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66 COOLEST CARS / ROLL-OUT
THE LEGENDS
MACHO DEFINED
FERRARI 308 GTS
WORDS BY JOEY BERNARDEZ/
Arguably one of the prettiest cars that Ferrari and Pininfarina
had ever produced. Made famous by countless TV
shows and movies in the late ’70s and ’80s. When
Hollywood wanted to portray wealth and style for a
character, this is the car that character would drive.
Perhaps its most iconic role was as the preferred mode
of transportation by the TV detective Magnum P.I.
Drawn by Leonardo Fioravanti (not the professional
surfer), who was also responsible for the iconic Ferrari
Daytona and the Boxer 365, this car first came out in 1977 as the targa-top
version of the enclosed coupe that was released in 1975.
The “308” in its name refers to the 3.0-liter V8 engine that sits in the
middle of the car, mounted sideways. The open cockpit configuration
afforded by the targa top gave it the nomenclature “Spyder” which is how
Ferrari refers to their open cars. While the “GT” means grand touring. Its
name literally means 3.0-liter, eight-cylinder, Grand Touring Spyder.
Unlike today’s supercars from Ferrari and its competitors, these early
308s have no computers nor any kind of electronic aids like ABS, traction
control, all-wheel drive, four-wheel steering, and power steering. No fuel
injection or variable valve-timing either. Driving is very raw and direct.
Prices have been appreciating with these late-’70s and early-’80s cars.
But unlike earlier models that are now worth far more than some new
Ferrari models, these early 308s are still some of the least costly ways to get
into Ferrari ownership.