shmark

Just wanted to say a public thank you to Sterling. He was such a great host and instrumental in my trip to add a stablemate to the 928. He picked my son and I up at the airport on Friday and let us stay at his place that night, then took us out to meet the Dallas 928 bunch for a really good breakfast. Sorry we didn't stay til the end, but we needed to hit the road. BTW the trip was absolutely perfect. Only had a couple sprinkles in Texas and then beautiful sunshine the whole way back, split across two days. It was a great trip and the car ran perfectly, just a great weekend and one my son and I will never forget. Thanks Sterling!

Sorry I didn't get any pics at the breakfast, my car was definitely an interloper but felt right at home. Here she is tucked safely in Sterling's garage. Damn the 928 looks huge!



On the road.



Rest stop. Had lots of people come up and ask me about the car, very friendly. This was a common occurrence the whole way home.



The Tuscaloosa Hooters has talent!



Home sweet home and all cleaned up.



Once I get a little work done on the 928, I'll get them both out for a real photo shoot. But I think they are getting along just fine.

SeanR

Glad to hear you made it back safe and sound. I over slept and missed the breakfast, but there will be a next time

The car look fantastic, job well done.

linderpat

Absolutely love tha car. Eventually, the 308 is what I want to add to the stable too. How does it drive compared to the 928, especially on a long trip?

Erik N

That looks like a sincere smile on your son's face!

blown 87

Love it.
I have always wanted a 308, is that a GTS?
It looks like a 4 valve car.

It will make you stop thinking 928 parts are costly though.
There was a guy that made updated cam gears and tensioner/idlers a few years back, they are just like the ones on a 928 with the wear issues.

shmark

You know I was completely surprised. I was anticipating it to be a little nervous and harsh and boy was I wrong. Completely stable, fingertip driving on the highway no matter what the road conditions - bumps, grooves whatever. I think the new tires also helped that - I put the Dunlop Star Specs on it and so far I am really impressed with these tires. And the ride is a lot more comfortable than the 928, just absorbs bumps like they weren't there. I was seriously amazed. Of course my 928 has an uprated suspension which definitely skews the picture, but the 308 was just so easy to drive. The 928 seats are far more comfortable compared to the shells in the 308 and it feels more planted and heavy, while the 308 feels very light and fluid. High-speed GT versus lightweight sports car, very different animals. The 928 a/c is far superior though, definitely the best of any car we own including the moderns. The 308 a/c is decent and worked ok for the trip home, but in bright sunlight it was struggling.

I was always impressed with my 27 year old 928 and how tight and solid it feels, but if anything this 308 GTB feels even tighter. Not one rattle or squeak anywhere, very solid feeling. A GTS will flex and rattle a lot, which is why I wanted a GTB and that was definitely the right move. Once I get a little work on the 928 done, it will be really interesting to drive them back to back and do a real comparison.

shmark

It's a 1985 euro 308GTB QV, one of just a handful in the US and I was really lucky to stumble on it at exactly the right time. There are a couple vendors out there (much like the 928 vendors) and a big parts cross reference with other brands, which definitely helps with parts cost - buy "Bosch" parts and not "Ferrari" parts if you know what I mean. If you can care and feed a 928, chances are you can do the same with a 308 as long as you are smart about it. I bought it knowing it was way overdue for a major service and figured that into the purchase price. Then I bit the bullet and had a shop with a national reputation carry out that service - definitely a sit-down moment. Now I've got a good baseline and an excellent car, and I'll maintain it myself from here.

blown 87

I think I am going to give in to the jealousy and start hating you now.
Seriously, great find man, hope you bring it to the drive.
We used to work on a couple, but have not seen one in years.

shmark

This would be the "something else" I was talking about. See you Sunday!

AO

I think aside from the Lambo Countach, the 928 and the 308 were two of the iconic 80's super cars. Pretty cool that you have two of them. Someday... maybe.

blown 87

If not the 308 being THE iconic supercar of the 80's.

AO

You watched Magnum PI too?

shmark

Growing out my 'stache now, anyone got a Tigers cap I can wear?

Hilton

Bah, that's soo 70's.

"proper" 80's was Miami Vice and the white Testarossa

blown 87

My best friend Jack says he is going to make the drive next Sunday, he is friends with Tom due to Toms involvement with the NRA, maybe he could get you a real Magnum PI hat.