1988 Ferrari 328 GTB review from UK and Ireland

Nothing broke on the track!

Now 39, I have been a petrolhead since long before I could drive. One car has always stirred my heart more than any other: the Ferrari 328 GTB. Its the greatest of the 308-style 'raris bar the unattainable 288 GTO.

My wife bought me a Ferrari trackday and I managed to enjoy 15 laps of Oulton park in a 328 GTB. Here are my thoughts:

On approaching I was struck by how small the car was - seemingly half the size of a 360. also very VERY beautiful, the flanks and curves have such an enduring rightness to me that they may never be bettered. Tiny wheels compared to modern sports cars, but not out of place on this 1988 model.

Interior: cream leather and, well, pretty awful looking, but what the hell, it's a ferrari 328!. On getting in I had to take off my right shoe to operate the throttle properly, and remove the targa top to fit in with a helmet on. This is a seriously cramped interior for a big-ish feller.

Driving position started off as horrible, and did not improve over the drive, the leather seats were slippery and did not provide enough support.

Start her up and blap the throttle, the engine sounded lovely: with bass, midle AND treble: snick into first gear around that obstructive open gate and move off using the heavy clutch and stiff throttle.

Took a while to get used to the heavy unassisted steering, even longer to trust the unservoed brakes; I know this car is all about driving purity, but this detracted from the driving experience rather than adding to it, as in the Elise.

After 2 warp up laps, my instructor exhorts me to go for it, so I oblige!. The car's attitude snaps into focus under application of power, the steering lightens up and the rear responds laterally to every power blip. First bend, down a cog... roll around...hold a line... (the steering weight sup uncomfortably, but it chats constantly, then POWER out into the straight. Snap of oversteer (easily controlled) but the car just doesn't seem as fast as I was expecting. OK, OK, brake hard, down 2 cogs and turn in for the next bend, this time I apply teh poer earlier - BIG mistake! result: 720 degree spin and a laughing instructor!

Move off again and its all getting smother..there's no rushing this car, and no overwhelming the limited grip. Fun though and by the last 3 laps I am cornering confidently and bouncing the engine off the limiter in the first 4 gears at least twice per lap!

Laps over, I slow and trundle down the pit lane to consider my drive. The 328 is a fast and charismatic drive, and is very tactile, but, well, just not 'super' enough. It felt little quicker than my own Integra Type R, and was much harder to hold a line in. The legendary steering and chassis feel was no better than any Elise I have ever driven, and noticeably bettered by the VX220 we also drove on the day The VX in fact would probably have lapped faster and was a more enjoyable and capable drive, if not so charismatic.

In summary I wasn't disappointed: the 328 GTB is a legend and it was great to drive it, and I'd have one in a heartbeat if I ever got rich, but I think it is maybe testament to how car design has moved on that humble sportsters like the VX220 and S2000 Honda make a better fist of handling twisty circuits than the old 'rari.

The 328 is still a legend, but the Elise and VX220 better it as delicate road tools.