Driving the 308 is like wearing a sharply cut suit. Your bum is lower than your feet for that real racing car attitude

The affordable and enjoyable sports cars of the late ’60s and early ’70s had become rather lacklustre by the end of the ’70s. Alfa had introduced the GTV, which only came good once the glorious V6 engine was fitted after 1980. BMW had killed its 2002 Turbo and American muscle cars were dead in the water, neutered by emission controls and safety concerns. Ferrari’s ungainly 308 Dino, introduced in 1973 and designed by Bertone, was an ugly duckling; and the benchmark sports car, the evergreen Porsche 911 first seen in 1964, had almost completely lost its way. Putting on weight and now wearing big bumpers, the US version of the 911 could only muster some 160bhp. Not good enough.

But in 1976 Ferrari launched its strikingly gorgeous, Pininfarina-designed 308GTB. With a three-litre V8 engine mounted amidships, this was a proper 250bhp sports car that reawakened the passion at Maranello. It’s interesting to note that this was the first V8 road car to wear the Ferrari badge from the off, unlike the preceding V6 and V8 Dinos.

The 308GTB was an instant hit. It just looked so damn fast and beautiful, every car enthusiast wanted one. Built by Scaglietti, the initial run of 712 examples were of glassfibre construction with, importantly, dry-sump lubrication and weighed a lot less then the previous Bertone 308. In fact the GTB weighed 1050kg, pretty much the same as the diminutive 246 Dino, so performance was always going to be crisp. The targa-topped GTS arrived in 1997.

As with most sports cars of this period, it is difficult to find a decent example that is indicative of the breed. Many European cars have been ‘driven hard and put away wet’, as our American cousins like to say. But this 1977 308GTB is about as good an example as you will find anywhere in the world. We went as far as Australia to drive it. Whilst visiting Rory Johnston’s impressive Classic Throttle Shop on the Pacific Highway in central Sydney we just could not ignore this immaculate GTB. Finished in white – a pleasant change from the usual ‘retail red’ – it looks perfect in the bright Australian sunshine.
 
Johnston has all the papers with the Ferrari and it was supplied new on May 23, 1977. Since then it has only covered 56,000km (33,500 miles) and has clearly been used sparingly and pampered as a car for high days and holidays.
 
In Australia, imported cars have always attracted high tax so they have usually been looked after by their well-heeled owners. And this GTB is no exception. The Bianco paintwork is perfect and it’s incredible to think that the smooth panels are glassfibre. The blue leather interior is original and unmarked, as are the carpets. A nice touch is factory-fitted air-conditioning and the only alteration from original spec is the slightly larger Ferrari alloys, which allow the fitment of more readily available Michelin tyres.

As with most Ferraris, the driving is a sensual automotive experience. This 308GTB really is one of the most beautiful sports cars of its time, making the rival offering from Stuttgart look rather lumpen. The door is opened by a dinky little catch and the leather bucket seat is best approached with a quick slump. Once you’re ensconced behind the traditional Ferrari steering wheel with its proud prancing horse logo, driving the 308 is like wearing a sharply cut and tightly tailored suit. Your bum is located lower than your feet for that real racing car attitude but the slim windscreen pillars and visible wings afford a good view outwards.

Fire up the transversally mounted 90° V8 and the double overhead cams on each bank begin tap dancing with the 32 valves as the four twin-choke Weber carburettors pump in the juice. All this mechanical activity creates a very busy and noisy rhythm. Allow the engine to warm through and things settle down – but this is a sports car and it wants to shout about it!

The clutch depresses smoothly but it is not Toyota-light. The ever-so-Ferrari chromed gearshift in its exposed metal gate is initially sticky and reluctant to move much as the gearbox oil is cold. But tickle second gear and then select first and it co-operates with early morning, pre-cappuccino Italian reluctance.
 
Some revs are required to get the 308 off the line but even from cold it is co-operative and willing. As with most classic cars, this Ferrari really wants to be heated through before it gets into the mood. Engine, gearbox, brakes and suspension all start to loosen up and smooth out as the Ferrari slips through the warm streets of Sydney. With everything up to temperature, it is time to give it some revs on a previously reconnoitred stretch of motorway. The Australian traffic police have absolute zero tolerance towards speeding and will fine you if you are over the very slow limits by just one kilometre per hour. A tad boring.