Today marks exactly 50 years since Ferrari unveiled the 308 GTB to the world at the 1975 Paris Motor Show. The car became an instant success and remains one of the most beloved Ferraris ever built. Its golden anniversary is the perfect moment to celebrate this true icon from Maranello.
When it debuted, the 308 GTB immediately caused a sensation. It was the first mid-engined V8 to wear the Ferrari badge, a layout previously seen only on the Dino 308 GT4, but never under Ferrari’s own name.
The 308 GTB shown on Ferrari’s stand featured a fibreglass body, a first for the marque. Its design represented an evolution of the Dino’s lines and shared clear similarities with both the 365 GT4 BB and the P6 Berlinetta Speciale concept car that had been displayed at the 1968 Turin Motor Show. All three designs were penned under the direction of Leonardo Fioravanti at Pininfarina.
The 308 GTB holds a special place in Ferrari’s history. It is often regarded as the starting point of Ferrari’s mid-engined sports-car bloodline, a lineage that continues today with the 296 GTB. It also served as the foundation for Ferrari’s first true supercar, the legendary 288 GTO.
The original 308 GTB was powered by a 2.9-litre V8 engine, producing 250 hp (188 kW) at 6,600 rpm, paired with a five-speed manual gearbox.
Over its decade-long production run, Ferrari built several variants of the 308 series, including both berlinetta and open-top spider models, as well as later fuel-injected and quattrovalvole versions. In total, more than 12.000 examples left the gates of Maranello between 1975 and 1985.
Among all these versions, the most coveted remains the fibreglass 308 GTB “Vetroresina”, produced in limited numbers between late 1975 and mid-1977. Only 712 examples were built, making it one of the most collectible 308s today.
Of course, the 308 also achieved worldwide fame thanks to Detective Thomas Magnum, who drove a red 308 GTS throughout eight seasons of the hit television series Magnum P.I.
Half a century later, the Ferrari 308 GTB still embodies everything that defines the marque: beauty, balance and pure driving pleasure. A timeless design, a landmark in Ferrari’s evolution, and without question - a true icon.
Images credits: Ferrari S.p.A. and RM Sotheby’s.
