One to Buy: 13,000km Verde Medio 100-point 1976 Ferrari Dino 308 GT4
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Despite a long-standing relationship with Pininfarina, Ferrari commissioned Carrozzeria Bertone to design and manufacture bodywork for its first V8-engined road car.
Unveiled at the Turin Motor Show in November 1974, the 308 GT4 was Ferrari’s second Dino-badged model as, at this stage, only twelve cylinder offerings were sold with the iconic Prancing Horse emblem. However, the new machine was not a direct a replacement for the much-loved V6-powered Dino 206 and 246 which had been around in one shape or another since late ‘67. Instead, the 308 GT4 was the first in a new line of mid-engined models with a 2+2 cockpit layout.
The 308 GT4’s Dino branding was retained until mid 1975 from which point Ferrari badges were adopted. At the same time, a couple of minor cosmetic tweaks were made and new five-spoke star-pattern Campagnolo wheels were added to the options list as an alternative to the distinctive original Cromodora type rims.
Towards the end of production in early 1978, output dropped from 255bhp to 230bhp when Ferrari switched to electronic ignition. By the time production came to an end in late 1980 to make way for the new Mondial, a little over 2800 copies of the 308 GT4 had been completed.
Owing to the high cost of expert restoration, very few examples of the 308 GT4 have undergone the kind of work required to bring them back to ‘as new’ condition. Currently residing at the Modena Motorsport showroom in Langenfeld, Germany, though is one of these Bertone-bodied Ferraris that has been revived without regard to expense.
An original first series Dino-badged 308 GT4 that was not registered until 1976, this superb example left Maranello in the stunning and rarely seen colour combination of Verde Medio over Tobacco upholstery. Delivered new to Madrid, around 3000km ago the car was the subject of a complete 100-point concours restoration that cost in excess of €180,000.
Now showing a little under 13,000km, this remarkable matching numbers Dino is accompanied by its original book pack and tool kit.
