Ferrari first showcased the Dino 308 GTS in October 1973 at the Paris Motor Show. It was the model that would succeed the Dino 246 GT line with production set to start in 1974. Featuring a bigger engine, the Dino 308 GT 4 horsepower significantly improved. Production of the Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 however would last up until 1980. At this time 2826 units of the Dino 308 GT4 were built with 547 of these being right-hand drive. Ferrari would also build about 840 units that featured a 2.0 liter that was meant for the Italian market. The chassis number for all Ferrari Dino 308 GT ranged from 07202 to 15604. Let's dive into our Dino 308 GT 4 review and later find out more about the Dino 308 GT 4 price and how much you’ll need to add one of these to your collection. So, if you’re ready, let’s get into it!
Once Ferrari successfully created the Dino 206 and the 246 lines, they had now set their mark on the mid-range road-going sports cars market. That said, they were far from being the dominant players in the premium sports car market. That title was held by Porsche which with the various 911 models, sales exceeded well above the 10,000-unit mark. Maserati, Lamborghini, or Ferrari simply could not hit those targets. The Italian car manufacturers would often find themselves in a financial fix and often their solution would be to develop one junior sports car that would bring in some much-needed funds into the company. One of the main features that set Porsche way ahead of the competition was the two extra seats in the back. It offered extra practicality which the Italian car makers think that they also need to move in the same direction. But here’s the thing. While Porsche built a rear-engine sports car, Ferrari, Maserati, and Lamborghini would try to fix the extra two seats atop the mid-engine configuration. Compared to its Italian counterparts it was Ferrari who ultimately would do the best job with their brand-new Ferrari Dino 308 GT 4. This new model would see sales figures outperform both Lamborghini and Maserati. But you are probably wondering where was the Dino 308 GT 4 was made. This was done at the company factory in Maranello, Italy. The new car was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October 1974. But how many Dino 308 GT 4 were produced? Ferrari would build just 2,826 of them. Another feature that set the 308 GT4 apart from the rest of the previous models was that this time it was not Pininfarina who would design and build the body. Instead, Ferrari would turn to Bertone for the exterior work. And while the new Ferrari 308 GT4 would be sold as a Dino, the only cars that had the Ferrari emblem would be those manufactured in the second half of 1975.
When it came to the engine design, Ferrari had often found success with their V12 and V8 models. And while they had previously used a V8, this would be later discontinued owing to weight as well as power issues. That said, Ferrari deemed it fit to develop a V8 to install in the Dino 308 GT 4. This new engine would feature dual overhead camshafts that were belt driven, two valves per cylinder, and used wet sump lubrication. The engine would also be mounted transversely on the Tipo F106 AL chassis. It had an 81mm bore and 71 mm stroke which resulted in a displacement of 2926cc and was fed by four Weber 40 DCNF carburetors while also featuring two distributors by Marinelli. The V8 engine had a compression of 8.8:1. This resulted in a Dino 308 GT 4 0-60 of under 6.6 seconds. The result was a motor that produced a Dino 308 GT 4 horsepower and torque of 255bhp and 210 lb-ft respectively. The engine was connected to a 5-speed manual gearbox via a single plate clutch which also featured a limited slip differential. The Dino 308 GT 4 top-speed was 155mph with a Dino 308 GT 4 weight of 1265 kilograms. Looking to sell your car? Head off to Exotic Car Trader and create your listing!
Ferrari would offer a whole new Dino 308 GT 4 interior design. However, the rear seats offered limited knee room and there wasn’t much in the way of headroom. It simply wasn’t suited for a full-grown adult. Small kids could fit but often the extra two seats at the back offered space for extra luggage. Buyers had the option of getting a Dino 308 GT 4 interior without the rear seats and luggage space in their place but not many took this option. That said, vinyl with fabric inserts was the standard seat upholstery with the dash also upholstered in vinyl. For the instrument panel, it was housed in one central area, offered a larger speed reading and was also designed in such a way that it faced the driver at each end. It also housed smaller readings such as the oil temperature, oil pressure, fuel gauge, clock, and water temperature gauges. Near the gear lever were the controls for the electric windows. The steering wheel featured the natural three-spoke design with a leather upholstered trim.
Ever since 1953 when Ferrari started building road-going cars, their primary exterior design partner was Pininfarina. Ferrari would work with the coachbuilder throughout the years up until the production of the Dino 246 GT line. So, when Ferrari decided to change from Pininfarina to Bertone in their new Dino 308 GT 4 exterior design, it came as a bit of a surprise. This is because Bertone had proven themselves as a leader in wedge design and was recommended by Fiat after building their Fiat Dino Coupe. And that’s not all, Bertone was also impressed with the design of the 250 GT. And when they were tasked with the Dino 308 GT design for the body, the project even though would prove successful, would also be quite the challenge. This is because of the 2+2 layout of the mid-engined design. The result was flat surfaces, short overhangs, and sharp creases in the body design. The majority of the bodywork was constructed out of steel while the engine cover and front lid were made out of aluminum. The grille housing on the other hand was built out of fiberglass. The body design also featured retractable headlights and air scoops for keeping the radiator cool. The cockpit was also designed to merge with the back fenders and just behind the back quarter windows were air intakes shaped like a Boomerang. The left air intake would drive air to the oil radiator while the one on the right would feed the carburetors. Looking to buy your next car online but don’t know where to start? Take a look at Exotic Car Trader’s online buying guide for step-by-step training.
As far as the Dino 308 GT 4 Technology goes, Ferrari took the one on the 246 Dino models and enlarged it for the Dino 308 GT4. The car would also feature separate subframes for the suspension, engine, bumpers, and steering. Glass fiber would be used for the floor, front bulkhead as well as wheel arches. The Ferrari 308 GT4 featured a wider track both at the front and back which were enlarged by 35mm and 30mm respectively. The wheelbase also became longer than the 246 GT and was now 2550mm an increase of 210mm. The result was even more cabin space. All four wheels had independent suspension with unequal-length wishbones. The car also came with Koni shocks and coil springs. There were anti-roll bars both in the front as well as in the rear with all four wheels featuring ventilated brake discs with 6.5 x 14 Comodora wheels and running on Michelin XWX tires. The 308 GT 4 came with two fuel tanks giving it an 80-liter capacity. Both these fuel tanks were mounted on both sides of the engine against the back bulkhead.
You are probably asking yourself how much is a Dino 308 GT 4 worth. Well, it all depends on the year of manufacture and the various Dino 308 GT 4 trim levels. The average price of a 1974 Ferrari Dino 308 GT 4 is $51,413 with a high of $94,600 and a low price of $24,200. The 1975 model has a top price of $80,602 and a low of $21,400 averaging out at around $42,739. As for the 1978 model, prices range between $23,422 and $52,306 averaging out at $32713. But how does the 1979 Dino 308 GT 4 compare? Well, prices can be as low as $47,250 or as high as $101,750 with an average price of about $64,031. Hopefully, the above prices of the Ferrari Dino 308 GT 4 for sale can help give you a rough idea of how much you need to get your hands on one. Are you searching for your ideal car? Exotic Car Trader can help. Browse through our huge listing and you are sure to find your perfect ride.
In our Ferrari Dino 308 GT 4 review, we’ve seen how Enzo took things to whole new heights with the design of the 246 GT successor. Everything from the interior, the exterior, and even the body designer was changed to build a car that was set to take the premium sports car market by storm. Check out Exotic Car Trader if you are searching for your perfect car.
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