One to Buy: 2 owner Avorio / Rosso 1977 Ferrari 308 GTB 'Vetroresina'
16 months after production of the much-loved Dino 246 GT and GTS had come to an end, Ferrari launched a replacement for their two-seat junior model.
Unlike the Bertone-bodied 308 GT4 2+2, the sensational new 308 GTB unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in September 1975 wore an elegant Pininfarina-styled shell that was much better received than the angular GT4 which provided most of the mechanical underpinnings for this latest offering.
However, the 308 GTB did not arrive without a degree of controversy as, to save weight, Ferrari elected to clad their latest machine with a predominantly fibreglass body as opposed to steel or aluminium.
Production of the fibreglass 308 GTB (retrospectively dubbed ‘Vetroresina’) continued until June 1977, at which point Ferrari switched exclusively to the steel shell which had been introduced for US-bound 308s since late 1976. Soon afterwards, a targa-topped GTS variant was introduced to sell alongside.
Ferrari constructed just 712 examples of the fibreglass-bodied 308 GTB between 1975 and ‘77 and today, largely as a consequence of their lighter specification, these Vetroresina models are widely considered to be the most sought after iteration of the revered 308 / 328 line.
Although most 308s were configured in Ferrari’s trademark shade of Rosso Corsa, a quite possibly uniquely specified example is currently on offer at the Springbok Sportwagen showroom in Isernhagen, Germany.
Chassis 19609 was optioned in the stunning colour scheme of Avorio Safari with Rosso upholstery and has been in the possession of just two private owners from new. Purchased by Springbok in 2013, the car has since been subject to an exacting restoration and is today presented in superb condition complete with its original book pack, original German registration document and Ferrari Classiche certification.
Reprinted below is Springbok Sportwagen’s description:
Year: 02/1977
Colour: Avorio Safari
Interior: Rosso
Price: POA
German delivery
Two owners
Completely restored for over EUR 100.000
Introduced in 1975, the Ferrari 308 GTB, designed by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti, featured a modern design initially rendered in fiberglass - or "Vetroresina" in Italy. It was the first production Ferrari to be built with a body made of the lightweight composite material.
While the 308 and its various iterations would prove highly successful, Ferrari moved away from fiberglass construction to the more familiar steel panels after a limited number of cars were completed. All together as few as 712 308 "Vetroresina" have been built.
The early "Vetroresina" cars were substantially lighter than the metal-made 308s that followed: Weighing in at only 1,050 kilograms, the fiberglass car tipped the scales at approximately 150 kilograms less than their steel-bodied successors, allowing the drivers to take full advantage of the 308 transverse mid-mounted 2.9-litre V-8 for optimal handling.
This is a breathtaking, two owner, German-delivered Ferrari 308 GTB Vetroresina in the extremely rare color combination avorio safari with leather interior rosso.
The 308 GTB was delivered to the first owner in 1977 by the former Ferrari dealer Auto-Becker in Dusseldorf and was kept by him until 1988. It was with its second and last owner from 1988 to 2013.
We purchased the vehicle from the second owner in 2013 and have since had it completely restored. Invoices for the restoration amount to well over €100,000 are available.
The 308 GTB is documented with the first German vehicle registration document from 1977 and has a comprehensive history including various old along with current invoices and receipts. The Ferrari document pouch including service manual and original service booklet are available as are the spare wheel and tool kit.
A Ferrari Classiche Certificate (Certificato di Autenticitá) is available for our Ferrari 308 GTB Vetroresina!
