The Ferrari 208 GTS

Table of Contents:

Ferrari 208 GTS – Key Details

The Ultimate Guide to the Ferrari 208 GTS

FERRARI 208 GTS – THE 308 GTS’S ITALIAN BABY BROTHER

While Tom Selleck was flogging his 308 GTS around the set of Magnum P.I., the Ferrari 208 GTS quietly did its duty to prop up sales in the Italian market, where an extra 20% tax was levied on cars with engines over 2.0 litres. So, while we all know and love the Ferrari 308 GTS, many of us probably aren’t familiar with its little 2-litre brother. Let’s see what sets the 208 apart.

In Ferrari parlance, GTB signifies a coupe body style, while the GTS models wear a Targa top roof that can be stored behind the seats after removal, so today we are examining the roofless version of the 208. Compared to the 308, the main difference lies in the engine bay. Whereas the 308 used a 2.9-litre aluminium V8 from the Dino family of engines, the 208 was powered by a tiny little 2-litre V8, essentially just a de-bored version of the 308’s engine. The resulting 100 horsepower drop compared to the original 308 resulted (or 58 bhp compared to the 1980 GTSi, which used stricter emissions controls) caused a significant reduction in performance. Some even went as far as naming the 208 the slowest Ferrari. Ever. Well, nevertheless, the 208 retained the alluring Bertone-styled body that made the original so popular. A gated, dogleg 5-speed manual translates that power to the wheels, while a double-wishbone independent suspension incorporated anti-roll bars on both axles to keep the car stable while cornering.

Spanning just two model years, 1980 and 1981, the 208 GTS exists in very small numbers indeed. Only 160 examples were produced, almost entirely in Italy and New Zealand. This is in stark contrast to the relatively high number of 308s Ferrari was able to sell between 1975 and 1985. Even with a lack of power, many drivers today appreciate the 208 for its gloriously smooth power delivery and the novelty of such a low-displacement V8 engine. In 1982, a turbo version was introduced to give the 208 models some sorely-needed ponies.

Ferrari 208 GTS – Photo Gallery

Ferrari 208 GTS – Technical Specifications

Ferrari 208 GTS – Registry & Videos

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