1977 Ferrari Dino 308 GT4

Highlights

• Desirable 308GT4 model

• Beautifully restored to a high standard

• 1 of just 2,826 produced for all markets

• Genuine RHD model

• Extensive service and maintenance records

Overview

With its achingly cool wedge silhouette, styled by Bertone, a classically sonorous Ferrari V8 and mid-engine 2+2 layout, it’s a wonder that the 308GT4 isn’t more widely regarded as one of Ferrari’s most interesting and desirable models. Of course, with 70s styling very much on-trend and earlier Ferraris now verging on unobtainable, collectors are rapidly coming to appreciate the delights of this handsome machine.

There’s certainly much to admire. Squeezing a mid-engined 3-litre V8 behind a 2+2 layout in a relatively small footprint is some trick – making it look as good as the 308GT4 does is bordering on miraculous. With a wonderfully angular aesthetic and such period details as quad pop-up lights, it’s a great looking vehicle from any angle. Thankfully, the driving experience is just as bewitching, dominated as it is by that melodious V8 and the tactile click-clack of the classic H-gate transmission.

Of course, we’re talking about a vehicle that is nearly 50 years of age, so it’s good to know that this example has been comprehensively restored, inside and out. With a large folder of history detailing a life of meticulous servicing and maintenance, as well as a documented restoration carried out between 2008-2017, you can have confidence that the beauty here is not just skin deep.

We think the 308GT4 is a great car, one that’s rapidly gaining recognition amongst collectors and enthusiasts. And this is one of the handsomest examples we’ve seen. If you’ve ever hankered after a classic Ferrari, and what petrolhead hasn’t, then we really don’t think you can do much better than this elegant, rare and exhilarating gem.

History and documentation

• First registered 27 January 1977

• 1 of 2,826 produced worldwide

• Genuine RHD model

• Current owner since August 2008

• 13,491 miles on a 5-figure odometer

• Extensive collection of invoices and old MOT certificates (1998-2008), detailing many years of comprehensive servicing and maintenance

• Documented restoration between 2008-2017, including significant bodywork and a full engine rebuild

• Some spares are provided with the car (e.g. trim pieces and light lenses)

• Garaged by the owner 99% of the time since restoration, and only driven out on dry days

• One set of keys

• Historic vehicle - VED and MOT exempt

• V5 present in owner’s name

• London ULEZ exempt

Interior

• During the restoration, the interior was reupholstered in fresh crema leather

• All of the upholstery is in excellent condition, with no notable wear or damage we could see

• The rear offers two deeply sculpted seats

• New red carpets are fitted through the cabin, and present in superb order

• Ribbed crema leather headlining, with no evidence of damage, sagging or wear

• Electric windows work well, if a little slowly

• The air conditioning has been removed 

• Handsome black, thin-rimmed steering wheel shows minimal evidence of wear from use

• Iconic tall H-gate shifter

• Polished stainless steel sill guards

• All of the instrumentation and switchgear appears to be in fine fettle, with clear dial faces and no fading or damage apparent

• The interior trim and brightwork all looks to be present and correct, wearing an attractive and gentle level of patina

• We’re assured that everything in the cabin works just as it should, with no faults or issues reported

• There is a small boot to the rear, behind the engine, which is perfect for a couple of overnight bags

Exterior

• Originally supplied as a blue car, it was resprayed in its current red hue in 1982

• The paintwork is in great condition, with a few minor blemishes as you’d expect, but nothing that would cause us concern

• The vendor notes a small blister (about 1cm) on the near-side rear wing

• During the restoration, the body was stripped, any rust was cut out and new metal let in as needed – this included new door skins, wing and arch sections

• Overall the bodywork is in fine condition, with good alignment, neat panel gaps and no signs of damage or corrosion that we could discern

• New door seals have been fitted

• Pop-up headlamps with quad lenses

• All of the trim and badging looks to be present, correct and undamaged

• The external brightwork wears a warm, light patina with some mild speckling in a few places

• Underneath the car looks to be in superb condition, with straight floors and sills, clean suspension components and no notable corrosion or damage on show

• It rides on the correct 14-inch ‘Cromodora’ wheels, finished in silver, which are in good order with no kerb damage or lacquer peel we could see

• A matched set of 205/70 Fulda tyres is fitted, and all look to have good tread levels and clean sidewalls

Mechanical

• 2,926 cc naturally-aspirated, quad-cam, 90-degree V8

• 4x twin-choke Weber 40DCNF carbs

• 5-speed manual transmission

• Mid-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive

• 1,150 kg kerbweight, claimed 255 bhp when new

• Disc brakes all round (newly fitted during restoration)

• Independent wishbone suspension all round, with front and rear anti-roll bars

• New springs, dampers and bushes fitted, suspension components powder-coated for longevity

• Stainless steel exhaust system

• New fuel tank fitted in 2018 

• Full engine rebuild during restoration, with all seals and rubbers replaced, as well as many of the fixings and ancillaries

• Uprated electronic ignition for reliability

• Choke cable removed during restoration – car starts well and runs smoothly once warmed

• Under-bonnet plastic cowl supplied but not fitted

• The car sounds fantastic, with that classic V8 burble rising to a spine-tingling crescendo

• The vendor tells us that the car starts, idles and runs very well, with no mechanical issues they are aware of

Summary

It’s unusual to describe any Ferrari as ‘under-appreciated’, but we think that’s exactly what the 308GT4 is. We adore the period styling details, and we defy anyone not to fall in love with that fabulously evocative V8 as it snorts and roars through those quad Webers.

As with any classic, finding a good example is the key – and we think this one looks like an absolute cracker. Restored carefully, with great attention to detail and no expense spared, it looks brilliant and goes as well as it looks. The cabin has been sympathetically brought back to its best, offering a dashingly debonair environment to lounge in as you whip along sun-dappled country lanes to the mellifluous tones of that peachy powertrain.

Yes, we might be getting a bit poetic there, but that’s the kind of car this is – it even reduces hardened automotive writers to misty-eyed idealism. It’s a deeply lovely thing, and we’re very, very jealous of whoever walks away with it.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Barnet, London.