1980 Ferrari 308 GTSi 2.9L V8 5MT RWD (205 HP)

Vehicle Overview

The 308 was available as a coupe, the GTB, and as a targa: the GTS. In 1980, due to emission regulations, the car manufacturer had to find solutions to keep the power levels up and still comply with the rules. To do that, it installed a Bosch Motronic fuel injection system into both versions of the car, hence the “i” letter behind the GTB and the GTS, respectively. But the sales were still at a modest level. Then, the Magnum P.I. happened. The American TV series started in late 1980. It starred Tom Selleck in the leading role, a private investigator who drove a 308 GTSi in the movie, and suddenly, the car became instantly recognizable on the streets. So, despite the weaker engine, sales went through the roof. Nevertheless, it is worth mentioning that it wasn’t a slow vehicle by those times’ standards. Its low weight and punchy V8 transversely mounted behind the cabin pushed the 308 GTSi quicker than most other sports cars available on the market.

But Ferrari didn’t bother to change the car’s exterior, which was penned by Leonardo Fioravanti while working for the Pininfarina design studio. The 1980 Ferrari 308 GTSi featured a pair of pop-up headlights and a set of vents behind them on the upper side of the fenders. Below the automaker placed a horizontal rubber stripe that served as a bumper and was flanked by the lamps for the turn signals and the parking lights.

From its profile, the aerodynamic vehicle boasted a raked windshield with slim A-pillars. The removable roof could be stored behind the seats, while the broad B-posts were triangular and extended towards the car’s back. The automaker placed a vertical rear window behind the cabin and in front of the engine’s lid. At the same time, the round air intakes that flanked the bodywork were placed on the waistline, just above the rear quarter panels, creating an iconic image for the 308 lineup. Finally, at the back, Ferrari installed twin round taillights, where the reversing lights were integrated into those mounted inwards.

The leather-wrapped interior of the 308 GTSi featured a pair of bucket seats with bolstered areas to provide enough side support for their occupants. Fronting the driver was a clean-looking instrument cluster with two large dials for the speedometer and tachometer and three additional gauges for fuel level, oil pressure, and coolant temperature. In addition, on the center console, the automaker added a couple of extra gauges for the ammeter and an analog clock.

Under the hood, Ferrari placed the same 2.9-liter V8 found in the previous version of the car, albeit improved by a fuel injection system. That allowed the Italian car manufacturer to provide customers with a 244 PS (240 hp) engine. It paired it with a five-speed manual transmission that sent all the oomph to the rear wheels.