Like all ‘older’ road Ferraris, the 308 GTB chassis have odd serial numbers. Even numbers were only used for racing cars and for the Dino models, including the 208/308 GT4.

A 308 GTB chassis serial number (s/n) looks like this: F 106 AB *18677*.

F 106 AB is the factory code describing the car as a carburetted 308 Berlinetta, followed by the individual serial number of the car.

The first serial number given to a 308 GTB is 18677. Before the start of production, it is believed that there was at least one prototype: s/n 18317. For a long time it was assumed that also 18319 and 18321 were 308 GTB prototypes, but looking back this seems to be based on superficial research in the last century and appears rather unlikely. Probably these are 365 GT4/BB chassis numbers instead. The last fiberglass car is, according to most of the books, s/n 21289. The first steel-bodied car is regarded to be 20805. This information appears to be incorrect, too, because there is at least one steel car known in the USA with a lower number, having definitely a steel body. Experts claim that all 308 GTB’s destined for the US market with numbers higher than 20000 are steel cars.

Most of the literature claims that the last carburetted 308 GTB built in 1980 was s/n 34349. Ferrari once had published a table on the Ferrari Owners Website, in which 34329 was mentioned as the last one. But according to the Servizio Assistenza Tecnica of Ferrari, even after 34349 there were manufactured another five: 34377 – 34379 – 34389 – 34465 – 34503. Conclusion: There are a lot of question marks and mysteries when it comes to Ferrari chassis numbers!

From the end of 1979, apparently UK RHD carbureted cars have received a full 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), for example ZFFCA03C000033795 and ZFFCA03C000034347. Even on those cars the plate on the steering column kept the usual layout, showing just the last 5 digits of the VIN. Only when the two-valve-injected version (308 GTBi or GTSi, respectively) was introduced, cars for all markets carried the full 17-digit VIN.

Compiling Ferrari serial numbers and researching the histories of the respective cars has become a fascinating hobby for many enthusiasts around the world. For some Ferrari experts it is also a vital part of their profession.