The Ferrari 308 GTS is a TV and Movie Star, and an Icon that Helped Ferrari Go Mainstream
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- Опубліковано 6 лют 2025
- This was the Ferrari of my youth - moreso than the Daytona or BB512, and all because of its presence in popular culture. Like the 560SL for Mercedes-Benz, ask anyone of a certain age to think of a Ferrari, and this is the one they will picture. For a while in the 1980s, it was everywhere. For the most part, it's because of the bright red 308 GTS from Magnum P.I., being shuttled around Hawaii by Tom Selleck - and it was almost a Porsche!
Enzo Ferrari did not really want to make V6 and V8 Ferraris - to him, they should all have 12 cylinders. But Ferrari needed an entry-level car that a modestly wealthy person could afford, and one that could be produced in significant quantities. At first, this was the Dino, and then the 308.
Styled by Pininfarina, the lines of this car are classically Italian, and have retained their beauty to this day. Sumptuous curves and subtle lines come together in a wedge shape that just works perfectly - then and now. It's frankly difficult for me to review this car without being awed by the fact that I'm actually getting to play with one.
At first, the driving seemed unusually high effort. The steering is non-assisted, the clutch is stiff, and one has to put some muscle in to move it around a parking lot. But get it out on the road, and it all comes together - the steering feel is nothing short of awesome, the engine sounds aren't quite beautiful, but are very sufficient, and the gated shifter with the dog-leg pattern is something from a 50s race car. By the time I was finished with the car, I absolutely loved it - on a more personal level than I was able to as a kid.
Long story short, this car is all Ferrari, and an absolute hoot to drive. I didn't even mind the attention, of which it got plenty.
Full review and test drive by Bill of Curious Cars. Vehicle is for sale at Autohaus of Naples, on the web at www.AutohausNaples.com, or at (239) 263-8500.
I bought a 308 GTB when I was 25, at 55 I still have it. I still love it.
Good move
Do you enjoy the hell out of it?
What color?
Bill, you have some of the most informative, entertaining, fun videos to watch. Your knowledge, wit, humor, phobias are totally entertaining. I am hopelessly addicted to your videos. They are a highlight of our week! Seriously! You could easily have a car show on radio or tv.
Thank you. I had a 308 in 78. Went from a Vette 72 with a 454 to a Dino 246GTS to my 308. What a world. Spent my entire inheritance, but I would do it again to drive that 308 across the moon lighted Nevada Desert.
You are so lucky to fulfill the dreams of your youth. 308’s engine sounded like a Symphony. We all love your videos keep up the great work
This was my childhood favorite car from the 1980's. Magnum was also one of my favorite shows (Do not watch the remake its terrible) Your car reviews are fantastic and the comedy is top notch. It has me laughing like a madman. Keep it up.
the remake is terrible-but the car is fantistico
I grew up watching the Rockford files with my old man when I did not ha e control of the television. Later on , it was Magnum and Miami Vice through the adolescent years. Just a great time to grow up.
Rockford was the man!
My wife and I were wondering when your latest video was going to drop. Glad to have you back and irascible about the world as ever. Roll the Magnum PI theme!
This car you can just stare at for hours And get mesmerized by all of its beautiful lines. Today’s super car just got too big -I like the compact size of that vintage 308. I love your candid review of the car, along with some design commentary. Like you said, you’re driving 308 that’s all that matters.
You crack me up…you’re talking about Ferrari and somehow you work a photo of Hitler in.
benito mussolini was just as bad, if not, WORSE!
@@Paperbag-om6mh just hung with the wrong crowd. Lol
@@Paperbag-om6mh there’s no way he was worse than Adolf.
Hitler’s love of Ferrari’s is well documented. Bastard loved his exotic cars.
Somebody has to do it. 😂
My uncle purchased that car around 1985 and was always worried someone would purposely scratch or ding it. My cousin would actually take the car joy riding while he was in Switzerland and against his demand. A 18 wheeler sped through a red light and my cousin crashed into it totaling the car. He hid from my uncle at his friends house for a week. It wasn’t his fault for the accident and the insurance paid for the car. Later he said his 1976 Formula Firebird gave him more happiness. After that he purchased Mercedes sedans and said goodbye to those exotic cars.
Thank you Damon and all for the professional way in which you present my car. It looks outstanding. I love this video; It makes me very proud. I will miss that whine. Sad to see it go after 20+ years, but as for getting in and especially out, I'm not as spry as I once was.
Anthony, I purchased this car. Would love to talk to you sometime.
Each new video I feel like I am meeting a longtime friend again .
This car is the greatest icon of the 80's, A timeless design, if I could only have one, this is it.
I think testarossa is the iconic 80s car dont get me wrong the 308 is a lovely car
A guy running a pyramid scheme in my church rolled up one Sunday in 1984 in one of these. I was 14 and my jaw smacked the concrete. A year or so later he disappeared; my parents explained what a "pyramid scheme" was to me and my Dad said he'd gotten out early but a lot of people were looking for that guy to sue him. I never forgot the Ferrari. A few years later he showed up at our house to pick up some clothes my Mom had put aside for his family----he was driving a rusted out 1976 Corolla...
Absolutely amazing video! I loved this car as a kid myself! I was also and remain till this day a #tomselleck fan! He drove a Cadillac Eldorado convertible coupe as Lance the do no wrong private investigator antithesis to Jim Rockford on the Rockford Files tv show. He characters seem to favor the coupe'! Lol! I digress. I believe he gifted one of these to all his cast mates on Magnum PI. I was soo jealous! I finally got to drive one a few years ago at a car dealership just outside of Philadelphia. (Algar Ferrari) I still want one to this very day and it will happen. Thanks again for the trip down memory lane as well. It was most appreciated by me.
Did you grow a stache for this one?
No need to grow. The Stache comes standard.
@@slumpbuster27 my kinda car.
Back in the late 80s my uncle had a dealership that used to sell mostly 3 to 5yo Mercedes but, he got occasional Porsches and a very occasional Ferrari.
Back then, I was a thin, good looking young woman. Now, I had grown up with Magnum PI and I loved these cars every bit as much as the guys did. In fact, I am humming the theme song to myself as I type this. Oops, wait, that's the Dallas theme. Okay, now I got Magnum.
To make a long story short, my uncle let me drive it for a half hour or so before picking up lunch. It was a glorious drive but, afterwards, I was sitting there eating lunch with the front office staff and I noticed I had indeed grown a stash myself.
@@shananagans5 a small price to pay, and the cost of doing business
I'd wager Bill has an excellent stache.
I was i Italy back in 84 and we visited the Ferrari factory in Maranello, and saw the 84 testa rossa with that black shrink wrap, and the new 1984 Ferrari GTO without any camoflage wrap and was the most beautiful car i ever seen, and was based on the 308gts and i've been a Ferrari nut since i was a young kid and the 308 always looked so classy.Love yr videos so informative.
I love these 308s. I didn't come from wealth, but growing up my dad had C3 Vettes, and my aunt had an AW11 MR2. So, of course I love pop up headlights! And, I really loved the manual steering and fun factor of the MR2.
Thank God that Bill is back! I was getting worried that those evil birds finally got him.
Wasn't that the car Christi Brinkley was driving in National lampoon's Vacation also lol. Still a Iconic beautiful ride 💯🚘👍
it is mentioned with a photo @4:31
Wheeler Dealers fixed up a green Dino which was okay to watch. Very appreciative of your videos. Many thanks.
Man you have a great job sometimes. What a beautiful and classic Italian exotic. Great review.
Fun fact, Tom Selleck bought his co-stars all 928 Porches so it did make a comeback, I bought exactly that one though a 77 carbureted euro spec, and still every time I look at it I can't believe it's mine after 15 years, still the prettiest Ferrari
Bill you’re hilarious! I love watching your videos, love the cars. If I’m feeling shitty in the morning, all I have to do is get on UA-cam and listen to you talk about these fabulous cars.
“Higgins, did you steam opened my mail?!?!”
Awesome. One of the few movies I actually own is Cannonball Run and it still holds up today. I had the Magnum PI T-shirt when I was a kid with the 308 on it 😀
Greatest car of my childhood. Magnum PI was also my favorite show at that time.
I ended up being one of many kids wearing Hawaiian shirts all the way to 10th grade.
Guess that gives away my age...
Really good video as always Bill. The tutorials you give on numerous cars are invluable.
Terrible inhuman humidity conditions, dangerous birds and deers in Naples uninhabitable danger zone and very good car reviews, yes, this must be YOUR YT channel!
Late 80s sci-fi thriller The Hidden has a great car chase scene in the beginning with a black 308 GTS. Then later they show a Mondial and a Porsche 928. The movie is entertaining.
288 GTO still my favorite F. this is so close.... Great Upload !!
He said,"Money'd elite" but it sounded like "money delete". And I thought to myself,"Yeah. Ferrari's do that don't they?"
Did I also the "gays of Enzo"? 12:23 mark
Sammy Hagar featured his black 308 in the video for I Can’t Drive 55. He went with the black model because the waiting list for the red version was months long thanks to Magnum PI.
I believe is was a BB, not a 308
@@liveox9 Could be. I just remember Kurt Loder explaining on MTV how the waiting list for red Ferraris was very long because of that show.
One quirk (apologies to Doug) of the 308/328 is that second gear is not meant to be engaged before 10 miles of driving or thirty minutes or so. This is actually in the owners manual! That’s probably why your 1-2 shifts were so difficult. Once properly warmed up, the 1-2 and 3-2 shifts are much easier and smoother. Love the videos!
How is it possible that you only have 100k subscribers??? You’re a comedy genius.
Halfway through -- and you're on a roll -- fascinating, funny, insightful -- a classic Bill review. I hope you know how much we love what you do. Each one of your videos is a treasure. Thanks!
What a cool car! Thanks for the great ride, especially towards the end of the video, I love to hear that engine rev!
Love this video! Brought back memories of my childhood. Graduating high school in 1979 this was one of the exotics that all of my friends drooled over! Always wanted one of these but were always concerned about maintenance. Fast for its time and slow for today. Who cares! It’s a Ferrari with timeless style!
I drove one in the very late '80's. Certainly not the fastest car I've driven but definitely one of the most fun.
Surely has to be in the all-time top 10 of sexiest cars. Who back then though would have predicted that within a few decades a cheap family car would match or surpass it in acceleration and top speed...
Grew up seeing this car in Magnum P.I. to me that is a Ferrari! That style never gets old. I would have one in a heartbeat
Dang I could drive the hell out of this and never get bored. As a matter of fact I could watch you drive the hell out of it and never get bored. Great vid great car!
My # 1 favorite Ferrari of all time! Brings back great memories as a kid growing up!
Was expecting Magnum to be jumping into that car with Zues and Appallo on his heels !
Used to laugh at how Tom Sellecks head stuck out the top lol
Not good in a roll over situation
Thanks again for another awesome video Bill! This was also my dream car when I was in high school and Magnum P.I. came out. Everyone wanted to be a Tom Selleck type of dude and drive one of these and have a 9mm. The good old days before the Snowflake Gen! 🤣
I love how you properly rip each car at the end, the reward portion of the human brain thanks you.
Love the way you described the humidity!
Good Sir, an awesome dream car indeed and a great fun video, 45 plus minutes well spent so, thank you very much. Quite a 'revvy' sound for a V8, a bit of Italian 'VTEC Yo'.
My favorite Ferrari! I need a 308 GTS! I rented a 328 GTS back in 2002. I loved the flat crank V8 sound. Happy Motoring!
Thank you Bill! Thank you for sharing your love for the automobile. You add the history and personality to every vehicle you review. This 308GTS is beautiful!
I have a 78 gts and every time I drive it I’m exhausted. Because the car just wants to go!
If I ever get pulled over I’ll just have to tell him “you can’t drive it slow.....it’s a Ferrari!
No, you tell the law that you "can't drive 55". lol
As Jay Leno says when he drives Italian exotics, it's just that you can't treat an Italian exotic right without speeding 😉
Bill, thanks for a great review. Lots of dreams about that car in my youth as well. Thanks for giving the Fiam air horns a toot....so classic Ferrari of the time.
Your videos are a welcome treat. Thank you.
To me it is one of the most beautiful cars ever made ! It would be a dream for me to drive one.
The driving segment is bliss even through the screen
As a teenager I liked the 68 Chargers and a 59 black Cadillac I saw every day walking to school. Years later when I was driving I saw the very same 68 Charger on someone’s front lawn after it jumped the ditch. That was in the mid 70’s. And the 69 orange Charger with the giant wing
Cars like these are like really beautiful women. Great for a weekend but longer than that, the maintenance kills you.
Not really if you do your own work. I do.
@@ODucks55 I don't do my own dental work either.
What a thoroughly awesome review, Bill! WOW. I had at least half a bottle of this heavenly Cali Chardonnay whilst viewing it, man. Oh boy-Sister Helen Robert (the principal of St. Augustine's in New City, NY) would greatly approve. I hope ;). Iconic and soooooo lust-worthy.
I’m glad you’re Team kept the OG windshield wipers not the new ones. Nice attention to detail. 🏎
Literally did a spit take at the "599 Carly Fiorina" lmao
I noticed that just before I hit the like button that there were 308 likes!
This made me happy. Thanks bill. Takes me back to the greatest time ever.
Drove a 82 and 84 in the early 2000s when i was 20 & 22. I thought wow this sucks. Had no appreciation, much like the delorean. They are hard to drive, rarely start without issues, terrible at stopping, and uncomfortable. But... they do look good.
0:11 wow...there's no way the Florida Tourist Board will use that lol.
One of the most beautiful Karrs ever made!! Thanks Bill.
Bill, you almost like Magnum PI living at Robin Masters from the old TV show. The place looks almost the same. Love the driving gloves !!! Just like my friends father who ironically was a dentist and had a Ferrari.
Jeez I love your weather information. Love from Tottenham London England
I’m young this is the Ferrari!
Awesome video, loved the end. That's a great car 🚨
I love that car. I've driven one once. I could just have enjoyed listening to the engine and gear shifts with no commentary on this one. Although the commentary was great!
Im sharing Bills videos to friends. Entertaining stuff!!!
Another great review by Bill
Question
Didn’t this car inspire GM to make the Pontiac Fiero (aka the poor man’s Ferrari)?
Pontiac dealers sold the factory option "Mera", a conversion of the V6 powered Fiero GT to look like the 308.
The Fiat X1/9 was the prototype of the 1980's mid engine sports car. That said, as I recall, early 308's had the engine mounted transverse. Later iterations of the car had the engine mounted longitudinally. But you can tell by the enormous size of the Fiero engine bay that some GM engineers had grander plans 😀 (otherwise, some of the insane V8 engine swaps that people do to these cars wouldn't be possible!)
@@brentboswell1294 the fiero was a good idea, too bad gm killed it off as it was cheaper than the new c4 corvette.i first read about the fiero in road and track and had a lot of illustrations and cutway of the design.
@@giorgiocisilino4874 I owned an '88 Fiero in college (the one and only year of the Lotus suspension). I had plans to do a Quad 4 swap on it after college ( it was a 4 cylinder car). Unfortunately, I was rear-ended by a guy driving a Crown Victoria one morning on my way to work my senior year...😥
When you commented on an orthodontist driving one with the leather gloves and moccasins I LMAO, you're a talented reviewer 👍🏽
I think this car inspired much of the (then new) '84 Corvette's styling. In fact, probably the dramatically improved 3rd generation Camaro & Firebird that preceded it.
A doctor colleague owned a 308 that never had a working reverse. He would have it repaired, and it would break again in no time. I can't tell you how many times I had to push the 308.
Ferrari 308GTS = Magnum P.I. Also, loved the Rush quote at the beginning. "Young skulls full of mush." Miss him.
I come here for the personal opinions on weather, stero types and swearing all the time.
This car is so fast it goes 10mph standing still. According to the speedometer, anyway.
Italian electronics and mechanicals?? If you complain about maintenance costs you shouldn't be allowed to own it.
I know this video is old, but I just seen it today 12/29/22. I like to research where you are coming from, and other UA-camr's based on the road signs & landmarks. I found the house you pulled out of. For me it's fun. When I find it, I say to my self, ( Gots Ya ! ) I'll just say it's at the end of the street by the canal.
the short bumpers are a thousand times better looking
“A skull full of mush”. Hmm, who is it that used to say that? Lol. Love your channel.
There was also a Corvair Spyder.
Great review of an icon. I always wondered how Selleck was able to fit into this car on Magnum.
always loved the 308 gts quattrovolvole model and even though im 6'3 i fit in one, too bad that car was sold or would of traded my 89 c4 convertible plus cash for it,as these cars are sexy.
Did away with the padding of the driver's seat so he could sit lower.
I remember this car doing a burnout in the dirt because it didn't have enough power to do one on the pavement. Still a really cool looking car and it sounds cool too
Yeah now ya gotta tell us about Mary Ann if Peter is out sleezin around lmfao !!!!!!
I almost bough one in 1984 it was black on black with red piping on the seats it had 23k on it I was afrade the cops would pull a 21 year old kid over every 25 min and the money . Looking back I should have bought it .
You should’ve. I’m 25 and I wish I could get my dream car
Bill, you are hilarious, don't change a thing!
Totally right about what Magnum PI did for this car. Loved that show. When you said RIP Tawny Kitaen, I hadn't heard she passed...wow. No details on the cause of death on Wiki.. Still, her on the Jaguars is burned into all of our collective brains.
The official cause of death is now listed as heart disease (dilated cardiomyopathy) no doubt brought on by, or made worse by all the drug use, legal and otherwise.
Good Evening! I'm enjoying this...the idea of Bill bearing gifts for his co-workers, radioactive gifts, that is!
You're complaining about the starter, and I'm hearing it, and at the same time, Yves Montand in the movie Grand Prix as Jean-Pierre Sarti, trying to restart his race car at Monza, the pit crew rapidly approaching, and he's yelling at them, "No! Go away, you will disqualify me!" Seriously, it was about the same starter sound, if not as distinctive as the sound of a '60s or '70s Mopar starter.
Here's how to put Ferrari prices back in the day in perspective. In 1973, according to Edmund's mid year price guide, a Beetle or a Corolla had a base price of under two grand. A Fiat 128 was just over two grand before options. That year, my grandparents spent about 3,800 dollars on a Chevelle Malibu that had a 350 2 barrel but was otherwise pretty basic. That money also was about what a bottom of the line Citroen DS cost, or the Audi 100 base model that was my first car, or a BMW 2002. A BMW 3.0 CS cost $8953 before options or delivery charges, more than the $6516 figure that would have bought the Buick Riviera that Motor Trend tested in June pf that year. For the price of two Rivieras so configured and a bit more, you'd get the most basic of Ferrari Dino 246 GTs, a coupe, at $13900. The Daytona was listed at $23,940. That wasn't quite Rolls-Royce money, as the Silver Shadow was a mere $25,200 at the time.
The price of that Daytona, adjusted for inflation, comes to just under 149K. That won't buy you a new Ferrari any longer. The closest you'll get out of what is available right now is a 2010 California that somehow has only 840 miles. That's only $147.900.
Here we go meeting our heroes again, and that engine makes such a joyous noise...
Could you please turn on the *automatic closed captions* like you have on your other videos?
It's *_so_* helpful for many of us, even those who aren't hearing impaired (for instance, too much background noise to turn the volume up enough, etcetera).
Thank you so much.
Very good review on this 308. I too grew up with it in its infancy. You always crack me the hell up. I too sigh at myself sometimes. You must of been driving in "Mexico" when you hit 100 mph. Drive it like you stole it I always say. LOL
Untouchable for style. One of my dreams since 1979.
Beautiful car, but like all 70's, 80's and 90's Ferraris; an absolute nightmare to maintain!!
Finally Bill sold this car at Southcoast Classic auction for 71000 $ 👍
Magnum P.I. That car was the dogs bollox in the early eighties .. Greeting’s from Ireland
Bill driving that thing around will definitely score a guy some serious gash!!!!
Great review Bill and info. Love your humour, the gloves!!
...yess the gloves, the cross handed redline gear changes, the "get out of the way i've been waiting since 1981 to drive this thing" traffic manoeuvres, great stuff.
Back in the late '70's a friend had a '76 308GTS and getting the opportunity to drive was always the highlight of life.
Not the most powerful car on the road, but when we'd take it up and down mountain roads, it felt like we were on rails! A lifetime of memories in that little car!
Awesome review, love the 308.