History of the Ferrari 308 GT4
The Dino 308 GT4 made its debut at the Paris Salon in October 1973. The new offering was to supplement the Dino 246 GT that continued in production concurrently through the end of 1974. It was very different from it’s stablemate and the voluptuous line of the 246 was replaced with the distinctive, sharp edged wedge from Bertone. And there were more firsts for the make. The new car had a transverse-mounted, double-overhead-camshaft V-8 mounted just ahead of the rear axle. This was the first non-Farina-designed Ferrari GT production car in nearly twenty years.
The new car was designed as a 2+2, even though it didn't carry that designation in its specification. And it had a Dino insignia on the front with no Ferrari prancing horse emblem in evidence anywhere.
Bertone's task was dificult. Designing a 2+2 with a mid engine has to be a tremendous challenge. The styling of the 308 GT4 never won large acclaim following it‘s predecessor, but considering the design problems, the solution is quite good.
All independent suspension was used with unequal-length A-arms and coil springs, and ventilated disc brakes were now the standard Ferrari equipment.
The engine had ninety degrees between cylinder banks, four Weber down-draft carburetors and, with 8.8:1 compression ratio, produced 205 horsepower at 7700 rpm. Unlike the 246 Dino, the engine was produced entirely by Ferrari.
The Bertone bodywork has continued basically unchanged, but in late 1976, the Ferrari prancing horse appeared on the nose, the wheel hubs and the steering wheel center. No explanation was given for the sudden change, but it is felt that Ferrari finally decided the car was worthy of the Ferrari name.
In view of the varied engine configurations used by Ferrari since 1947-inline four and six, 60-, 65- and 120-degree V-6, V-8, V-12, flat eight and flat twelve-the 246 Dino should also have been called a Ferrari. Perhaps the Dino name was being continued as a tribute to Enzo Ferrari's late son Alfredo 'Dino' Ferrari, who has been given credit for instigating the V-6-engined competition cars that also bear his name.
The 308 GT4 is not a luxurious 2+2 because of its limited space, but like many 2+2's before it, is quite satisfactory for short, around-town use for four persons. It would only be suitable for travel for two plus luggage.
However today, I believe the 308 GT-4 is finally coming into it’s own. Total production was 2,826 of which, probably half that came to the US and very few are left. And compared to the total 308GTS/GTB Production (12,309 from 1976 through 1985), the GT-4’s are a rare bird. My first Ferrari was a GT-4 and at the time, I always longed for a GTB or a GTS, however today the opposite is true. I love the GT-4’s. They out handle their brethren and are much more comfortable to drive. It’s a true enthusiast’s car. Plus the styling is unique and it’s details (ie., rear ¼’s) are beautiful. And again, it’s a rare bird.
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