1978 FERRARI DINO 308 GT4

KEY FACTS

• A characterful 1970s sports car, which has been well maintained throughout its life and has genuine low mileage.
• It is powered by the flat-plane crank 2.9-litre F106AL V8, producing around 250bhp, with rear-wheel drive via a five-speed manual transmission.
• The car has covered just 53,593 miles from new, which is well documented in an excellent history file, as shown in the gallery.
• The car was acquired by the seller nearly seven years ago, and its complete ownership history is known. It also appeared on the cover of Classic & Sports Car in May 2016.

EQUIPMENT AND FEATURES

• The GT4 was Ferrari’s first V8 production car, and was given its unmistakable ‘wedge’ styling by Marcello Gandini at Bertone.
• Just 547 examples of the 308 GT4 are understood to have been built in right-hand drive, which makes it almost as rare in this configuration as the Dino 246 GT. While the Bertone styling marked a stark contrast to Pininfarina models, it is rightly regarded today as a clever, well-packaged 1970s design.
• This example was first registered in June 1978 and supplied by Emblem Sports Cars of Dorset. It is finished in handsome Blu Sera paintwork, and its interior is upholstered in cream leather with blue velour cloth centre panels for the seats and door panels.
• While many 308 GT4s have been upgraded with later wheels, this example wears the original style 14-inch Campagnolo alloys, shod in 205/70VR14 Vredestein Sprint Classic tyres.
• It left the factory equipped with electric windows and air conditioning, as well as a sunroof, and the car features a period-correct radio/cassette stereo.
• The steering wheel has been swapped for a period-correct Momo item trimmed in black leather.
• There was a documented speedometer change at 14,031 miles by Roach’s Garages Limited of Penzance, Cornwall; so the total mileage from new is 53,593 miles.
• It is accompanied by a detailed history summary, which references every known change of keeper, plus all the invoices that are on file. Overall, it provides an impressive record of the mileage accrual, and shows maintenance throughout the car’s life that includes well-known Ferrari specialists Rosneath Engineering, Foskers, Nick Cartwright, and Kent High Performance Cars.
• The original cloth wallet, handbook, and stamped warranty booklet are still with the car. There are also two keys, and a period-correct tool roll plus full-size spare wheel.
• This very car was featured on the cover and in a feature for Classic & Sports Car magazine’s May 2016 issue, where it was pitched against the Lamborghini Urraco and won.

CONDITION

• There is no known prior accident damage.
• The Blu Sera paintwork is reported to be in generally very good condition for its age, benefiting from a prior respray. There is some bubbling of the paint along the edge of the boot lid and above the rear ‘Cavallino’ badge, which should be straightforward to rectify in the future. Some bubbling is also noted on the right rear wheel arch, and minor rust on the driver’s door sill around a previous repair.
• There is some lifting of the paintwork around the alloy wheels, so these would also benefit from refurbishment to match the quality of the paintwork.
• Inside, the upholstery is in good order, showing signs of use but no heavy wear. There are minor marks in the trim that you would expect for a car nearly 45 years old, but it is in impressive and appealing condition.
• There are no known electrical faults.
• While the car is equipped with a sunroof, this has never been tested by the seller, and they are known to be temperamental.
• One of the tyres has a bulge in the sidewall indicating internal damage, so is in need of replacement, though the Vredestein tyres are in plentiful supply.
• The most recent MOT test was on 19 December 2017 at an indicated 39,294 miles (true 53,325 miles), which resulted in a pass with one advisory regarding a worn nearside rear tyre, after binding of the offside front brake was rectified. The car is exempt from mandatory MOT testing on the basis of age.

SERVICE HISTORY

• The most recent scheduled maintenance was carried out in March 2020 at 53,381 miles by Motorline Engineering. This comprised replacement of the cam belt, alternator belt, and air-conditioning belt, plus a minor service. The front stainless-steel exhaust manifold and gasket were also renewed, plus the heat shields for the front manifold and the downpipe.
• In December 2017 at 53,325 miles, Motorline Engineering gave the front brakes an overhaul, with rebuilt calipers using stainless-steel pistons, plus new discs and pads. The alternator was also rebuilt, and new bearings were fitted in the air-conditioning belt idler pulley.
• Ferrari specialist Rosneath Engineering carried out various works during 2016, including an annual engine oil and filter service, new gearbox oil, air filter, a new fuel filler pipe and oil temperature sender, and two new coolant hoses. They also installed an upgraded oil cooler, as well as new fuel hoses between the tank and balance pipe.
• Its clutch assembly was replaced at 46,025 miles by Kent High Performance Cars. While this work was carried out in 1992, the car has only covered just over 7,000 miles since then.

Dates and mileage:

• 18/07/1978 - 1,550-mile service (Emblem Sports Cars)
• 11/10/1978 - 3,000-mile service (Emblem Sports Cars)
• 31/05/1979 - 6,000-mile service (Emblem Sports Cars)
• 20/06/1980 - 12,500-mile service (Emblem Sports Cars)
• 07/07/1981 - Speedometer change at 14,031 miles (Roach’s Garages)
• 03/04/1982 - 16,103 miles (IHPF Ltd)
• 20/05/1982 - 17,031 miles (Chapman Spooner)
• 24/12/1982 - 21,482 miles (IHPF Ltd)
• 02/04/1983 - 24,781 miles (IHPF Ltd)
• 30/06/1983 - 27,870 miles (IHPF Ltd)
• 28/11/1983 - 30,709 miles (IHPF Ltd)
• 28/03/1984 - 34,500-mile service (Kent High Performance Cars)
• 25/01/1985 - 38,905 miles (Kent High Performance Cars)
• 14/10/1985 - 40,789 miles (Kent High Performance Cars)
• 06/03/1987 - 42,611 miles (Kent High Performance Cars)
• 16/10/1987 - 43,681 miles (Kent High Performance Cars)
• 26/07/1991 - 45,740 miles (Kent High Performance Cars)
• 09/10/1992 - 46,025 miles (Kent High Performance Cars)
• 07/02/1997 - 46,301 miles (Farleigh Forge Garage)
• 21/08/2002 - 46,398 miles (Farleigh Forge Garage)
• 13/09/2007 - 46,432 miles (Rosneath Engineering)
• 13/02/2009 - 47,918 miles (Rosneath Engineering)
• 19/12/2012 - 51,508 miles (Nick Cartwright Specialist Cars)
• 28/11/2014 - 51,806 miles (Foskers)
• 14/07/2016 - 53,162 miles (Rosneath Engineering)
• 23/03/2020 - 53,381 miles (Motorline Engineering)

SUMMARY

This Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 is a very good example of one of the most underrated cars from Maranello, and one which also boasts a wonderfully well-documented ownership and maintenance history. It has been sparingly used and enjoyed in recent years, but benefits from a recent cambelt service in 2020, meaning the next owner can take to the road and enjoy it straight away. These mid-engined 1970s sports cars are packed with character, and this example should delight its next owner every time they get behind the wheel and rev out its V8.

The description of this auction lot is, to the best of the seller's knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Collecting Cars requests a range of detail about the lot from the seller, and performs a level of due diligence. However, bidders must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description, and conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to a bid. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details.

All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.