Ferrari 380 GTB 1979 - A wise buy???
Discussion
As others have already said, get it PPI'd by an independent specialist, don’t bother with the AA/RAC or people who PPI generic classics, it needs to be somebody who knows them inside out . . . . If you contact The Ferrari Owners Club of Great Britain, they will recommend somebody near you 
As for general things to look out for . . . RUST RUST RUST! Electrics are also fun, however they can be sorted out by a diligent home mechanic, some Stabilant 22a and at worst a new fuse block & crimp connectors (£200 tops)
Mechanically, if driven regularly and maintenance is up to date, they are as reliable as a comparable 911, they do however tend to get through exhaust manifolds (swap for a stainless item) the carbs need occasional fettling and cleaning out, the same for the distributor / ignition system, the handbrakes are a bugger to adjust properly and even then are s
te and the clutch mechanism if not adjusted and lubricated properly can be a tad stiff
Oh and If your over 6’2” you may want to get a GTS
As for general things to look out for . . . RUST RUST RUST! Electrics are also fun, however they can be sorted out by a diligent home mechanic, some Stabilant 22a and at worst a new fuse block & crimp connectors (£200 tops)
Mechanically, if driven regularly and maintenance is up to date, they are as reliable as a comparable 911, they do however tend to get through exhaust manifolds (swap for a stainless item) the carbs need occasional fettling and cleaning out, the same for the distributor / ignition system, the handbrakes are a bugger to adjust properly and even then are s
te and the clutch mechanism if not adjusted and lubricated properly can be a tad stiffOh and If your over 6’2” you may want to get a GTS
We've been running a 308 GTS for about 7 years now. It's been generally very reliable, the only hiccough being when a head gasket started leaking on the way back from a trip to Italy about 4 years ago. This provoked a full engine strip just to see what it was like. These engines have an excellent reputation for reliability and, true to form, after 75k a set of valve guides, seals and piston rings just to be sure, saw it right.
Belt services are due every two years, though not terribly difficult, and being transverse engined, clutch changes are easy - though we haven't needed one yet.
The biggie when buying any Ferrari of this age really has to be rust - they're not as bad as most other Italian fare of the 70's - but not much better. Make sure you check out any potential purchase carefully.
Other than that, they're reliable and durable cars and great fun. 255 bhp isn't a great deal these days, but it's still enough to be great fun and it is a lovely chassis.
Belt services are due every two years, though not terribly difficult, and being transverse engined, clutch changes are easy - though we haven't needed one yet.
The biggie when buying any Ferrari of this age really has to be rust - they're not as bad as most other Italian fare of the 70's - but not much better. Make sure you check out any potential purchase carefully.
Other than that, they're reliable and durable cars and great fun. 255 bhp isn't a great deal these days, but it's still enough to be great fun and it is a lovely chassis.
I've had mine for 13 years... all of what has been said above is spot on (especially rust)
My experience with the carburetters may have been exceptional but I have had no problems whatsoever - it always starts on the button. As far as I recall only twice have they been tweaked to get them back in tune.
Handbrakes - as above, the design is toilet. I got my rear calipers rebuilt by Superformance a few years ago (£200-300 I think) and the handbrake is now good and sails through the MOT (it failed one year with a figure of 5%)
Belt Services - 4 years is the recommended interval - for comedy value raise this as a question in the FerrariChat 308 section.
The only thing I can really add is that my car was PPI'd by a very well respected independant. They were first class on the mechanicals but missed some very basic bodywork. Had I been aware of the bodywork I could have had more ammunition for haggling. I would get a bodywork specialist to do an inspection - one small bit of rust will cost a couple of hundred quid to repair properly.
email me if you have any specific questions - happy to help...
My experience with the carburetters may have been exceptional but I have had no problems whatsoever - it always starts on the button. As far as I recall only twice have they been tweaked to get them back in tune.
Handbrakes - as above, the design is toilet. I got my rear calipers rebuilt by Superformance a few years ago (£200-300 I think) and the handbrake is now good and sails through the MOT (it failed one year with a figure of 5%)
Belt Services - 4 years is the recommended interval - for comedy value raise this as a question in the FerrariChat 308 section.
The only thing I can really add is that my car was PPI'd by a very well respected independant. They were first class on the mechanicals but missed some very basic bodywork. Had I been aware of the bodywork I could have had more ammunition for haggling. I would get a bodywork specialist to do an inspection - one small bit of rust will cost a couple of hundred quid to repair properly.
email me if you have any specific questions - happy to help...
Edited by Andy 308GTB on Friday 1st April 07:13
Has anyone mentioned the rust issue yet? 
Inspect the following areas.........sills - particularly the leading & trailing edges; Lower rear quarters (forward of the rear wheels); Lower front wings - below the body suage, they can also rust above the body suage in line with the front wheelarch liner. Rear buttress seams - a PIG to repair properly! Doors - lower edges & internal frame, they can also rust on the outside edge of the intake tube; if you are looking at a GTS then check the rear quarter window surround below the glass. Trailing edge of tailgate. Nose is VERY vulnerable & most have had a repair at some time. Windscreen piller at the lower corner of the front 'screen.
Just a rough guide & they can (& do) rust in other areas.
FAB cars though
Good luck & go for it, cheers, Al.
Inspect the following areas.........sills - particularly the leading & trailing edges; Lower rear quarters (forward of the rear wheels); Lower front wings - below the body suage, they can also rust above the body suage in line with the front wheelarch liner. Rear buttress seams - a PIG to repair properly! Doors - lower edges & internal frame, they can also rust on the outside edge of the intake tube; if you are looking at a GTS then check the rear quarter window surround below the glass. Trailing edge of tailgate. Nose is VERY vulnerable & most have had a repair at some time. Windscreen piller at the lower corner of the front 'screen.
Just a rough guide & they can (& do) rust in other areas.
FAB cars though
Good luck & go for it, cheers, Al.
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