Vehicle Description
Chassis No. 19535
Engine No. 01758
Transmission No. 1780
To the delight of tifosi who remained unconvinced by the Bertone
styling of the 308 GT4 2+2, the Pininfarina-styled 308 GTB
introduced in 1975 shared more in common with its predecessor, the
vaunted Dino 246 GT. Its scalloped side intakes, twin circular rear
lights, and concave rear window recessed into buttressed sail
panels recalled the Dino, while its wedge profile was a clear
result of extensive testing in Pininfarina's wind tunnel. Less
apparent was the 308 GTB's fiberglass, or vetroresina construction,
hand-laid by the artisans at Carrozzeria Scaglietti, contributing
to a scant overall weight of 2,315 pounds. A more traditional
rolled-steel construction began in late 1976 for U.S.-market cars,
while changes to the "Tipo F106" engine meant that the early
Weber-carbureted, fiberglass 308s remain the most potent, and rare,
examples of the platform. Only 712 fiberglass-bodied 308 GTBs were
produced between 1975 and 1977, and a mere 100 were officially
imported new to the United States.
Identified by an indented line where the roof joins the windscreen
pillar, this early U.S.-market Ferrari 308 GTB Vetroresina was
completed in June of 1976, finished in Rosso Chiaro (20.3.90) over
Beige (VM 4208) Connolly leather seats with Nero inserts and
matching Nero (80) carpets. The Ferrari was imported by the
renowned Ferrari distributor Bill Harrah's Modern Classic Motors in
Reno, Nevada in September 1976. While little is known about the
early history of this 308, the car was under the care of a
Houston-based collector when it underwent a complete cosmetic and
mechanical restoration from 2015-2016. The marque experts at Motion
Products Inc. in Neenah, Wisconsin conducted the exhaustive
restoration, which exceeded $195,000. During the process, the
inoperative odometer was replaced with a correct 180 mile-per-hour
Veglia Borletti unit which now shows just over 15,800 miles at the
time of cataloging.
In the years since its completion, chassis number 19535 has been
exceptionally maintained by Ferrari of Houston and the current
owner's in-house Ferrari specialist. Most recently, in June 2024,
the car underwent a comprehensive service which included rebuilding
the brakes (rotors, pads, calipers), replacing the sway bar
bushings and ball joints, replacing the steering rack, resealing
the shift shaft and oil pan, new fuel hoses, and all new fluids. In
total, over $248,000 in restoration work and servicing has been
lavished on the 308 since March 2015.
Under previous ownership in 2018, the Ferrari was awarded Classiche
certification, confirming that the engine and transmission numbers
are recognized by Ferrari to match factory records. Riding on
classic Campagnolo five-spoke alloy wheels mounted with correct
Michelin XWX radial tires, this Vetroresina is factory correct in
numerous regards. Today, fiberglass 308s are extremely collectible
as the purest and most powerful examples of its breed, making
highly original examples like 19535 all the more desirable.
