[Boxer]

Suggest you read the Buyers Guides: http://www.ferrarilife.com/library/guides.php

and get a copy of Keith Bluemel's book Original Ferrari V8.

 

[Boxer]

In terms of buying either a 208 Turbo or a later GTB/GTS, suggest you reconsider. The 2 liter cars have less power and more problems. You are much better off with any of the 3 liter variants.

 

[Boxer]

Actually, the 208 turbo made the same amount of power, but at much higher peak rpm, 8500 IIRC. IOW, you have to rev the snot out of it. But thats not a bad thing with a Ferrari, is it?.

I would also imagine a cost difference in registration? Wouldnt a 2 liter be less expensive to put on the road in Europe?

Its all apples and oranges. If a car is well sorted they arent much trouble. If not, then the more complex car is going to have more complex issues.

I think they made a 208 NA, that would probably not be much fun. The problem is Ferrari used the same crank as the 3 liter, so its a long stoke for such smalll bores.

The 328 uses sheet metal of the same proportions, but softer edges. Some love it, some hate it. Along with the nose and interior its really a different car.

Registration cost will really depend on the country. Would not make any difference in the UK.

They did make both a turbo and non-turbo version on the 208. The non-turbo is just plain slow.

There are a few of the 2 liter turbos in the UK. Advice I got from a couple of experienced Ferrari mechanics was to steer well clear of them.

 

[Boxer]

If you decked the block, de-stroked the crank and ran shorter rods, getting it closer to a square bore 2 liter, it would be a different animal , with peak power closer to 10K, if not above. But would likely be impossible to drive within any civilized area.

The most powerful NA 308 were the early carbed cars, with 255 HP in Euro tune and a taller gearbox, they can achieve speeds to 160 mph +. The 328 makes more power, but is heavier and more complex, and styling so different it make's it a different car.

I would compare the cars along the same evolutionary track as the Datsun Z cars. Early 308 = 240Z, late 308 2 and 4 valves = 260Z, 328 = 280Z.

Buy what you like, they are all Ferrari's and are all fun to own.

Having owned an early Glass carb 308 and driven other 308/328 models, the early car definitely feels lighter and quicker.

 

[Boxer]

IMHO, would have to be a Carb 308. Of the carbs, the early Fiberglass 308s are the most desireable followed by a steel GTB and then a steel GTS.

 

[Boxer]

I would buy a fiberglass if I were looking for a car to not drive, just watch it appreciate. Slowly.

I would buy a steel car if I wanted to drive it. There really isnt any weight penalty, its all hype. On a early US car, glass or steel, they all need to go on a diet. Yank off the 100 pounds of bumpers, the 40 pounds of air injection crap, the 130 pound muffler, and the 50 pounds of insulation out of the trunk, and replace it with light glass bumpers and a Tubi and rejet the carbs (you'll have to), it will be like shoving a big dead guy out of the car to the curb. And dont forget the 8 pounds of wire mesh and insulation they choked the snorkel of the aircleaner with.

Or just find a European Glass 308 and not have to worry about yanking all the US DOT stuff off.