Ferrari 308 / 328 History
The iconic Magnum P.I. Ferrari — a Pininfarina V8 berlinetta that defined the brand through the late 1970s and 1980s.
Photo: “Ferrari 308 GTB” by nakhon100 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
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The 308 family launched with the 308 GT4 in 1973 — a Bertone-designed 2+2 initially badged as a Dino before Ferrari took ownership of the badge — and then found its iconic form with the Pininfarina-penned 308 GTB (1975) and GTS targa (1977). The mid-mounted 3.0-litre V8 produced around 255 hp in European carburetted form; US-specification cars were detuned by emissions equipment.
The 308 GTS became a cultural phenomenon when it appeared as Thomas Magnum's car in the TV series Magnum P.I. (1980–1988), making it the most recognised Ferrari of its era. A 1980 switch from fibreglass to steel bodywork was followed by fuel injection variants (GTBi/GTSi) and the Quattrovalvole (four-valve, 1982) upgrade.
The 328 GTB and GTS arrived in 1985 with a 3.2-litre V8 raising output to around 270 hp, along with restyled bumpers and interior. Production of the 308/328 family ran until 1989; combined output exceeded 19,000 units, making it one of the most-produced Ferrari families at the time.
Generations
308 GT4
Bertone-designed 2+2 that introduced the 3.0-litre V8; sold under Dino branding at first.
308 GTB / GTS · 308 GTB/GTS
Photo: “Ferrari 308 GTB” by nakhon100 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Pininfarina's definitive 308 shape; GTS targa popularised by Magnum P.I.
1978 Photo: “1978 Ferrari 308 GTB 2.9 (1)” by Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1980 Photo: “1980 Ferrari 308 GTB 3.0” by Adam Weston / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1984 Photo: “1984 Ferrari 308 GTS 3” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
328 GTB / GTS · 328 GTB/GTS
Enlarged 3.2-litre V8, revised nose/tail; the cleanest evolution of the 308 design.
1986 Photo: “1986 Ferrari 328 GTS (12318)” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1987 Photo: “1987 Ferrari 328 GTS Coupe (25950514044)” by Sicnag / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1988 Photo: “Paris - RM Sotheby's 2016 - Ferrari 328 GTS - 1988 - 001” by Thesupermat / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1989 Photo: “1989 Ferrari 328 GTB (43233380804)” by Hugh Llewelyn from Keynsham, UK / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Body styles
- Coupé (GTB)
- Targa (GTS)
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