308 GTB Daily Driver ?
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Yes and no.
I would switch over the points ignition to electronic (I did it on my GTS and it cost me under $500) but properly maintained it would be a reliable and fun daily driver.
One of the problems I see would be the slow speed handling. Without having power steering the thing drives like a dump truck below 5 mph. It ain't designed for parallel parking. If you have to do a lot of low speed manuevering your arms will get tired. The clutch is heavy also so if you do a lot of stop and go driving your leg will tire. The car is really low so it is harder for you to see or be seen in traffic.
It's a highway and long country road car. It is not a city car. For city driving I think I'd rather have a Volkswagon or a Ford. Then I wouldn't worry about parking lot dings.
So if your driving is mostly rural or highway with convenient parking, then any 308 would be a good daily driver.
I would switch over the points ignition to electronic (I did it on my GTS and it cost me under $500) but properly maintained it would be a reliable and fun daily driver.
One of the problems I see would be the slow speed handling. Without having power steering the thing drives like a dump truck below 5 mph. It ain't designed for parallel parking. If you have to do a lot of low speed manuevering your arms will get tired. The clutch is heavy also so if you do a lot of stop and go driving your leg will tire. The car is really low so it is harder for you to see or be seen in traffic.
It's a highway and long country road car. It is not a city car. For city driving I think I'd rather have a Volkswagon or a Ford. Then I wouldn't worry about parking lot dings.
So if your driving is mostly rural or highway with convenient parking, then any 308 would be a good daily driver.
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It would mostly be used for highway driving but would need to be able to handle the occassional horrible traffic jam. Parking is not a problem.
I love the sound of the carbs but would this be doing a disservice to the car ?
Does anyone use a 308 as a daily driver ?
I love the sound of the carbs but would this be doing a disservice to the car ?
Does anyone use a 308 as a daily driver ?
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No, the carbs will be fine. Sounds like your driving would be perfect for a 308 driven daily.
But you will want to change over the ignition, mark my words on that one. The points are great when they work, but when they don't work they are a pain in the butt!!
But you will want to change over the ignition, mark my words on that one. The points are great when they work, but when they don't work they are a pain in the butt!!
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Boxer said:
Sure do, rain or shine and no problems with the Euro 1985 GTS QV. Never has a problem with points either. The main problem is the old crappy OEM fuse blocks, though they can relatively easily be substituted with a custom modern equiv (see FerrariChat.com for detailed info). If you drive a lot at night, upgrading the headlights would also be a good choice and easily done.
While not a Ferrari expert I have owned a '76 308 GTB Fiberglass model that did not have a dry sump..and now own a 1985 308 GTSi...and I can honestly say that while I would consider the '85 a daily driver candidate I would never have wanted to use my '76 that way. If this would be your only car please look at an 84 or 85 GTS...A little more up front cost but way more reliable...and you can take the top off...this is just my humble opinion having had the carbs go wacky on me and the person I sold it to as well...BTW he has sold it because even he could not get it to be 'reliable enough' for him and he has had several Ferraris including his beloved 246...
R
R
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rfly2dive, Thanks for the insights. Any idea what was causing the carbs to go off ?
I have heard many stories about them being tempermental but I have never had problems with them on the Boxer. I have heard that the 308 QV is much easier to live with, but I do love the sound of the weber carbs....
I have heard many stories about them being tempermental but I have never had problems with them on the Boxer. I have heard that the 308 QV is much easier to live with, but I do love the sound of the weber carbs....
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The gentleman who takes care of the Boxer for me has always stated that if they are properly set up they should stay that way for a long time and not give you any problems. Key statement is "properly set up". From what I understand it is a real art.
All I can say about the carbs on my 308 is that I had 2 Ferrari mechanics work on them and initially they would be fine and then they would get rougher over time...I sold the car to a gentleman in Stuart Fl. at a bargain price. He already had a Dino and ended up selling my car in less than a year and a half because he couldn't 'keep those darn carbs in sync.'
So I have no real understanding as to why this particular vehicle had this quirk but when it ran well it was a blast to drive...
My 1985 QV just is more consistent and reliable....
So I have no real understanding as to why this particular vehicle had this quirk but when it ran well it was a blast to drive...
My 1985 QV just is more consistent and reliable....
I agree total with Pete, but I like to ad the poor sight of the side mirrors,
especially when there is heavy traffic, its really a pain.
And about the points, I used before my Dino for 8 years long as a daily driver to do my work, sometimes 500 miles a day, and never any problem
I only change my oil after 3000 miles. And the Carb. never any problem.
And now I own a 308 GTB 1977 drysump with points and Carb. no problems at all. And you know what, If you start the engine and you hear the sounds of the Carb's you will forget everything and you will have already a big smile on your face for the whole day and you still have to drive a way.Best regards 308ROB
especially when there is heavy traffic, its really a pain.
And about the points, I used before my Dino for 8 years long as a daily driver to do my work, sometimes 500 miles a day, and never any problem
I only change my oil after 3000 miles. And the Carb. never any problem.
And now I own a 308 GTB 1977 drysump with points and Carb. no problems at all. And you know what, If you start the engine and you hear the sounds of the Carb's you will forget everything and you will have already a big smile on your face for the whole day and you still have to drive a way.Best regards 308ROB
Hi Boxer,
It's not that hard to change the points. if you can hold a screwdriver and a wrens, I think thats already the main part.
In my car there is only one distributor with two sets of points, others have two distributors and in each one is one set of contact points, think that's even more easy. In my case I alway's remove the Whole distibuter from the car and put it on the workbench and put the contact points in.308ROB
It's not that hard to change the points. if you can hold a screwdriver and a wrens, I think thats already the main part.
In my car there is only one distributor with two sets of points, others have two distributors and in each one is one set of contact points, think that's even more easy. In my case I alway's remove the Whole distibuter from the car and put it on the workbench and put the contact points in.308ROB
If this is your first time in putting the contact points in to the distributer,
It's take some more time let say half a day.Remember do it in a quit way because you need a good concentration.The points you can buy them from your Ferrari dealer. ( thats where I buy them )Rob
It's take some more time let say half a day.Remember do it in a quit way because you need a good concentration.The points you can buy them from your Ferrari dealer. ( thats where I buy them )Rob
308 Daily Driver
Hi All
I have used a '76 308 GTB (grp) as a daily driver for over a year and 20000km with no problems. Car has always been maintained properly and has never failed to proceed. In fact the car is less happy now that it is being used on a weekly as opposed to a daily basis. In my view this rubbishes the notion that classic (ie carb) 308's are less reliable that the later cars. In fact my '89 328 has given more hassles - probably because it sees less use... Drive them with due respect for their age and they will serve you well!!!
Ken
Hi All
I have used a '76 308 GTB (grp) as a daily driver for over a year and 20000km with no problems. Car has always been maintained properly and has never failed to proceed. In fact the car is less happy now that it is being used on a weekly as opposed to a daily basis. In my view this rubbishes the notion that classic (ie carb) 308's are less reliable that the later cars. In fact my '89 328 has given more hassles - probably because it sees less use... Drive them with due respect for their age and they will serve you well!!!
Ken
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Completely agree. The only time I have had problems with any Ferrari is when I left it sitting to long.
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