1979 FERRARI DINO 308 GT4

This late-production Ferrari 308 GT4 is presented in very good order, and is finished in the classic Ferrari colour scheme. 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 odometer shows 72,147 miles from new.

Chassis 14816 was first registered in May 1979. A UK-supplied right-hand-drive car, there are nine previous registered keepers on the log book, and it has been with the current owner since 2016. The distinctive registration ‘WOW 33T’ is included with the car.

The exterior presents very well, with only minor imperfections in the previously refreshed paintwork. There is a chip in the paint directly next to the left side of the rear window, plus two paint cracks at the front corners of the sunroof recess. Additionally there are some partially repainted chips on the inner driver’s door panel, a small chip below the offside fog lamp, and a small amount of bubbling below the nearside windscreen wiper – all visible in the gallery. The 16-inch alloy wheels are in superb condition.

The black interior presents in good order throughout, with velour centre panels on the previously reupholstered seats. The upper and lower door-side bolsters on the driver’s seat show only light scuff marks, while there is light wear on the back rests and seat squabs. The rest of the trim appears to be remarkably original, including the steering wheel and gear knob, and even the period-perfect Pioneer radio cassette unit.

When the seller purchased this car in 2016, it had just been recommissioned following a period of limited use over the preceding decade or so. The car was subsequently sent to Ferrari specialist Autofficina for an inspection and overhaul of any items needing attention.

A wide range of restorative works were then performed, including renewal of the drive belts and refurbishment of the suspension. The rear subframes were removed, refurbished, and powder-coated, the chassis rails were cleaned and waxed, some new interior fixings were fitted, various electrical work was carried out, and the carburettors were serviced. Related invoices are included towards the end of the photo gallery, which total around £11,000 – though the seller states that closer to £18,000 was spent on improving this GT4.

The car was last given a full service in 2018 by Autofficina, which included a rebuild of the braking system. Over the last four years, the seller has covered just 1,011 miles, and he therefore feels the time is right to offer it to another enthusiast who can enjoy it more frequently.

The car most recently passed an MOT on 16 July 2020 at 72,137 miles, with no advisories, and also comes with a service history file plus the original tool kit. The warranty and maintenance record has 17 stamps in the book covering the period from 1979 through to 1983.

Andrew Frankel recently revisited the 308 GT4 model for Enzo magazine, and concluded: “If, like me, you believe the amount of fun a car provides is calculated by how enjoyable it is to drive multiplied by the number of times it makes you feel inclined to drive it, the 308 GT4 remains one of the most underrated Ferraris of all”.

Having been underappreciated by enthusiasts for some time, the Bertone bodied 308 GT4 – designed by the legendary Marcello Gandini – is increasingly getting the attention it deserves. This smart example benefits from substantial recent work, and is ready to impress its next owner with the sonorous flat-plane bark, user-friendly cabin, and head-turning 1970s styling.

All cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. This vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.