Ferrari 308 IMSA GTU 1990

During the late 1950s, Joe Huffaker was just beginning his design and fabrication career in the racing industry. He created a series of winning SCCA production racers for Kjell Qvale, the British Motor Corporations (BMC) west coast importer and distributor. Huffaker also dabbled in the Trans-Am series and Indy Cars throughout the years. The list of legendary drivers who piloted Huffaker-designed cars included Bobby Unser, Augie Pabst, Pedro Rodiguez, and Dan Gurney.

For the I.M.S.A. GTU Series in 1990, Huffaker designed three specially-prepared Ferrari 308 cars. The cars were commissioned by Bill Freeman. When the project was complete, each of the three cars had shared little with the original 308 GTB, except for its exterior appearance and the engine. The chassis is a tubular space frame with F1-style in-board rocker arms, springs and shocks. The engine has been modified and mounted longitudinally in the chassis. It is connected to an Indy-car type Hewland DGB-5 transaxle. The car is kept in the drivers control by four air jacks. The composite body is removable via Dzus fasteners.

The cars were ready for the start of the 1991 season, but by the time of completion, they were already obsolete. Rule changes meant they were ineligible to compete.