The Ferrari 308 GT4 Committed A Major Sin.. Is It Time To Forgive?
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- čas přidán 2. 06. 2024
- There are a couple of Ferraris that were never accepted the 308 GT4 is one of them. It’s biggest problem was that it wasn’t designed by Pininfarina or looked like a traditional Ferrari. But also it was Ferrari’s first V8 and badged as a Dino. In my drive today I examine whether this mid é g ones 2+2 is true Ferrari or not.
- Auta a dopravní prostředky
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Speaking as a person who is fairly sick of 'Ferrari hubris,' I think the GT4 is fantastic and remains fixed in the list of very few Fezzas I'd like to own. And yes, I do like how it looks! 👍👍👍
..yeah, I find that while not initially exciting, it does grow on you with time.
Me, too. I really like Bertones design and I say: Fuck all these idiots, who blabber around some silly "sin" nonsense.
yeah I am another who has always loved them. I also liked the original Rambler Javelin which was another car that wasn't really popular.
This may sound strange to some but this is the only Ferrari I'd consider owning. I think it looks fab
I love this car look b
I feel the same. Good visibility, not fussy inside, a proper road car and a great representation of ‘70s design. Both Dinos are the business. Sure the ‘proper’ Ferraris are gorgeous things, good investments, but to just drive around and have fun this is better. I’d much prefer it to a same era 911. I’m kicking myself for not buying a decent one at $35k just 5 yrs ago. I considered it as a daily but without good A/C here you arrive in a puddle. Plus it’s still a Ferrari so reliability is always an issue.
i feel the same
Same
It's beautiful.
I'm with you here, I believe.👍
My mums best friend had one, her husband couldn’t be bothered driving it. Used to get picked up from school in it in small-ish town Australia and kids would say it’s not a Ferrari simply because it wasn’t a testarossa which is the only one they knew. She used it as a daily driver easily and got plenty of compliments. One other story, she was driving with my mum and my dad was crossing the street with his national managers in their suits… “look at the babes in the Ferrari”, “ that’s no babe, that’s my wife”. Had the desired effect of a Ferrari.
The misunderstanding with the GT4 was that people mistakenly thought it was the replacement for the 246 because the GTB release was delayed due to quality issues they were having with the fiberglass body. But the GT4 was meant to be an entirely different model to compete against the Lamborghini Urraco and the Maserati Merak which were both 2+2 mid engined cars that came out around 1970-71. Obviously there was a market for a 2+2 because Ferrari continued to build the GT4 up until 1993 - although it got a Pininfarina body in 1980 and was renamed the Mondial. There is in fact evidence that the 308 GTB was intended to be badged as a Dino before they decided to abandon the brand, possibly due to the market reaction to the GT4 but more likely just due the financial condition of Ferrari at the time.
It was an answer to the 911.
@@christianfelske3005 True, the 911 had a back seat as well although, as with the GT4, it's more of an elaborately upholstered package shelf in reality.
the GTB vetroresina is my one of two ferrari´s because i also bought it cheap ,in 78
Great video -- like you, I love the 308GT4. Other mid-engined 2+2's: the Lamborghini Uracco, the Maserati Merak (I believe), and, of course, the GT4's successor, the Mondial. I love them all.
This car is the first Ferrari I bought ( new from auto Becker In Dusseldorf) 1978 .
A fantastic car , never a problem, handed like a dream and quick in 78 .
Personally I think it looks much better than the
Crappy 308 GTB and 328. ( Had both)
The styling has not become stale like the latter
In fact I think it has become even more desirable.
I ran this car in Germany from new , covered 75000 km without a hitch just the normal servicing by Becker. In those days it was a Porsche eater , great fun as the Germans in those days did not know what a Ferrari was ( comments daily, what is that funny looking car )
They only became interested in the Michael Schumacher days.
Thanks for the video
The Dino name came about as the 2.0L V6 engine was designed by Ferrari's son, Alfredo (Dino) the year before his death. Ten years later it powered the 206 Dino and the second iteration of this engine enlarged to 2.4L powered the 246 Dino. The third was the 308 V8 which debuted in the GT4. The blue "Dino" script and border and the yellow background of the badge reflect the colors of Modena. I owned a Mondial after our kids were born (no room in the 512BBi) an highly competent but equally unloved Ferrari Jack. Excellent episode!
The engine was designed by Jano
@@psk5746 V6 Dino...
I always loved the Mondial but it's mechanical reputation far outweighed it's lovely design - I still love it
There was a Fiat Dino Ferrari equipped with The V 6 of Ferrari.
A little masterpiece of italian design late sixties.
Here we are anyway
it.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_Dino
V6 2,4 liter 180 hp if I’m not wrong
The side profile is one of the greatest for any car I think. It's perfection.
that's the funny thing. Back in the day it wasnt known as a great looking Ferrari but there are angles on this thing that are unbelievable. The side profile is Stratus.
Side profile is just right, and from the rear, perfectly proportioned lights. Hard to fault this geogeous car at any angle.
Back in the day there were herds of idiots following others ....just like today. Back then they were called celebrities and now they are called influencers. I'm with you:PERFECTION.
To me it has aged superbly, looks a stunning car rear lights apart.
Hahaha. I actualy like the rear lights. The car honestly looks better on photos than in person though. It's looks great from low down but even at my height (5'4" or so) it doesn't look fantastic looking down on it 😅
Only prob for me is that if you squint it looks like you ordered a stratos from wish
@@lasskinn474 you win the internet tonight :)
The rear looks just fine. Looks like DeTomasso.
Oh gosh, he mentioned the Mondial. What a freaking mess that car was, probably the worst car of Ferrari's cheese grater era. Hate all of them, gosh, maybe the testosterone rose was worse. The Mondial was at least dull enough to ignore 🤠.
I agree Jack, for a 50 year old design these look great and have aged very well.
"I think they look absolutely brilliant." I agree Jack. I think it is a bold design that has aged very well. People have to remember this wasn't sold as the end all be all of performance. This was a car for folks like old Man Enzo to drive and in that regard, wow is it special. Great Vid 27.
Old man Enzo wasn't a fan of Ferrari car ownership himself, balked at the cost of them, drove a Fiat instead. I do like the look of them all said and done...
@@gulfstream7235 Well as I hear it, many times, he did use a 330 GT 2+2 for a time. There are a few pics of him getting in and out but as its told not for a long stint or anything.
@@gulfstream7235Enzo liked driving a Fiat 128 coupè around Modena because it was smaller & easier to drive down those narrow streets than in one of his own. He did like 2+2 GTs though.
Supposedly this was one of Enzo's favorite designs for a road car. He really didn't want to produce the road cars, so that isn't saying a whole lot.
I've always liked their looks - guess I'm a fan of '70s angular wedge styling - definitely top of my list of 'lottery win' Ferraris :)
As a non Ferrari enthusiast I think this looks like a perfect car. I just love it. I’m surprised more movies don’t have it as the leads preferred ride. Bond has his db5, magnum his 308, John wick his mustang, some movie or tv series hero would rock with this cool
Choice
It features prominently in a daft Punk video where they are both wearing robotic looking outfits - close enough I would say :-)
I've never driven one. I probably never will. The "anti" argument is not unlike that which holds that the 'Sud is not a real Alfa. The Dino badge of the early models didn't help. I rather like them. There was no such snobbery about the 206 or the 246. As with those, the model number didn't equate to the swept volume of a single piston. The real surge of snobbery came in the late 80s classic boom. Everyone had to be an expert and had to know more than everyone else... Viewed as a stand alone model against its contemporaries, it is a lively thing. A very lovely thing.
There IS no such snobbery with the 246, but once upon a time there certainly was.
Well said i love it and the controversy around it and its a well balanced design. Especially being a 2+2 and that sound at start up has me sold. I want one!
The 206 & 246 were 2Litre V6 & 2.4Litre V6
@@saxon-mt5by Up to a point. When the original Dino and later the 2.4 emerged, cars of that type were so rare that anything foreign, red and mid-engined turned heads and elicited gasps. Production figures for all the Italian sports-car makers were very low. And RHD numbers a fraction of that. So on the UK, the 206 and 246 really weren't the object of snobbery. Niton the way the 308 2+2 was, even after it became a Ferrari. I speak of the UK market. I know little of any other.
Bizarrely (or perhaps not) the fashion for replacing Dino badging for Ferrari badging has gone into reverse. The Dino name of the originals now has some "early production cachet and the Dino badges are reappearing. Somehow the 206 and 246 didn't draw the scorn. Maybe it was the heritage of the engine. Maybe is was the beauty of the design. Maybe it was the purity or novelty of the concept. A few (very few) people sniffed and muttered something about it not being a 12. But it wasn't ever a magnet of popular disdain on the way the poor 308 was.
i have always admired the design of the gt4. i came THIS close to getting one in 1974. that said, they are still selling for 25 grand, which is exactly the same as the msrp back in the day!
These looked pretty amazing on the road in '75 when I first saw one, and I'll never forget the sound of that wonderful mid-rear DOHC engine. To my eyes it looks similar to the Esprit S1, coincidence or not.
Like the Esprit but much more solid
You beat me to it - so obviously an Esprit from the front and none the worse for it.
Like many Ferraris, when you see them in the flesh, you stop and stare. This is a beautiful car. The 400 for goodness sake looks great in the flesh.
I owned a 308GT4 in 1975 which replaced a 246GT !! Everyone at the time thought I was mad. I didn't think so. To me it gripped the road and handled better than the 246. It didn't sound as good as a 246 and didn't have the charisma. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I thought and still think the 308GT is a good looking car and certainly was more practical than the 246. I re[laced it in 1976 with a 308GTB ( A fiberglass bodied car) which was not good.
I bought my US-spec, ‘75 GT4 in 1985. It was well used (around 70K miles), but I paid $16K for it. US bumpers were hideous and very heavy. Otherwise I loved it over the 20 years I owned it. I rebuilt the suspension and engine. Took it on one cross-country 2500 mile trek and several 500 miles trips all without drama. Worst practical aspect was that wipers were absolutely worthless at highway speeds! If I could find a nice one with euro bumpers and reasonably priced I’d buy it. Thanks for another excellent review and video.
you wouldn't want to have to use the rear seats though!
@@ianmontgomery7534 indeed very few GT 2+2 cars were actually useable as anything but a two seater...my 70' Alfa GTV much the same...I ended up taking the rear seats out and making the rear seating area into a nice carpeted Luggage area with leather straps and a small tool storage space under the floor.
Would it be big hassle to convert the horrid US bumpers to the Euro's ?
Try Bring-a-Trailer. You can set up an alert and wait for your spec to appear.
Good Luck!
@@noelsalisbury7448I think it requires some welding.
Brilliant design/amazing proportions. Looks so modern even by todays standards!
Mondial is probably even more unique with the T and the last year ones that had the engine turned from longitudinal to transverse....also the fact it was a 2+2, 4 seat, mid engine, V8, *cabrio*
Insane, kind of charmingly ugly car...but really cool.
Gordon Murray owns a 308 GT4 and it's one of his only cars that is over 1000kgs, breaking a rule of his. That oughta tell you how good it is!
i never though of the GT4 and Mondial as particularily ugly . it's just because the GTS/GTB/GTO are so damn beautiful.
And yes, in that era Pininfarina made more beautiful cars then Bertone.
as for mid engined 4 seaters:
net much else out there but the 911 and the Alpine A310/GT-V6 /A610 did sorta the same job.
@@jfv65 You might be right!
Though supposedly, bar the GTO, they drive worse than the GT4 and the Mondial so even if you were the sort of person to think they're ugly, you're rewarded with a better driving experience.
Good shout for the A310 etc.. Highly underrated cars.
@@jfv65 I don't know though...something a lot of pininfarina's have that Bertone's don't have is the fact they tend to age less well. Whereas a lot of Pininfarina stuff ends up either stale due to their overuse of the same designs across brands or because at some point their dramatic flair becomes aged and loses the refinement it ones ought to have had (308,328), bertone designs usually tend to age better due to the simplicity and crispness of their designs.
@@jfv65 The 911 and the Alpines all offered 2+2 accommodation but they are all rear engined, not mid.
With the Mondial t the engine was actually turned from transverse to longitudinal. Also, most Mondials were coupes, although for the t it was about 50/50😊
The Dino 246 GTS was considered the same at one time, I remember back in 1997 you could pick one up for 25k, how times have changed.
Still a lot of money for what you got in 1997 , must of been cheaper again in the 80s
@@LOTPOR0402
Try 4 to 6k in 1985
@@paulie-Gualtieri. I can remember these prices and thinking Billy bargain.
@@paulie-Gualtieri. Probably not much less to what it was new in the 70s
@@paulie-Gualtieri. Heh..heh
The Gandini wedge shows through beautifully.
Thanks for the video Jack. I also believe that the 308GT4 is an underappreciated Ferrari. The Bertone styling only makes it more unique. Don't forget that the Mondial was also a mid-engine 4-seater.
Since first seeing one as a kid, late 70s in NZ, has always been a favourite. Think the design is remarkable given what it was packaging. That was proved by the woeful Pininfarina effort, the Mondial, that eventually replaced it
Thanks for the video and many thanks for keeping the editing tight and the length of your videos down to nice digestible 10 minute chunks. It's much appreciated!
Lovely review of a lovely car Jack. Like you, i have always quite liked the GT4, and honestly think that people who hate them simply do not understand what it is. I also think this is mainly why they have appreciated in value the way they did in the last few years, because only now people are sort of starting to understand them, and see the appeal of a 4 seat Ferrari.
It looks a lot better than the disliked Mondiale !
The Mondial and the Maserati Merak were also mid engined 2+2s
Growing up while I was getting my first dubious cars, there was an ‘old’ guy down the street that always chatted cars with me. He was on the lookout for one when he came across a ‘79 308. He also had a Lotus Elite, Fiat X1/9 sitting in his driveway. One day when I came home from school, my Mom commented that ‘some guy in a fancy red car was taking measurements of your Mini’. A few days later, I came home to a hand made, form fitted car cover!
Ben was an ultimate car guy, and he liked them. They had to be good…
My fave 'Ferrari' of all time, those perfect chiseled lines and the genius Marcello Gandini at his very best. Also one of the roomiest, easiest to own, run and work on. These were littering the classifieds at sub 20k for years and not that long ago.. I wish I had bought one.
I fully concur with everything you have said here. My uncle had one of these when I was a kid. And every time I see one now it sends shivers through me.
Gandini brilliance…. yes. And they were, for a time, so cheap. I got talked out of buying one because the maintenance and insurance would be more than the car in two years. Instead, I said, “I will send the kid to college so she has no loans.” Should have made her take out the loans! What a waste 🤣
Thanks for posting. I've always appreciated the design and prefer the early Dino badged cars . I like 2+2 design and the fact it's midengine is brilliant.
I drove one on a trip down to Devon and Cornwall from London. It was... an adventure! The turning circle was so bad I could barely get it around some bends in small towns, it also needed to have the oil checked 15 minutes after parking up on a flat surface thanks to the dry sump, but get it on a flowing bit of road and WOW! The glove box was hilarious - it sort of flips over so you end up with a flat mirrored surface for the passenger for ... erm .. party powder? It was from the 70s after all.
Nice review of my favourite Ferrari. GT4’s look and sound incredible. Very aggressive styling, more like a Lamborghini. The dash is very similar to an LP400 Countach, same designer.
The dash is very similar to the 246 Dino - same manufacturer!
Gandini drew the gt4 and Urraco at much the same time, although the Urraco was shown first. I think they both look great, but the Ferrari has better interior, especially the instruments.
I have owned a 308GT4 for 40 years and I love the car as much today as I did when I bought it. My experience with track days shows that my car has all the spirit of the famous 12-cylinder cars. The more powerful cars would leave me down the straight but I was right on their rear through the twisty stuff. It really pissed off a few of the powerful car owners and that made me smile
I've always had a soft spot for them. To me they have aged better than the 308 (visually) and look light years better than the awkward Mondial. They certainly have strong Stratos cues and as Geoff LC said, there is def a nod to the S1 Esprit too.. But along with the 348 I find them very compelling and underrated Ferraris.
Very good video Jack. I used to own a 1977 version in the early 80's and can remember what a fantastic fun car it was back then.
Great video and so nice to see someone give an honest appraisal of a very underrated car. I owned my 1978 GT4 for 13 years, absolutely loved driving it and it was also relatively affordable to run. I still see it regularly as I know the current owner and I just love following it down the road, it looks and sounds absolutely fantastic!
The original Dinos also had a transverse engine and gearbox arrangement. The extra 8 inches in the chassis, together with a shorter boot, gave the space for the rear seats, not the bigger engine. Production actually continued all the way to 1979, and some cars were registered in 1980. It was of course replaced by the obvious example of another mid-engined 2+2, the Mondial series.
I put 40k miles on one of these back in the day and loved it. The clutch and gearchange were perfect, but individual cars do vary as you say. The brakes were a bit rubbish in stopping power on the standard pads but much better on EBC Red Stuff.
Yes, the duct from the air-intake on the right C-pillar to the air cleaner is for some reason missing; it would sound and run better with it in place.
Things to look out for? The interior and the electrics are a little 'fragile' and an upgraded fuse box is worthwhile. Any electrical gremlins may be down to poor earths as Ferrari tended to not use earth wires but rely on return via a self tapper into the body.
A healthy car is great to drive and handles a little better at the limit for us amateurs than the 2-seaters due to the longer wheelbase. Put it this way, people still race them in the FOC classic series and have a great time doing it.
I've always thought they looked great, great vid Jack you are certainly reviewing some great interesting cars these days, all the best.👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🇬🇧
In 1981, I had helped friends replace batteries, alternators and starter by then. I went to NY to visit and over a couple days I helped my older brother rebuild the engine in one of these. I was the parts washer. Had to keep everything in the same order. As he put it back together I got to ask all kinds of questions. A few months later we refreshed a Datsun 510 engine and I was on my way, not just down South in the US, but working on my own cars. What a lesson!!
I'd never noticed Stratos cues in the GT4, but now you've said it, I absolutely can. In fact, it's now hard not to see it.
It's such a pretty car and beautifully proportioned.
Great to see Jack, thanks. In recent years, these are starting to get the appreciation they deserve. Great cars and they came in some really interesting colors besides the typical Ferrari red. I'd love to restore one if I got the opportunity, especially an early model with full Dino badging.
I agree with some of the previous posts , the Merak has to be one of the best of all time designs, with the stratos running it a close second.
Growing up as a kid I always thought of the GT4 as an ugly duckling.
Now I’m older in age , and I can see the original concept. I just see a thing of sheer beauty.
I bought one during 1988 in Australia for about A$45K back then. I owned it for seven years and loved it to death even winning fastest lap of the day for 2+2 Class at Amaroo Park, Sydney. A much underrated car and every inch a real Ferrari. A 'baby' Ferrari sure, but a true GT and superb long distance tourer: Toronto, Lake Macquarie to Collaroy in just 1:15m via the F3 at 135-150MPH. Those were the days!
I owned a '79 Ferrari GT4, Series II, Chassis# 15234, Rosso Chiaro ext. w/ Connelly Leather Light Biege int. & a Factory Sunroof. The cab-forward layout gave the driver an obstructed view of the road, improving cornering speed & handling. I did add some improvements without changing it's overall Stock visual appearance. 1) ANSA Exhaust. 2) 1984 308, 16" staggered Star Wheels & HP Tires. 3) Frt/Rr Crossdrilled/Slotted Rotors, EBC Pads, SS Brakelines & Motul 600 Fluid. 4) K& N Airfilter. 5) Single Point Twin Distributors w/ Petronics Digital Points. I purchased my GT4 in 1984 w/ 7k miles for $30k, and Sold in 2010 w/ 40k miles for $42k, w/ all OEM wheels, Tires, Exhaust, etc.. Just recently my GT4 was listed For Scale on Hemmings.com, in Dubi for $90k. I was a member if the Ferrari North America Club, and Won 1,2 & 3rd in Class at Concourse d'Eligance Events. At Club Events I also got to Drive my GT4 on a few Racetracks; Lime Rock, Bridge Hampton & Watkins Glen. For 26 years I always enjoyed Driving & Listening to the 308 Engine w/ ANSA Exhaust Note!👍🇺🇸
Great looking cars. My only experience is a couple of laps on a charity airfield day, crammed into passenger seat - owner driver threw it all over the place & it just stuck to the road & went very well round corners!
Thanks for video & memories Jack! 🙏
I used to have one of these 20 years ago , it had had a full restoration by JCT 600 and was a beauty as far as I was concerned lovely to drive and own . I used to keep it in my fully red carpeted double garage at my house in Oxfordshire and some evenings I would sit in a deckchair in the garage to just look at it . And of course it was Rosso with a light tan leather interior . I loved it !!
Thanks for reviewing my dream car! Of all Ferraris ever made, this is the one I'd have. Of course I have owned several Bertone X1/9s, so this makes sense. I am happy to see your wonderful review of this beutiful, underapreciated car!
308 GTS 'Magnum Pi' was a real beauty. Rear lights looked so nice.
The sound of that V8 on full song was the best intro, of all time.
Nice review and I have to agree. Back in the 1990s I owned a Dino badged '74 model with the twin distributor engine and had great fun with it. Handled lovely, plenty of steering feel and a really willing engine. Pedals were great for heeling and toeing. Regretted selling it when I moved up to racing a more expensive formula car. Mind you that avoided me having to address some of the rust issues nibbling around the edges! 😃
The tail lights evolved from the first URRACO prototype. And they look FANTASTIC. The second urraco prototype was VERY related to the X1-9.
I had a drive in one of these in central London. It inadvertently did 13.. mumble mumble in a London park one afternoon. Absolutely delightful.
I owned one for over 20 years. It didn't require any more maintenance than any other 20 year old car. I had to do points, condensers, plugs & leads, and tires & pads when I got it (cheap through aftermarket sources) and after that, regular oil & filter, & a few belt changes until 18 years later when the carbs needed attention. Float needles were 'repointed' (brass) by chucking them in a drill press and dressing them with a stone until the seat grooves were gone. Reset the float heights a bit higher than factory (to eliminate the stumble when cornering), and balanced them with a thin hose from ear to venturi (more accurate than the sync device I bought). It was dead simple. Also had to rebuild the water pump at this time. Less than $15.00 in 2 bearings and a seal from a bearing supply company.
I didn't like the looks of it when I first saw it, but quickly came to appreciate its clean, uncluttered lines, and think its a much better design than the Pininfarina 308.
Jack is 100% spot on as far as driving it is concerned. Only sold mine because I was getting to the point of having to enter & exit on my hands & knees (joke).
A great, totally underrated car!
I think it's a lovely looking car Jack, both inside and out. As you say the dash is excellent and so unique looking. The only thing that I can see in your video is 'Jacks Bend' that needs resurfacing by the local authority haha. Thanks again Jack for sharing your experiences. Regards, Bob M.
Liked & Subscribed. I'm off to check the rest of your work. A fine review. My favorite Ferrari
I’ve always thought these were fantastic looking cars but then I was a young boy during the 70’s and grew up loving wedge cars like this, the Urraco, the stunning Alfa Carabo etc 😊
I wasn't really aware of this model, being familiar with the 'Magnum P.I.' 308 gtb. Man, i'm amazed by this underdogged beautiful Ferarri ! Stunning...and a great review. I can feel your passion.👍😉
Great video Jack....glad you put the oddballs behind.....
The Lamborghini Uracco was a direct competitor to the 308GT4 and had a rather similar profile, although the Lambo had those cool louvers over the rear. I always loved them both because performance that you can use on a road trip without compromising what stuff you take with you. I'd have one of either (or both) in a heartbeat.
The 208gt4 was my first Ferrari I ever worked on and drove, a big go cart with a 5 spd , low to the ground, it was awesome to drive, I was 17 years old at that time, I wouldn’t mind owning one , better than some of the newer models.
Always loved the sharp lines and do not understand why it is so controversial.
Another unloved Ferrari which I also admired is the 365 GTC/4. You don't see these featured very often either.
Great video, keep them coming!
Absolutely lovely Jack. I’d have that car in a heartbeat! From certain angles (around the front) it reminded me of the Uracco, another stunning 70s car. And who doesn’t adore a pop-up headlight. 😍
Totally agree, my all time favourite, sadly overlooked by many. The badging was always just uneducated noise.
Thanks for the honest appraisal
Brilliant video! I too prefer the dashboard layout of the Dino. Better than my 328, for sure. I don't mind the Bertone styling, but the tail lights do look out of place. Other than that, it's a pretty car.
I agree with your sentiment. I've always been a big fan of all Bertone designs. The red over black is a bit too cliche. I hope to be able to afford one some day. Thank you.
Another Great film Jack!!! I always think they have a bit of Lotus in term of looks!!!
Jack, you are trawling through my history of beloved Italian cars! Alfasud (two of those), Alfetta GTV (two again) the Busso V6s (164 and 3.0 75), X1/9 (two of those). Never had a GT4, although I knew two very well through family and a friend respectively: the latter's kitchen table was occupied for some time by the engine in bits. You did neglect to mention the exterior door handles, shared with the X1/9, Uracco, Stratos, and just about everything else Bertone did in period. I am pretty sure that the fundamentals of the seats were shared with the GTV. Very comfortable. I have memories of a wonderful long drive in a 308.
Not too much wrong with this but THE absolutely drop-dead gorgeous Dino is the Fiat Dino Spider.
Agree, I love the styling. Not crazy about rear taillights, but that's about it. Should have been twin round units maybe? The side silhouette is brilliant. Sounds beautiful too! I'll take it! After having two X1\9's, mid engine cars are my favorites! 👍😎
Test drove one of these many years ago that was going for a song mid 90s
It was rough and had some rust and was top of my budget and being mid 20s wasn’t sure I would ever get insured, remember it was horrible to drive in my inexperienced hands, ended up buying a Subaru Legacy turbo instead for the same money which was nearly new and so much more fun, can’t imagine how you feel it’s so different to drive
As a 308 GT4 owner, enthusiast, and historian, I agree with your assessment on this car! 😀
You're right, the 308 GT4 belongs to a VERY small club when it comes to mid-engine 2+2 cars, but there is more than just the Evora. Here's the complete list I've come up with:
Dino 308 GT4
Lamborghini Urraco
Maserati Merak
Ferrari Mondial
Lotus Evora
Some people claim the Koenigsegg Gemera, but that's actually a four seater (which is different than a 2+2), so it doesn't count.
You could add the Iso Lele to that list!
@@christophergavin9188 - I had never heard of the Iso Lele before, so thanks for turning me on to a car I hadn't seen! I don't think Iso was ever too popular in the United States, we miss out on a lot of cool cars. However, from what I found, the Iso Lele is a front engine four seater, not at mid-engine 2+2. Although, the car was designed by the the person who designed the 308 GT4, so that's very cool!
Thank you Jack, lovely review and beautiful Ferrari!
Couldn't agree more. Still own mine after 22 years. Great for long trips around the country side.
Great video as always Jack
Thanks chap! Really enjoyed driving it!
With Mr Gandini, all is forgiven, not that anything needs forgiving. I always thought of these as Ferrari's, from the styling to the sound of the V8, and of course in this case, the colour. They also look very appealing in a bright yellow.
You used to be able to pick up a 308 GT4 for £5-£10k in the mid-90s as absolutely nobody wanted them. I remember Classic and Sportcar constantly banging on about how they would rocket up in value. It’s never quite done the rocket but at least it’s being appreciated.
One of my favorite cars ever. Back in 2002 I was going to buy a 1974 model that was imported into the US as a track car (no radio, no side mirrors). It was car #76 produced and only had 7k miles on. The person I was buying it from took a deposit and then sold it out from under me 3 days later! Thankfully I did get the deposit back.
It turns out it was a good thing as in reality it needed way too much work. The person I was buying it from had picked it up after it had sat neglected in a university’s backlot for nearly 2 decades.
I was lucky enough to own one of these for 4 years. A fantastic car. I loved just about everything about it, especially the hand built quality and beautiful Italian design. Brilliant to drive. Wish I still had it, but at least I will always have the memories of it.
I think the looks are wonderful from behind it looks a little like Maserati Khamsin same masterpiece of Gandini and I believe the Lamborghini Urraco,Maserati Merak ,Lotus Evora and Ferrari Mondial have the same 2+2 mid engine layout and remember in the 70’s car designs where atrocious this car looks fabulous keep up the great job on these classic masterpieces
A beautiful little car, I remember you could get one for 5k in the 80s.
Beautiful balanced shape. Always loved them. Better than an Uracco although those are nice too.
I quite like the styling which looks very mid 70's Lotus from some angles. Sounds pretty good too and all the reports I've heard suggest its good to drive though not keen on the door handle which looks like it was taken from a Morris Marina.
Love them, I had a 208 gt4 in the 70s which had fiat twin cam engine from memory, it really flew dispite that.
Driving position long arms short legs for someone of 6'3" took some getting used to.
Gordon Murray has one. Nuff said. Except that particular car may need new clutch or adjustments.. shouldn’t be too heavy.
Definitely my favourite Ferrari. Just love the looks. So well resolved and with a certain aggression.
I’ve had three 308 GT4’s. In 1985, 1986, & 2000. The 1985 needed work! The 1986 I loved and did 70k miles in it, sold it & bought it back! Then I had a tax bill to pay so I sold it. In 2000 my dealer had a 19year old car with 19k miles on it and 19 year old tyres! After 1500 miles it needed new tyres. This low milage car had to have a top end of the engine rebuilt & all new suspension all because of it’s lack of use. I couldn’t afford it! I sold it!
Now I’ve a 1988 Mondial 3.2 Coupe with ABS. This car isn’t as much fun to drive as a good 308GT4 but it has never given me a bad moment either. The lack of ABS on a GT4 put me into a heart-stopping moment a few times. I might be a rubbish driver though! I had a Mondial 3.4t before the 3.2 & no one says the engine has to come out on servicing those!! The 3.2 is less costly to run and has a decent turn of speed. It’s now done 73,800 miles & no problems. I bought it in 2019 at 66,500 miles. I love it. I test drove a Roma recently & the Mondial is better in every way!
What a good review. I’d like to see you compare this with a 3.2 Mondial or maybe the T. 👍
Totally agree! Love the ”different” look! Greetings from Stockholm Sweden.
One of my personal faves. I love Bertone. 365 BB, 308 GTS and this car are the defining Ferraris. I really don't care what the purists say.I have driven a few and 308 was my fav.
These are my favorite of the 308 series. Wonderful video. You might want to consider selling Influenzo and get this.
That’s a lovely looking car from its era, great to see and learn about. Thanks Jack.
Awesome car. A Ferrari is still a Ferrari. Nice video. Keep up the good work.
thought you had done a RHD conversion for a minute.
i hate LHD, probably something to do with taking a central pedestrian refuge out with a borrowed 70s mustang a long time ago.... took 6 months to pay the lad back, don't do 1/3 party insurance, it bites you on the bum. keep up the good work young man
I always liked these and regret not buying one when it was reasonable to buy.
One of my favourite Ferrari designs. Up there with the Espada for peak 70’s wedge design
It's interesting how the looks have changed. When these cars were current I thought they were dreadful. Now I really like the looks, at least until I see a 1960s Dino.
I think it's a super car, just a little old now for me to buy after some years of being out of favour. Just bought a Mondial T, which of course is also a 2+2...
A very nice looking car to me Jack. That review really makes me want one!