Ferrari 308 GTSi

Fuel-injected 308 provides bang for the buck.

The V8 powered, Pininfarina-styled Ferrari 308 had been on the market for five years when the 308 GTSi was introduced in 1980. Offered in both coupe (GTB) and Spyder versions (GTSi), the big difference between the “i” and its earlier Weber-carbureted brethren was the switch to Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection. Though the new injected motors provided better driveability than a smog legal “carb car” with its add-on air-pump and maze of emissions tubing, the GTSi’s performance was off by a full second in 1/4 mile time. This, combined with the switch from 14" Michelin XWX to 390mm Michelin TRX tires made the new car drive, sound and perform differently than its predecessor. For some, the injected car marked the beginning of the end of the true Ferrari feel, with its raucous intake manifold sounds, peaky engine performance (and plug-fouling idle, which fanatics always seem to forget). The 308 GTSi was not without problems. The paint, by Glidden) was short-lived,...