< 1980

Ferrari 208 (1980-1985) Italian market "tax break" model

With the cessation of production of the 208 GT4 model in 1980, the 2 litre engine was dropped into the 2 seat body of the 308 GTB to bring about the 208 GTB Italian market model. Apart from its motive power, it was virtually identical to its larger engine capacity 308 GTB sister, although the gear ratios were altered to suit the characteristics of the smaller engine. The Pininfarina designed body had a pronounced wedge profile, with a rectangular egg-crate aluminium radiator grille below a slim full width satin black front bumper. A square section indent line ran along each body side between the front and rear bumpers, which was finished in satin black whatever the main body colour. The doors featured scalloped intakes to the engine bay, the right one feeding the carburettor filter box, and the left one the oil cooler. At the rear there were twin circular light assemblies on the vertical recessed tail panel. A single piece lid hinged at the roof covered the engine bay and rear sited boot, whilst the vertical concave rear screen was bounded by buttressed sail panels. Options available were wider 7.5" rims, air conditioning, a radio, a deeper front spoiler, plus Michelin TRX or Pirelli P Zero tyres on special rims.

As with the exterior the interior was virtually identical to the larger capacity 308 GTB model, featuring a pair of leather trimmed bucket seats, whilst the main instruments were contained in a hooded nacelle in front of the driver, who was provided with a three spoke leather rimmed steering wheel. The clock and oil temperature gauge were mounted in a separate panel on the lower left edge of the dashboard. The gear lever in an open gate was mounted in the driver's side of the centre console, which also contained ancillary switchgear, the handbrake and an ashtray.

The 208 GTB models had a tubular chassis with factory type reference F 106 CB 100. Disc brakes, with independent suspension via wishbones, coil springs, and hydraulic shock absorbers, were provided all round, with front and rear anti roll bars. All models were numbered in the Ferrari odd number road car chassis sequence, with only left hand drive available. Production ran from 1980 through to 1982, during which time 160 examples were produced in the chassis number range 31219 to 41329.

The transversely mid-mounted aluminium V8 engine was essentially of the same design as that used in the 308 GTB model. It was of a 90 degree configuration, with belt driven twin overhead camshafts per bank, having a total capacity of 1991cc, with a bore and stroke of 66.8mm x 71mm, bearing factory type reference F 106 CB 000. The engine was coupled in unit with the all synchromesh five speed transmission assembly, which was below, and to the rear of the engine's sump. It was fitted with a bank of four twin choke Weber 34 DCNF carburettors, mounted in the centre of the vee, and had a claimed power output of 155bhp at 6800rpm.

The Pininfarina designed body had a pronounced wedge profile, with a rectangular egg-crate aluminium radiator grille below a slim full width satin black front bumper.

A square section indent line ran along each body side between the front and rear bumpers, which was finished in satin black whatever the main body colour. The doors featured scalloped intakes to the engine bay, the right one feeding the carburettor filter box, and the left one the oil cooler. On the 208 GTS the rear quarter windows behind the doors were hidden behind hinged louvre panels, the left one giving access to the fuel filler cap. The only visual difference between the 208 GTS and the 208 GTB, was the black grained finish removable roof panel of the former, which was stowed in a cover behind the seats when not in place. At the rear there were twin circular light assemblies on the vertical recessed tail panel. A single piece lid hinged at the roof covered the engine bay and boot, and the vertical concave rear screen was bounded by buttressed sail panels. Options available were wider 7.5" rims, air conditioning, a radio, a deeper front spoiler, plus Michelin TRX or Pirelli P Zero tyres on special rims.

As with the exterior the interior was virtually identical to the larger capacity 308 GTS model, featuring a pair of leather trimmed bucket seats, whilst the main instruments were contained in a hooded nacelle in front of the driver, who was provided with a three spoke leather rimmed steering wheel. The clock and oil temperature gauge were mounted in a separate panel on the lower left edge of the dashboard. The gear lever in an open gate was mounted in the driver's side of the centre console, which also contained ancillary switchgear, the handbrake and an ashtray.

The 208 GTS models had a tubular chassis with factory type reference F 106 CS 100. Disc brakes, with independent suspension via wishbones, coil springs, and hydraulic shock absorbers, were provided all round, with front and rear anti roll bars. All models were numbered in the Ferrari odd number road car chassis sequence, with only left hand drive available. Production ran from 1980 through to 1982, during which time 140 examples were produced in the chassis number range 31249 to 41265.

The transversely mid-mounted aluminium V8 engine was essentially of the same design as that used in the 308 GTS model. It was of a 90 degree configuration, with belt driven twin overhead camshafts per bank, having a total capacity of 1991cc, with a bore and stroke of 66.8mm x 71mm, bearing factory type reference F 106 CB 000. The engine was coupled in unit with the all synchromesh five speed transmission assembly, which was below, and to the rear of the engine's sump. It was fitted with a bank of four twin choke Weber 34 DCNF carburettors, mounted in the centre of the vee, and had a claimed power output of 155bhp at 6800rpm

• 208 Model Specification
  Engine
  Type...............................rear, transverse, 90° V8
  Bore/stroke......................66.8 x 71 mm
  Unitary displacement..........248.83 cc
  Total displacement............1990.64 cc
  Compression ratio..............9 : 1
  Maximum power................114 kW (155 hp) at 6800 rpm
  Power per litre..................78 CV/l
  Maximum torque...............170 Nm (17.3 kgm) at 4200 rpm
  Valve actuation.................twin overhead camshafts per bank, two valves per cylinder
  Fuel feed.........................four Weber 34 DCNF carburettors
  Ignition...........................single spark plug per cylinder, single coil
  Lubrication.......................wet sump
  Clutch.............................single-plate
  
  Chassis
  Frame.............................tubular steel
  Front/Rear suspension........independent, unequal-length wishbones,
                                       coil springs over telescopic shock absorbers,
                                       anti-roll bar
  Brakes.............................discs
  Transmission....................5-speed + reverse
  Steering..........................rack-and-pinion
  Fuel tank.........................capacity 74 litres
  Front tyres.......................205/70 VR 14
  Rear tyres........................205/70 VR 14
  
  Bodywork
  Type...............................two-seater berlinetta or two-seater targa-top
  Length............................4230 mm
  Width.............................1720 mm
  Height.............................1120 mm
  Wheelbase.......................2340 mm
  Front track......................1460 mm
  Rear track.......................1460 mm
  Weight............................1232 kg (dry) GTB
                                       1254 kg (dry) GTS
  Performance
  Top speed........................215 km/h

With turbocharging prevalent in Formula 1 at the time, Ferrari decided to adopt it on the Italian market 208 GTB in 1982, to redress the power difference between the 2 litre and 3 litre engines, without increasing the tax burden on the client. Visually the changes to the Pininfarina designed body were very small, there was a deep front spoiler with a row of five horizontal cooling slots just below the radiator grille and the front lid featured a row of satin black finished louvres to increase airflow through the radiator, due to the higher temperatures created by the turbocharging of the engine. On the lower body sides just in front of each rear wheel arch there was a NACA duct, and a spoiler was fitted to the rear of the roof between the buttresses that ran into the rear wings. The tail of the car featured a badge proclaiming "Turbo" and the twin paired exhaust pipes were within shrouds. Pirelli P 7 tyres on 16" rims were available as an option to the standard metric Michelin TRX tyres.

As with the exterior the interior was virtually identical to the larger capacity 308 GTB model, featuring a pair of leather trimmed bucket seats, whilst the main instruments were contained in a hooded nacelle in front of the driver, who was provided with a three spoke leather rimmed steering wheel. The clock and oil temperature gauge were mounted in a separate panel on the lower left edge of the dashboard. The gear lever in an open gate was mounted in the driver's side of the centre console, which also contained ancillary switchgear, the handbrake and an ashtray.

The 208 GTB Turbo models had a tubular chassis with factory type reference F 106 DB 100. Disc brakes, with independent suspension via wishbones, coil springs, and hydraulic shock absorbers, were provided all round, with front and rear anti roll bars. All models were numbered in the Ferrari odd number road car chassis sequence, with only left hand drive available. Production ran from 1982 through to 1985, during which time 437 examples were produced in the chassis number range 41357 to 59277.

The transversely mid-mounted aluminium V8 engine was essentially of the same design as that used in the 208 GTB model. It was of a 90 degree configuration, with belt driven twin overhead camshafts per bank, having a total capacity of 1991cc, with a bore and stroke of 66.8mm x 71mm, and a compression ratio of 7:1, bearing factory type reference F 106 D 000. The engine was coupled in unit with the all synchromesh five speed transmission assembly, which was below, and to the rear of the engine's sump. It was fitted with an exhaust driven KKK turbocharger unit with waste gate, Bosch K Jetronic fuel injection and Marelli MED 804A electronic ignition, and had a claimed power output of 220bhp at 7000rpm.

there was a deep front spoiler with a row of five horizontal cooling slots just below the radiator grille and the front lid featured a row of satin black finished louvres to increase airflow through the radiator, due to the higher temperatures created by the turbocharging of the engine.

A pair of electrically adjustable door mirrors was fitted as standard, there was a NACA duct on the lower body sides just in front of each rear wheel arch, and a spoiler was fitted to the rear of the roof between the buttresses that ran into the rear wings. The tail of the car featured a badge proclaiming "Turbo" and the twin paired exhaust pipes were within shrouds. Pirelli P 7 tyres on 16" rims were available as an option to the standard metric Michelin TRX tyres.

Internally, the three spoke steering wheel was of a new design featuring a rectangular section around the horn push, and the leather was extended from the rim onto the spokes to provide thumb rests on the upper pair. The centre console featured an instrument panel at its forward end which contained a turbo boost gauge and an oil temperature gauge. The gear lever in an open gate was mounted in the driver's side of the centre console, which also contained ancillary switchgear, the handbrake and an ashtray. The removable roof panel was stowed in a cover behind the seats when not in use.

The 208 GTS Turbo models had a tubular chassis with factory type reference F 106 DS 100. Disc brakes, with independent suspension via wishbones, coil springs, and hydraulic shock absorbers, were provided all round, with front and rear anti roll bars. All models were numbered in the Ferrari odd number road car chassis sequence, with only left hand drive available. Production ran from 1983 through to 1985, during which time 250 examples were produced in the chassis number range 42863 to 59279.

The transversely mid-mounted aluminium V8 engine was essentially of the same design as that used in the 208 GTB model. It was of a 90 degree configuration, with belt driven twin overhead camshafts per bank, having a total capacity of 1991cc, with a bore and stroke of 66.8mm x 71mm, and a compression ratio of 7:1, bearing factory type reference F 106 D 000. The engine was coupled in unit with the all synchromesh five speed transmission assembly, which was below, and to the rear of the engine's sump. It was fitted with an exhaust driven KKK turbocharger unit with waste gate, Bosch K Jetronic fuel injection and Marelli MED 804A electronic ignition, and had a claimed power output of 220bhp at 7000rpm.

• 208 Turbo Model Specification
  Engine
  Type...............................rear, transverse, 90° V8
  Bore/stroke......................66.8 x 71 mm
  Unitary displacement.........248.83 cc
  Total displacement............1990.64 cc
  Compression ratio.............7 : 1
  Maximum power................162 kW (220 hp) at 7000 rpm
  Power per litre..................111 hp/l
  Maximum torque...............240 Nm (24.5 kgm) at 4800 rpm
  Valve actuation.................twin overhead camshafts per bank,
                                       two valves per cylinder
  Fuel feed.........................Bosch K-Jetronic injection, single turbo
  Ignition...........................electronic, single spark plug per cylinder
  Lubrication.......................wet sump
  Clutch.............................single-plate
  
  Chassis
  Frame..............................tubular steel
  Front suspension...............independent, unequal-length wishbones,
                                       coil springs over telescopic shock absorbers,
                                       anti-roll bar
  Rear suspension...............independent, unequal-length wishbones,
                                       coil springs over telescopic shock absorbers,
                                       anti-roll bar
  
  Brakes.............................discs
  Transmission....................5-speed + reverse
  Steering...........................rack-and-pinion
  Fuel tank..........................capacity 74 litres
  Front tyres.......................205/55 VR 16
  Rear tyres........................225/50 VR 16
  
  Bodywork
  Type................................two-seater berlinetta or two-seater targa-top
  Length.............................4230 mm
  Width..............................1720 mm
  Height.............................1120 mm
  Wheelbase.......................2340 mm
  Front track.......................1460 mm
  Rear track........................1460 mm
  Weight............................1243 kg (dry) 208 GTS Turbo  (1983)
                                       1232 kg (dry) 208 GTB Turbo (1982)
  
  Performance
  Top speed........................242 km/h

< 1980

The listed details are those published by Ferrari at the model's presentation.