the 328 in 1985.
The 308 GTS Quattrovalvole, with a removable targa roof, succeeded the 308 GTSi, and was presented at the 1982 Paris Salon concurrently with the 308 GTB Quattrovalvole model. The Quattrovalvole part of the model name referred to the four valves per cylinder heads on the engine, which provided increased power over the preceding model. Visually the new model was very similar to the outgoing one, but could be recognised by the addition of a slim louvre panel in the front lid to aid radiator exhaust air exit, paired electrically operated door mirrors with a small enamel Ferrari badge on the shell, a revised radiator grille with rectangular driving lights at the extremities, and rectangular (instead of round)side repeater lights. The interior also received some minor alterations, and cloth seat centres became available as an option to the standard full leather, whilst the leather rim satin black three spoke steering wheel featured a triangulated section around the horn push. The removable grained satin black finished roof panel was stowed in a vinyl cover behind the seats when not in use. As with the preceding series’ of 308 models, USA market cars could be identified by heavier bumper assemblies, and rectangular side marker lights on the wings. Options available were metallic paint, a deep front spoiler, air conditioning, wider wheels, 16" Speedline wheels with Pirelli P7 tyres, and a rear of roof satin black finished aerofoil (standard on Japanese market models).
The V8 engine was essentially of the same design as that used in the 308 GTSi model, apart from the four valves per cylinder heads. It was of a 90 degree configuration, with belt driven twin overhead camshafts per bank, having a total capacity of 2926cc, with a bore and stroke of 81mm x 71mm, with wet sump lubrication, bearing factory type reference F 105 AB 000 for European market cars. The claimed power output for main market European cars was 240 bhp at 7000rpm, and 235 bhp at 6800rpm for US market variants. The engine was transversely mounted in unit with the all synchromesh five speed transmission assembly, which was below, and to the rear of the engine's sump. The gear and final drive ratios were altered to suit the revised characteristics of the four valves per cylinder engine. One other significant benefit of the QV four valve heads where the replacement of the non-QV models sodium valves which have been know to fail at the joint between the head and the stem. It was fitted with a Bosch K Jetronic fuel injection system, coupled to a Marelli MED 803A Digiplex electronic ignition system, incorporating a coil, distributor and ignition module to serve each bank of cylinders. All US market examples were fitted with catalytic converters. The main European market 308 GTS Quattrovalvole models had a tubular chassis with factory type reference F 105 GS 100, Disc brakes, with independent suspension via wishbones, coil springs, and hydraulic shock absorbers, were provided all round, with front and rear anti roll bars. All models were numbered in the Ferrari odd number road car chassis sequence of the time, with right and left hand drive available. The model was produced in a total of 3042 examples, over four times as many as the concurrent fixed roof berlinetta, between 1982 and 1985 in the chassis number range 41701 to 59265. (Text from Ferrari)
Bosch K-Jetronic mechanical fuel injection was added for the 1980 308 GTBi and GTSi, dropping power to 214 hp (160 kW) but decreasing emissions. Two years later, the 4-valve per cylinder Quattrovalvole or QV model pushed output back up to 240 hp (179 kW) restoring the performance. The European version boasted higher horsepower than the American model due to lightness and less stringent Federalizing. Only 748 308 GTB QV models were produced, with one third being European models. The European 308 GTB QV and 308 GTS QV models are considered by many to be the most collectible 308 due to its subtle styling (deep front valance, racing mirrors, short lightweight bumpers) and speed as the fastest of all 308s produced.
The 288 GTO introduced in 1984 is considered as the first Ferrari Super-car. The 288 borrowed much of the styling from the European 308 GTB QV of the previous year, 1983: it is also powered by a similar debored 2.8-litre V8 (but with turbochargers), it retained the general bodywork lines with extended wheelarches, different side air vents, and bigger rear spoiler, longer (5 inch) wheelbase, and the central tubular space-frame chassis.

Technical data:
- engine: V8
- capacity: 3000 cc
- horsepower: 255 HP
- gearbox: 5+1
- top speed: 256 km/h