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Took the 308 GTB out for a long drive this morning. The weather was perfect for driving, mid 60's, and nothing but blue sky. This would be the first long drive in almost 4 months and the 1st after the major service. One turn of the key and the Glass Horse fired right up. As the low fuel light was bright red. off we went to the station for a tank of Pete's stuff. 18 gallons later, we were ready to head to the highway for a gentle warm up run. All the gauges started moving up and to the right exactly as they should. Once everything was warmed up, it was off at the next exit and up into the hills for a short jaunt before heading back down to the coast to complete the circuit.
As soon was we started heading up, memories of why I am fond of this Ferrari came immediately back. It is a truly involving car to drive. While the steering lightens up once you get going, it still requires 2 firm hands and concentration to keep it on the right line. As the road curves back and forth while rolling up and down, you constantly need to clang the stick through the metal gate between 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Keep the engine above 3500 rpms and it has plenty of teeth, below and it just gums at the road until the revs build back up. The way in which the exhaust starts screaming at 4000 rpms just serves to reinforce the sensation of power delivery. I used to drive the same route with the 512 BB but it is a very different experience. With the big Flat 12, if you get a bit lazy, you can just slot it into 3rd and use your right foot with the huge reserves of torque to power you through all the twisty stuff. In a 308, you got to work hard to get it right. Fun.
With very few people out, the pace was quick and with the windows down, I could hear 8 cylinder sound track bouncing between the hills. Even the mountain bikers that I passed smiled and waved. Once through the hills it was a fast run down the coast and back home. We did a cool down lap around the block before heading in. As it was the 1st hard run, I did check the oil and the level was spot on. Happy owner, happy car.
As soon was we started heading up, memories of why I am fond of this Ferrari came immediately back. It is a truly involving car to drive. While the steering lightens up once you get going, it still requires 2 firm hands and concentration to keep it on the right line. As the road curves back and forth while rolling up and down, you constantly need to clang the stick through the metal gate between 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Keep the engine above 3500 rpms and it has plenty of teeth, below and it just gums at the road until the revs build back up. The way in which the exhaust starts screaming at 4000 rpms just serves to reinforce the sensation of power delivery. I used to drive the same route with the 512 BB but it is a very different experience. With the big Flat 12, if you get a bit lazy, you can just slot it into 3rd and use your right foot with the huge reserves of torque to power you through all the twisty stuff. In a 308, you got to work hard to get it right. Fun.
With very few people out, the pace was quick and with the windows down, I could hear 8 cylinder sound track bouncing between the hills. Even the mountain bikers that I passed smiled and waved. Once through the hills it was a fast run down the coast and back home. We did a cool down lap around the block before heading in. As it was the 1st hard run, I did check the oil and the level was spot on. Happy owner, happy car.
