It may be hard to appreciate this 1975 Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 in its current state, what with faded paint, a missing turn signal, and uninspiring wheels and tires. Its ugly U.S.-spec safety bumpers don’t help either, along with occupying the bottom of the totem pole in the Ferrari family hierarchy. But at the end of the day, it’s a mid-engined Ferrari with a sonorous V8 that doesn’t cost in excess of six figures. Find this 308 GT4 here on eBay with a $42,500 Buy-It-Now.
The U.S.-spec bumpers really are a crime against this car. Google search for images of the 308 GT4 with the European-market chrome bumpers and it’s a completely different story. In addition, this example wears tired paint and a set of wheels that do nothing to enhance its appearance. At least the lenses aren’t cracked and the glass appears sound.
The interior is better than I expected, especially for a car that’s been sitting for five years. The classic Ferrari gated shifter and three-spoke sport steering wheel remind you this is a true sports car, even if the status of the 308 GT4 keeps it firmly at the bottom of the food chain. Undoubtedly, the presence of four seats plays into that perception, but will the 308 ever have greater appeal as the pool of affordable vintage Ferraris grows ever smaller?
The seller says the 308 requires just a “straightforward recommissioning,” but doesn’t elaborate as to what that means. Many Ferraris require engine-out services to address a wide range of maintenance needs, so plan on spending a small fortune to wake this vintage F-car back up. While not everyone loves the 308 GT4, would you consider one as a cheap Ferrari project?
Ridiculous price. The values on these have softened, I have seen very nice ones in the mid $50K range.
These cars can be a lot of fun, but it is still a Ferrari so expect costly maintenance. This pic was taken last week.
So that’s how Ferraris have so little miles on them.
What did Matt do?
The most expensive car you can buy is a cheap Ferrari…and the price on this one is silly for the condition imo.
I like these but this one, not so much
I bought one once on a dare from a dealer in Portland in much better shape than this one for $12,000. Drove it a few years but sold it when I found out what a valve adjustment would cost. By the way, you can change the timing belt and water pumps without pulling the engine – just remove the rear wheel and inner fender. You can do it in your driveway.
I smell shyster deal here, buys cars @ lowball to resell. “Straightforward recommissioning” what exactly is that? Obviously excludes the seller even vacuuming the interior. This could be your Christmas Nitemare…
Sweet looking Ferrari. I’ve always liked Ferraris of the 70s and 80s. I hope someone can buy this car and restore it enough to be driveable.
Somebody please explain to me how this car is a “Ferrari Dino 308”, but some of you would adamantly say that a “Dino 246” is not a Ferrari? Even the Dino script is the same. I just don’t get it.
Both the 246 and 308 Dinos were, and still are, Dinos, according to the Ferrari factory. They were considered a separate make, which was created by Enzo Ferrari to honor his son, Alfredino, called “Dino”, after he died at a young age.
It was mainly No American owners who added Ferrari logos and called them “Ferrari Dinos” to add some of the Ferrari cachet to their cars, especially when it came time to sell them. The hope was that it would translate into more prestige and a higher price than if they were selling just a Dino.
To confuse matters more, the 308 GT4 started its model run branded as a Dino, then in 1976 Ferrari canceled the Dino marque but continued marketing these as a proper Ferrari through 1980, and they issued a factory update package for dealers to rebadge remaining 1975 models in stock accordingly, with varying degrees of piecemeal follow-through.
As such, calling these a “Ferrari Dino” just covers all bases as they may have been originally sold as either a Dino or a Ferrari depending on model year, and ’75s in particular may have been fully or partially rebadged in dealer stock. Of course, one of the most iconic of later Ferraris, the 308 GTB/GTS, were direct descendants of the Dino lineage.
@Walter As long as the seller is upfront about the purchase/ ownership history, why does flipping a car necessarily make someone a shyster? They found it and bought it, that’s an investment and a risk. Flippers serve a purpose, and they are entitled to make a buck too.
Whether this Dino is worth the asking depends…..
If it really does just need “recommissioning” then it could be worth $42K, since the median recent sale price of these in very good/excellent condition at major auctions has been $64,500.
If the engine really does just need some light maintenance and not a rebuild then might be worth the asking, but Gullwing doesn’t provide the mileage of the car, and you wouldn’t know what the car needs until you own it and examine it closely, so buying it would be a crap shoot.
Adding to the risk is the fact that the car has a big steel bar installed behind the front seats that anchor a set of big shoulder belts, suggesting that the car was used as a track car. Was it used gently, or hard? Who knows?
BTW, those are the correct wheels for the car, so a buyer would want to retain and restore them.
It looks a lill like the “Magnum” car (J. Garner’s TV show) but think that’s nother model (a ‘true’ ferrari).
Does this car have the engine slightly infrnt of rear axel w/transmission abt midship? Or is it a trans axel w/motor infrnt of that? Something even different?
You mean Tom Selleck?
The Ferrari 308 GTS of “Magnum P.I.” fame was a direct descendant of and successor to these 308 GT4s, so under the skin they’re quite similar right down to their transverse mid-rear transaxle powertrains.
As far as I know, only Lamborghini did a mid-engine layout with transmission in front and differential/axle behind the engine.
I appreciate Dolphin’s last comment. Prudent / a knowledgeable basis on which to proceed. Great advice.
On Walter and Matthew’s comments, I feel both have merit.
A shyster seller understates the facts (milage, possibly tracked etc.). There are these sellers that deceive by understating and concealing known facts.
Moving on a car hoping to find a less than educated buyer.
I mean it is a used car but as a Dino / Ferrari Beater it is a mechanic’s special.
This is not for the Novitiate (noviciate).
“Flippers” serve as a great resource to the Enthusiast. Comes back to buying a used car from a credible source (and doing your homework).
I enjoy this site tremendously. It is a great resource, educational, and wide open.
I don’t know much about Italian cars except some are sure beautiful unfortunately THIS is not one of them. I do like the term Minor Recommissioning, nice long term that says nothing. When someone here said there is no more expensive car than a cheap Ferrari, I think this is it!!!
Amen
I would never like to own one of these, but it’s in my personal bucket list of cars that I want badly just to drive!
scary