1976 Ferrari 308 GTB Vetroresina

1976 Ferrari 308 GTB "Vetroresina"
s/n 19735, engine number F106A 01859
Argento with Black Leather

Introduced in 1975 at the Paris Auto Salon, Pininfarina’s take on the 308 was a more curvaceous and exotic looking car than Bertone’s 308 GT4. Ferrari’s characteristic exploration of innovative technology led them to initially produce the car in fiberglass, but when production was later increased, the fiberglass proved expensive to work with, so after the first few examples had been constructed, the remaining cars were built in conventional steel. Just 100 US market 308 Vetroresinas were built, whereas approximately 700 were constructed for the European marketplace. The US market example offered here has just 15,000 miles from new, and is a benchmark for correctness and originality.

First delivered to Alfredo P. Oliverio of Palo Alto, California, at the time a top executive at Hewlett Packard Company,Mr. Oliverio would retain s/n 019735 until his passing. Early service records indicate regularly scheduled service work performed by Ferrari of Los Gatos and Ferrari of Walnut Creek up through 1989, at which time the car had accumulated 13,350 miles. After a period of non-use during Mr. Oliverio's elderly years, the car was finally sold and subsequently serviced by Ferrari-Maserati of Minneapolis, and transitioned to its next owner in Victoria, British Columbia.

Detailed importation documents confirm the colors and specifications remained then just as the car was delivered new, now showing just under 14,000 miles. By 2015 s/n 019735 had travelled back to the USA and was the subject of regular service work by Radcliffe Motor Car Co., including a substantial A/C system restoration, and at Tim Stanford's Foreign Cars Inc, a 30K mile "major service" was performed to include water pump and cam belts, still with just 14,507 miles indicated. In 2023, EcTechnik performed a minor service to include a fluids change just 300 miles later, confirming this Vetroresina was sparsely enjoyed but carefully looked after.

Under present ownership, s/n 019735 was comprehensively inspected and service work entrusted to Patrick Ottis & Company, where in excess of $6700 was spent to rebuild front brake calipers, dial in carburetors, and install new spark plugs, among other minor works.

Today this low mileage, early production US market car is a benchmark example for its correct-to-porduction-date equipment and finishes. While it was almost certainly repainted early in its life due to flawed metallic paint materials used by Ferrari when new, the interior (leather seats, carpets, door cards and dash top, and rear bulkhead upholstery) are all original material, and in excellent condition considering their age. The wheels have been expertly refinished in the correct silver, whereas the front and rear bumpers, emblems, and Saint Gobain glass all remain original. The front stowage area retains the original window washer bag and both front and rear compartments still have their correct "snake skin" vinyl material covers, a rare fabric carried over from 246GT Dino-era production.

As is common for limited production Ferraris, many minor equipment changes occurred during the ever-evolving production cycle for these Vetroresinas. These changes are well-documented by historical groups, and it is therefore possible-much more so than in other Ferrari production instances- to pinpoint which details are correct for a chassis number, right down to its month of production. In the instance of this car, the following nuance details are observed to be correct for its July of 1976 production:

Kaplan safety belts and seat belt receptacles
Aerial switch
Blaupunkt stereo and equalizer
Borletti AC unit
"Coat hanger" wiper blade arms
Brake fluid reservoir cover
Recessed windshield sprayer nozzles
Emissions-related secondary air pump

Boasting a cosmetic presentation which highlights originality over restoration or pre-sale preparation, this highly authentic example could be casually shown and likely met with success based on its correctness, or enjoyed on the open road with worrying about maintaining perfection.

The car is offered with records, original tools in an original holder, jack bag with jack and emergency triangle, original book pouch with US version owner's manual, dealer network, warranty and service books (with service stampings), and an original sales brochure.

Considerably lighter than later steel bodied examples, with less than 250 miles since last major service, and fresh from over $6,500 in recent work by Patrick Ottis & Company, this highly correct example in refreshing colors is California titled in the Seller's name and ready for Summer driving enjoyment. Quite modern in their mid-engine layout, and with a universally recognizable body shape, the 308 GTB is sure to be appreciated by both the current and next generation of Ferrari collectors.