[Boxer]

I recently ran across a 1979 308 GTB with an engine which has been modified by Michelotto. Bhp is 275 and the engine is dry sump. Claimed mileage is 34k. The suspension and brakes have also been uprated. The body and interior have not been modified. Asking price is OK and is not to far out of line with non-modified 308's of similar vintage.

What concerns should I have about this car ?

 

[Magnum6464]

Boxer,

I found some info on Michelotto, seemed he was working with Ferrari to modify engines/cars for racing and rally. I would ask if the engine was raced ? the rest of the 308 is probably stock but the engine was probably changed to a Michelotto one. I would verify serial #'s to check if the engine was the one that came with that car. IMHO, it would be really awsome to have a racing engine approved by Ferrari in my car. When doing some searching, I also found a 348, 360 and an F40 built/modified by Michelotto. If the BHP is 275, its probably at the rear wheels and that means 375+ on the engine...

http://www.qv500.com/ferrari308p5.php
http://ferraris-online.com/Articles/SCM_0208.html
http://www.supercars.net/garages/marcusmv3/133v2.html


Engine picture, does it look like that ?

http://www.barchetta.cc/english/All.Ferraris/Detail/18971.308.GTB.Michelotto.htm

Anyway, this is what I found, Good luck ! :lol:

 

[Boxer]

magnum6464, Wow, thanks for all the research and information. It is very helpful. I will let you know when I get more information on this particular 308 GTB. Cheers.

 

[Magnum6464]

No problem Boxer, I love to search for stuff, specially about a Ferrari !

I also learned alot myself about Michelotto. I wasn't aware Ferrari was into rally, I saw a cool pic of a 308 GTB with a front hood light bar for night driving and another pic of it being airborne....Pretty cool ! http://www.qv500.com/ferrari308p6.php

Let me know if your looking for anything else and I will do my best !

 

[Dr. Bob]

The 288 GTO was originally designed for group B rally racing, but the rallys were banned because of some serious accidents. Ferrari kept developing the car, and there was the 288 GTO.

 

[Magnum6464]

I had heard that the 288 GTO was built for racing but never knew why it didn't or what kind of racing it was for !

It a nice car from the front, I really like the 4 lights under the nose but looking at it from the side...I dont know something about the front spoiler on the side being straight and the rest of the car being round towards the inside, it just doesn't seem right. It reminds me of some of the cars on the road that people just put front spoilers but no side skirts !

The other thing that looks funny are the mirrors, they look like aftermarket mailbox flags...personally, I think it was a miss. kind of like the first year TR with one mirror half way up the pillar, and I have seen some with two mirrors half way up as well.

Looking at it from the front, its an awesome look and the vents in the rear side panels are a great touch as well. I guess I could get used to the unusual look of it but to each their own I guess...

 

[Dr. Bob]

The other thing that looks funny are the mirrors, they look like aftermarket mailbox flags...personally, I think it was a miss.

They were needed to look over the rear spoiler. If they would be lower you wouldn't have any rear vision.

 

[Magnum6464]

See, now it makes sense to me now :lol:

Thanks Dr. Bob !

 

[Dr. Bob]

most things on supercars have a certain goal, aspecially when it looks weird

 

[Boxer]

If the engine has been modified by Michelotto, would the servicing requirements change ?

 

[Dr. Bob]

I think it depends on the kind of driving it gets. The engine isn't different, only modified, so I guess everything is more precise and lighter. It can pump out more hp, so if you use the car normally you put less stress on the engine than normal. However, if you use it to the max for racing etc I think you need to service it more often because of the more delicate parts. but I can be completely wrong just a guess

 

[Dr. Bob]

Still looking for a car like this? I saw one for sale in Belgium, 54000 km, 28500 euros. Red/Black
It is advertised as a Michelotto, s/n 29419, but qv500.com does not list it as an original michelotto, but if you are interested it might be worth a call or mail. you can pm me for the address

 

[Boxer]

Dr Bob, I think we found the same car but after a bit more research I decided to pass on it. Right now finding a 550 is the main priority. Thanks for the help