Ferrari 308 GTB GTB Quattrovalvole
The Ferrari 308 GTB is the car that defined Ferrari for a generation. Thanks to its starring role in Magnum P.I. — Tom Selleck's 308 GTS sliding through the Hawaiian sunshine every week for eight seasons — the 308 became the most recognized Ferrari in the world and the poster car for millions of 1980s kids.
Designed by Pininfarina's Leonardo Fioravanti, the 308 was a masterpiece of proportion. Its wedge profile, pop-up headlights, and muscular haunches created a shape that was both aggressive and elegant. The early fiberglass-bodied GTBs (1975-1977) are the lightest and most sought-after, though the steel-bodied versions that followed are more common.
The Quattrovalvole (QV, four-valve) version of 1982-1985 was the ultimate 308. With four valves per cylinder (32 total), power rose to 240 hp — recovering the output lost to emissions equipment in the earlier injected cars. The QV revved eagerly, sounded magnificent, and felt significantly more alive than the two-valve versions.
The 308 was Ferrari's first mid-engine V8 road car and established the template that continues today through the F8 Tributo and 296 GTB. The V8 engine family that began with the 308 would power Ferrari's 'entry-level' cars for 45 years.
With over 12,000 produced, the 308 is one of the most accessible Ferraris. It's the car that brings new enthusiasts into the Ferrari world — affordable enough to own, reliable enough to drive, and beautiful enough to stop traffic.
The 308 is the most accessible Ferrari classic. The QV (Quattrovalvole) is the best daily driver. Fiberglass-bodied early GTBs are the most valuable and lightest. Key checks: cam belt service (critical — Ferrari recommends every 3 years regardless of mileage), clutch wear, engine-out service costs ($5,000-8,000 for major service), and bodywork condition. US-spec 2-valve cars are less desirable due to lower power. GTS (targa) outsells GTB (coupe) but the GTB is the driver's choice.
Total 308 GTB/GTS production: approximately 12,004 units. GTB (Berlinetta, fixed roof): ~2,897. GTS (Spider, targa top): ~9,107. Variants: fiberglass body (1975-77, ~808 GTBs), steel body carbureted (1977-80), fuel injected (1980-82), Quattrovalvole (1982-85). US-spec cars had lower power due to emissions. The 308 was succeeded by the 328 GTB/GTS (1985-1989).