subject: Design of Ferrari 308GTB/GTS [print this page] Design of Ferrari 308GTB/GTS Design of Ferrari 308GTB/GTS
Ferrari is the Italian sports car manufacturing company. It is well-known for its participation in the Formula-1 races. In the beginning, company was only manufacturing the sports cars for racing. Later, it began the series of sports cars for road use. Ferrari 308 is one such sports car manufactured by the company for road use. This car formed the lower end of the company's range.
Ferrari 308 was manufactured and sold between 1970s and 1980s. It replaced its predecessor model Dino 246 in 1975. It was first introduced to public in the Paris Motor Show in 1975. It was designed by Leonardo Fioravanti who is responsible for some of Ferrari's most celebrated shapes to date.
The 308 was available in two types viz. 308 GTB and 308 GTS. The GTBs and GTSs were the two seated cars with sweeping curves and aggressive lines. It has become the most popular and iconic Ferrari road car.
Ferrari 308 GTB/GTS Design:
The Ferrari 308 GTB/ GTS provided Pininfarina with the opportunity to loosen its design and styling muscle. Company provided the exact looks required for the sports car by redefining the public's collective impression of what a Ferrari sports car should look like. The external appearance of shape of 308 bears close resemblance to Pininfarina's Dino 246 GT.
Dino 246 GT was the ultimate expression of the curvaceous styling while the new 308 GTB implied far more at the future. The car had a slim bumper and a deep air dam. The design of the car is outstandingly beautiful and it has been the basis for exterior styling of every subsequent V8 engine Ferrari.
The design of 308 evolved with each new modification. The shape of the roof's leading edge was modified to integrate a small raised lip ahead to the detachable section to avert air from the cabin and reduce buffeting. The Ferrari GTS models had louvered panels over the rear quarter windows. The increased ventilation from the front and rear window served to improve cooling. The design of Ferrari 308 was so iconic and effective that it was left unchanged throughout the decade of production.
When the production of the Ferrari 308 GTB and Ferrari GTS began, the bodies were made of fiberglass, with the exception of aluminum compartment for luggage and steel rocker panels. The 712 cars were produced using the fiberglass before the Scaglietti shifted production to steel bodies.
The fiberglass Ferraris are highly priced due to their scarcity, rust resistance and lightness. They are identifiable by the tiny horizontal joint on the upper part of the windshield pillars. The Ferrari 308 GTS introduced in 1977, sported a removable vinyl covered fiber glass targa top that could be crammed behind seats.
Ferrari 308 became the most popular Ferrari cars soon after its introduction in the market. It began a new revolution in the history of the company. This series was the first to come with the complete steel body design; however some models of this series had fiber glass structures.
