Just about every car you review makes me want it. Your enthusiasm and fondness for these cars is infectious not to mention the cars are all pretty cool anyway. Your narrative delivery is informative but casually offhanded, very enjoyable videos!
Totally agree! Harry's delivery is so very welcoming, it's almost like we're old friends or something and he's showing us his favorite things. It's my favorite channel.
I had a maths lecturer with a similar enthusiasm for his subject when I was at uni. Thanks to him, I still remember how to do Laplace Transforms 20 years later.
Always enjoy it when you talk about the little details nobody knows like the way the numberplatelights work or the perfect weight distribution of the car.
Harry is the proof that bickering between which brand is the best (Ferrari, Lambo, Porsche) is quite stupid, when you can just enjoy the best that each one offers to the world. Why choose teams if you like all of them?
Yeah that's fine and well but for most folks that want to own an exotic car it will often be a limited choice due to this thing called money that not everyone has a ton of..
Yes, true, but that still doesn't justify calling other shit just because you like one more than the others, does it now? I could own very well a Porsche, but still like Ferrari's and Lamborghinis, its called being an grown up person with a mind of its own and not a "Team" fanatic hooligan.
777jones: I wouldn't exactly call them junk but totally impractical to use as an everyday car. But for a weekend car that I can take out and enjoy...absolutely. That's what these cars were made for. Love them all but even I have my preferences too. :)
Hugo, you make a very good point. I worked in a couple of Ferrari shops in the late 1980's and early 1990's in sales. We never had a Lamborghini in the store so I can speak about them but we often had an incredibly entertaining collection in stock including Ferraris, Porsches, Jaguars, Mercedes, and a few others at different times. These 308s were some of the most comfortable, entertaining sports cars I've ever driven. You could climb into one of the and "put it on like a comfortable pair of old jeans" and just head up the coast north of San Francisco. California Highway 1 felt like it was made just for this car. It was easy to drive far faster than you'd ever want to get caught at and it always looked great. The other cars had their attractions, some models looked really good, some not so much, but there always seemed to be someone who liked each of them. I never tried to convince anyone which was my favorite. I always tried to get them to tell me what their favorite was and why. I got many very interesting stories from people that way... and often learned new bits about cars that I had thought I was pretty well versed on. I found that approach to be a really good opening to some very interesting conversations about a topic I've always enjoyed.
What an amazing video, Harry! I have a personal story to share about this car. The father of a close friend of mine back when I was a university student owned a white 308 vetroresina just like this one. I still remember all the cracks being visible on the paint surface, which was also getting yellowish. One day his father allowed him to take me out for a short tour, making him promise he would not let me drive. After a few minutes, when we were far enough from their home, he pulled the car to the side of the road, gave me the key and told me: "Now it's your turn!" I didn't dare to push it properly as I was scared to hell about the consequences of even a small mistake. Nonetheless, even after twenty years now, I still remember the emotion of my first time driving a Ferrari and the sense of gratitude I felt for my dear friend. That was a life changing experience! Keep up the amazing work, Chris. A fan of yours from Italy
Harry, just noticed, you are wearing the right watch for this model! Beautiful old GMT. I would love for you to do a video on your watches, you have some corkers!
atmospheric Slideshow I would also check out Doug Demuro's channel. He does great reviews as well. The only thing is, he doesn't have a budget for exterior shots of the cars when he's driving but his narration, enthusiasm, and attention to detail make up for it.
This is a Enzo generation Ferrari, so therefore its a true Ferrari from the standpoint of enjoyment! Thanks Harry for sharing your enjoyment with us!!!
I really appreciate these vintage Ferraris. These cars had just the right amount of power. Today the cheapest Ferrari has 560hp and does 0-60 in 3seconds. Where other than tbe autobahn and race track could you exploit half of its limit? Makes it almost worthless!
bigchubby You can pretty easily just push a car on a regular road. Here in Kentucky, there are plenty of backroads and mostly empty highways where I can hoon my Corvette C7 Z06 around, despite the car's 800hp. I took a road-trip to Florida and got it up to 190 because it was an arrow straight, completely flat 2-lane road with absolutely nobody on it within 2 or 3 miles of me.
I once had the opportunity to buy one of these fibreglass 308s in the late 90s for £19995. Feel a bit stupid for turning it down now, though at the time it wasn't really a viable proposition due to my then circumstances. But still.......
Matthew Godwin Don't feel bad, I turned down a mate offering me his 280SL for US$16k in the late 90s. And I've sold a '73 2002 and split window Kombi both for a fraction of what they are worth today.
My 85 year old next door neighbour bought in 1959 a 1955 Oldsmobile 98 with 5000 miles for $950. He sold it last year at a car show for $55k. All original with only 52000 miles on it. He tried to sell it cheap in the late 1970's and nobody wanted it. He tried to trade it in on a new truck in the '80s...nobody wanted it. He's happy he held on to it and sold it when he did. That guy got a real nice classic car.
The Mitsubishi Starion had a similar "wireless hatch" system for the rear wiper, license plate light and defrost. Since the hatch was all glass; the way they did it was through the lifter struts. The housings had a series of spring loaded connectors which made contact when closed. At least my that's the way wide body 1987 model was set up. I always thought it was very clever the way an all glass hatch had electrical systems on it and no cables.
What I love about Harry is that he actually DRIVES these cars.. and he doesnt treat them as if they will break any second. Love how he simply accepts the crazy quirks of these cars.. Carry on...
Thank you for a great review! Love these old Ferraris. Would love to see you reviewing the Ferrari 355 which is an old favorite of mine. I know they have their issues but they are gorgeous and if properly set up they are wonderful to drive and with a sound to die for :)
Great review Harry ! I noted Harry saying that he won't be buying the 308 Vetroretsina back as he much prefers the Testarossa. The Testarossa has a more reliable flat 12cylinder engine and for people over 6"0 in height, once again the Testarossa ! Furthermore l . . . there is beautiful yellow dry o Ferrari 308 Vetroresina sale in Australia as of Saturday. The 15th February, 2020. Price £92,500 !
Very nice GMT Master Harry!! I hope you are doing a video about your watches as well sometime in the future! And amazing Ferrari by the way.. Greetings from Munich
OMG, beautiful campag wheels. Any cyclist will know the hallowed brand. And who the fk kerbed them like that!? Also love the wheel to wheel arch to tyre size ratio. Just looks so right in an era of rubber bands on huge alloys
This was the Ferrari of my childhood. I still have my Matchbox 308 GTB 1:54th scale model which was one of my most prized possessions as an 8 year old, though my kids got hold of it recently so it's no longer in pristine condition.
Is that Alfa 105 behind you a 2000 GTV? Or a 1300/1600 "unificato"? Either way, can you make a video of it? I think nobody talks about those cars enaugh. They deserve more attention from car people.
such a beautiful car! Note that the emphasis in 'vetroresina' is on the second e: vetrorèsina. The word is a compound of vetro (glass) and resina (resin)
loved it! one of my favorite Ferraris , the 308. Remember years ago the wonderful ownership story of Steve Cropley, from Car magazine, who also ran a fibreglass Ferrari 308. just great cars.
About time! I was wondering whether I would ever see the video review of this car, ever since you bought it! Thank you very much - I have enjoyed this a lot. In 2009, a lovely grey example with 34k miles was going for 34k pounds and goodness me, if only I had bought that at the time. Well I bought a flat in Clapham instead and financially I have done well however, I would have had so much more fun with this! The other tell tale sign is the rear lights. The steel versions had clear centres in the rear outer lights for indicating reverse gear. The fibreglass ones had only yellow and red rears.
People often go on about how the 308 is slower than a modern midrange family hatchback but they're missing the point. The Ferrari is an experience every time you turn they key. An Astra is not.
As much as he implores that he has no intention of buying it back, you can tell how much he enjoys driving that wonderful machine! Also, the way they have the license plate lights rigged up wirelessly via the boot posts is absolutely BRILLIANT! I never would have known that if he hadn't mentioned it. Didn't Magnum P.I. drive a later model targa top 308? Loved that TV series & that car...the later steel bodied ones are definitely the better $$ value since they offer the same sound & performance for far less cash-if you're looking for something you'll drive often and are not concerned about it's status as a collectable.
Was admiring one of these, when I was 12 in 1976 at Torquay, and the owner came back and saw me looking through the window, and asked if I wanted a spin in it , and took me for a 5 min blast round a few of the streets brilliant , I’m sure no one I told at the time believed me cheers shane uk 🇬🇧
In the late 80's, a bleach blonde bombshell, in high heels with white short skirt and jacket shows up at my garage/workshop wrapped in her white 308. Not this model, but the later targa. Either way, Marilyn become a good customer of mine.And my technician and I had the time of our lives driving her car around the rolling hills of Cleveland . Thanks for sharing JT P.S. tell your Mate we need more videos from his garage and the rebuilding of that Lambo V-12
My father used to have a Ferrari 308 Ventroresina and it's had 4 owners since then, the third owner had it for 19 years and used it nearly every day he bought it when it had 28,600 and sold it at 49,000 miles it's now done 54,000 miles. It is tax exempt. Registration is MMW 40R and it's had a concours rebuild. And it's for sale at a garage called A2B Consulting in Altrincham.
If I had +10 million GDP/EUR I would gladly "resto-mod" a 308/328 with new carbon fiber panels all around, and exposing them with e.g. candy blue carbon paint! And bespoke Carbon fiber rim/aluminum spoke wheels with some up to date Pirellis. That would look so cool! I got a cool sports- and a supercar but far from the needed economy for including such an interesting resto-mod Ferrari. Someday maybe. You never know. Keep up hope for more success/money.
Really fun review! I like how on the RHD, even the catch for the front bonnet is moved to the right ;) The other tell on the fiberglass cars is that small notch on the A pillar I think? That induction noise is on the right side as well. We love our '85 QV - just a hoot to drive! Ours is a Euro GTS LHD German delivery car. Thanks for giving us a look at your car(s) - Always love your videos! We have a similar channel name ;) Franny
Sound of Ferrari V8 was a dissapointment for me. Like an old VW Beetle. 😉 I have been told that it´s because 180 degrees crankshaft. Lancia by Ferrari 8.32 V8 with 90 degrees crankshaft sounds much better.
I thought that until say 5 years ago, the fiberglass cars were considered inferior and just used cars basically. They cost $35,000. Until whatever happened.
I find a lot of Italian car makers shared parts. The number plate lights look like they fit the Alfa, the cash is very similar to Alfas monopod on the Spider.
An Englishman who owned a steel company, driving a fibreglass bodied Italian car... Sounds like the setup for a joke. The man had exquisite taste though, I love a white Ferrari.
Dear Harry, Sorry I wanted to say problems with water-cooling temperatures. I own 2 911 3.2 G50 coupé and targa, they are like a real tanks, but we are in Barcelona. I would be delighted to offer to you. Best regards from Barcelona.
Great video, great car, 14 inch wheels and profile 70 tyres! Imagine Ferrari doing that nowadays! Looks like a nice early 80s Reference 16750 faded pepsi GMT you have there.
My grandfather had a 308GTB QV for a while, rosso corsa with black leather seats, total dream machine as a teenager. I remember when we stopped at what was then the Nigel Mansell Ferrari dealership in Blandford in my 1.0 Mk1 VW Polo. The salesman was rather snobbish at us kicking the tyres on Ferraris, until my grandpa pulled his chequebook out. The look on the sales guy's face was classic.
Friend has a 308 not this particular model. He imported from US . It's equiped with these 2 ghastly rubber bumpers...Like if you hit a pedestrian with such a low car he will survive... The looks without them is far far better ! Harry thanks.
you know in watching this again, this really should go to a museum like the peterson in the US, where they actually drive their cars, but also preserve them, as this thing despite its higher use at the start of its life, handled and weathered the years amazingly quite well, and is a true time capsule of its original 1976 autoshow routes. as the beginner bargain ferrari thing means that this thing compared to all other ferrari 308's is amazingly quite rare, as this was the ferrari people bought and beat the crap out of back in the day. hell I still remember my brother here in the US, upon the only time seeing a ferrari 308 on the roads here in the 90's going, oh its only a 308, like now you'd get laughed out of the building for saying such a thing.
I've always loved the styling of the 308/328/288 series of Ferraris. And while the 308 is not all that fast compared to today's sports cars, my vision is the targa top version on a nice day, secondary roads along a canyon, ridge, or river drainage with lunch in the trunk. That's living life large in my view. Alas, I am way, way too tall for these cars. But, the 360/F430 series? Those cars have significantly increased legroom. Spider version? Yeah.
Great video Harry.This review of the 308 GTB Ferrari suited your style.Just a lot more action from the outside of the car would be nice.Especially flooring it at some point,preferably a couple of times,to allow us to hear what the engine sounds like on full song.
I enjoyed watching this again! Please, please see if you can get your hands on a 308GT4! It would be ace to see you drive that car on your channel. I have heard from several sources (including you) that it handles a better than these due to the longer wheelbase.
I watch these videos and then go and buy whatever car (or nearest too it) He is reviewing in Forza Horizon 3. I even pretend that I'm Harry and review it out loud as I'm driving. Anyone else do this?
The single exhaust tip seems really rare. Is it because there is a factory option to upgrade to quads? Anyway it still sounds phenomenal! Is the exhaust fully factory?
For a guy who has the dollars for so many beautiful cars, why did you never get the dental work that you so badly need. I know Brits LOVE having bad and crooked teeth but this is CRAZY!!!!!
Back in the late 80’s I lived in Raleigh North Carolina. One of our local radio stations,WQDR gave a 308 Ferrari away and it was one of the fiberglass bodied versions. Back then they bought it as it was cheaper and less desirable than the metal bodied cars.
My favorite Harry's Garage to date. I have an 84 308GTS, a grail car for me. It's interesting that you say the Vetrosina" isn't worth the 2x premium. I totally agree. Thanks for the great carporn Harry!
Harry, please don't sell any more of your Ferrari's to Chris Evans again. Beautiful Boxer at the start of the video. I can't wait to check out your review of it. Your the best car reviewer on the internet, much appreciated, I'm sure i speak from all of your Fans on U-Tube!
What a car...Pure automotive beauty. Harry what you would recommend for 10k. 2 doors oldimer or young timer whit some extra horse. I know SL is something like that, but what more?
actually harry you know what you should get, a suped up steel bodied ferrari 308 to make up for the power to weight ratio, like the 308 equivalent of that suped up single mirror testarossa you had, hell maybe you need to start looking for a 288 clone really. as one of leno's buddies here mentioned having a suped engine made up for his Dino, and maybe you should follow suit? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-TPYPmsnm44Q.html as the 308's are abit choked on power on this side of the atlantic, and they werent much to begin with really, as much as a big block corvette at its weakest point really. and I kinda get the impression you miss having that 345 horsepower V12 behind you in this.
Did you match the blue pants and blue/white shirts with de blue interieur/white paint of the car? :) the v8 gorgel sound is just amazing. What is the other white monster in the background of the garage? Looks nice!
One of your best videos Harry , great detail great noise from that car , which is the same age as me and probably in better condition! Thanks for the brilliant content.
Very nice car for the back roads. Looks really comfortable and engaging. The new cars are so fast and stiffly sprung that you can’t really wring them out on public roads and they’re not that comfy. Ends up making them kind of boring and uncomfortable. Great for the track, but how much time do most people spend on the track?
I once impertinently asked a Glaswegian (looked like a gangster) in Morrisons car park if he would swap his red 308 for my 6 year old x type. He grunted his refusal but cheered up somewhat when I asked him if it was the fibreglass or steel variant.
I know the Vetroresina is lighter, rarer, and more valuable than standard aluminum/steel cars, but I just prefer the idea of metal. Not to mention quad-exhaust. But, an enjoyable video nonetheless!
Honestly, his style of journalism and the way he reviews these cars as if they're more than just pieces of metal and rubber is what makes me jump for joy when a new video is uploaded.
