I coulda beat a Ferrari

[SpudRacer]

I was driving back from a run today in the S2000 with the top down. It was only 55 degrees but sunny with no wind. After a week of dismal gray skies and rain, I was taking advantage of the last shred of good weather. Anyway, as I'm gaining on a car about a half mile in front of me, I begin to recognize a familiar shape. Low, red, two pair of round tailights. Magnum PI! I close the gap and sure enough, it's a 1981-2 Ferrari 308GTBi. It was in beautiful shape with an "antique" plate on it. I'm sure it was an investment piece and the two guys inside were just out enjoying the weather like me.

When I got home, I Googled up the specs on it. According to the Ferrari website, the little 3.0L V8 only made 205HP and 179 Ft/Lbs in U.S. spec. to haul around 3,317 lbs of Italian sex machine. It's published 0-62 MPH time was 6.5 seconds. My how times have changed. My little 2008 S2000 (itself a 10 year old design) with 237HP and 168 Ft/Lbs hauling 2,856 Lbs of Japanese goodness could likely whup the Ferrari's butt in braking, handling, and acceleration but not in chick magnetism. The Ferrari still has the name and the looks. And that 308GTBi was one of only 494 produced. The lowest year ever for 308 production. That was a pretty cool sighting IMHO.

A G sedan or coupe would likewise whup the little Stallion from Maranello like a rented mule but it's still a head turner after almost 30 years and that's no small accomplishment.

[HellaFly]

I can beat a horse and carriage.

[O HELLA JDM]

^^ i can beat a kid on a bike???

[lekker_droom]

I can beat an S2000.

[officerdbag]

^^^ i can beat my meat.

[G35Ian]

I'd rather have that Ferrari than the S2K!!!

[SpudRacer]

You guys on learners permits are probably too young to remember the dark days of the 70's and 80's when a 308GTB was considered a hot car. Times when a Corvette made 190 HP and manufacturers were trying to figure out safety and emissions technology. It's a piece of automotive history. Oh well, pearls before swine and what not.

Hey look there goes a VIP car. I think it's a Bentley with plastic body panels.

[SpudRacer]

Originally Posted by G35Ian

I'd rather have that Ferrari than the S2K!!!

Same here but only as a collector's item. I wouldn't take any chances in a near 30 year old car that was produced in such low numbers and with that history. For one thing parts are near impossible to find. And it would be a shame to have it involved in an accident. The two guys in the one I saw were being model citizens.

The S2000 is something I can have fun with every day. It attracts little attention. Is relatively cheap to run. And it will outhandle almost any car on the road today. But no, it is not a drag car.

[SpudRacer]

Originally Posted by lekker_droom

I can beat an S2000.

At least officerdbag is honest. Like him I think you'd be better at beating your meat than any actual competitive driving. Project Gotham and Need For Speed isn't quite like the real thing. Ask your dad.

[lekker_droom]

Originally Posted by SpudRacer

At least officerdbag is honest. Like him I think you'd be better at beating your meat than any actual competitive driving. Project Gotham and Need For Speed isn't quite like the real thing. Ask your dad.

Oh, I'm sorry. Did you get your feelings hurt?

Truly, I'm sorry.

[Guam671]

Originally Posted by officerdbag

^^^ i can beat my meat.

can you beat my meat?!

[chord42]

My dad owns a 82 i think 308 gts. Red/tan. U are very right.. its slow as hell. You couldnt sell that car for more than 30k. Very slow, and one of ferraris least attractive models. But it was his first ferrari so hey. sentimental value. and a pretty interior

[SpudRacer]

Originally Posted by chord42

My dad owns a 82 i think 308 gts. Red/tan. U are very right.. its slow as hell. You couldnt sell that car for more than 30k. Very slow, and one of ferraris least attractive models. But it was his first ferrari so hey. sentimental value. and a pretty interior

You have to put in the context of the time it was created. At the time, a Vette made 190 HP, a Supra made 145 HP, and the Mustang GT made a whopping 157 HP from a 5.0L V8. Manufacturers were clumsily trying to incorporate new bumper standards. Hence the ugly front and rear look of many cars from that era. Including Ferrari. The Lamborghini Countach LP500S made 375HP from a 4.8L V12, ran 0-60 in 5.6, and topped out at 165. The Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer made 340HP from a 4.9L V12, ran 0-60 in a similar 5.6 seconds, and looked a lot like the 308.

All of this seems pretty lame after 30 years of innovation but you'd hope there'd be some progress in three decades of research, development, and competition. Today's V6 family sedans can run with / crush yesterday's V12 supercars. Good for us!

[mIKE]

Just to put the power curves into perspective... (this is from the dyno day yesterday)

S2k has no power mods. G35 (2nd gen) has FI exhaust, FI HFCs, and Ingen long tube CAIs.



Oh, I should note that the s2k DOES make more power over 8000 rpm, but is not included on this particular graph...

[SpudRacer]

Hey Mike,

How many miles on both engines? Just curious as I own both and if these are well broken in, it gives me some idea of eventual output..