Designed by Leonardo Fioravanti of Pininfarina to both replace the 206/246 Dino (of his design) and to sit alongside Bertone’s 308 GT4, the new Ferrari 308 GTB was introduced at the 1975 Paris Motor Show. The initial release saw Carrozzeria Scaglietti take the unusual step to produce the new Ferrari’s bodywork in Vetroresina (Fiberglass), a lightweight composite material, thus allowing the total weight of the 308GTB to be just 1,050kg!
Underneath the Vetroresina bodywork was a tubular chassis supporting a mid-mounted transverse 2927cc V8 engine designed by Vittorio Jano, equipped with quad weber carburettors and driven through a 5 speed transaxle gearbox. Over 12,000 Ferrari 308’s were built but just 808 Vetroresina’s were built globally, with a mere 154 of those being right hand drive. Ferrari switched to steel bodies in July of 1977, the new steel bodied 308 hit the scales near 150kg heavier.
Externally, a Vetroresina differs from a steel model visually in a few small ways:
- Reversing lights in the bumper instead of in the indicators
- There is a black border on the A pillar to connect the panels
- The panel between the rear lights is straight and has no recess for a license plate
- Single exhaust.
The days of criticism of the perceived inferior build quality of the fibreglass cars over the later steel bodied cars are long gone. The 308 Vetroresina has now become ‘the one to have’ amongst collectors and also enthusiasts, with its lighter weight, the great dry sump carburettor engine and low production numbers as the main reasons.
Chassis 21227 is an original RHD Hong Kong delivered car. The original owner, Mr. Lok Yuen-tong purchased the car from the official Hong Kong Ferrari dealer, Italian Motors Limited, on the 17th of March, 1978 with the original purchase documentation stating that the car was complete with factory air conditioning and fitted luggage.
On the 15th of October, 1985, with the odometer reading 4423, the car was taken to California with Mr Yuen-tong. Full service and repair receipts and records are kept and documentation with the car shows that on the 31st of May 1995, with the odometer reading 17,738 miles, the car was registered in California bearing plate number 3LQL567.
On the 25th of April 1996, with the odometer reading 19,597 miles, the car again boarded a ship and accompanied Mr. Yuen-tong to New Zealand. On arrival, on the 17th of May 1996, the car was registered bearing plate number 6GOON. The car was used sparingly whilst in New Zealand, with records show mileages of 21,403 in November of 2009, 21,792 in February 2011 and 21,938 in February 2013.
After being with the original owner for 35 years in 3 different countries, the car was sold to Paul Halford who sold it shortly after to Mark Whitehouse of Auckland on the 2nd of February 2013. He promptly had the cylinder heads removed and serviced and the timing belts replaced before loading it into yet another ship, this time bound for Australia. Import documents show that on the 26th of April, 2013 the car arrived in Port Botany abord the Bahia Blanca. The car was first registered in Australia with plate number FTW110 and 22,621 miles displayed on the odometer. During Mark’s 3 years of ownership he had the KONI shock absorbers replaced, front suspension and steering rebuilt and electronic ignition fitted by Cavallino Motorsport in Brookvale and only drove the car around 1500 miles.
The current owner purchased the car on the 2nd of September 2016, joined the Ferrari Owners Club of Australia and placed the car on conditional registration. Forming a part of a collection, the log book entries show the car was used sparingly but importantly it was driven during the past 7 + years. Concours Sportscar Restoration dyno tuned the car a few years ago and most recently have completed a full major service in readiness for the cars newest custodian. Current mileage is 25,410.
Looking around the body, everything is in order. The Giallo Fly paintwork isn’t absolutely perfect but is very presentable. Inside the cabin the carpets have been replaced when the car was in America but the rest of the interior is totally original and in fabulous condition. The engine compartment is impeccable and the boot compartment is filled with the wonderful, original, Ferrari leather fitted luggage which remarkably remain contained in their Ferrari protective bags. Books, tools and Ferrari space saver spare wheel are all still with the car.
This is a rare opportunity to purchase one of only 17 dry sump engined vetroresinas known to exist in Australia that will surely continue to appreciate in value.
