Ferrari GT4

The Dino 308 GT4 and 208 GT4 (later Ferrari 308 GT4 and 208 GT4) are mid-engined V8 2+2 cars built by Ferrari. The Dino 308 GT4 was introduced in 1973 and supplemented by the 208 GT4 in 1975. The cars were sold with Dino badging (continuing the Dino brand to differentiate non-V12 Ferrari) until May 1976, when they received Ferrari badging. It was the first production Ferrari to feature the rear mid-engined V8 layout that would become the bulk of the company's business in the succeeding decades. The GT4 was replaced by the Mondial 8 in 1980 after a production run of 2,826 308s and 840 208s.

Design

The GT4 is the only production Ferrari to feature bodywork designed by Bertone, though Bertone had created one off designs for Ferraris in the past. Pininfarina was upset by the decision to give cross-town rival Bertone the design, considering all they had done for Ferrari.

The design has sharp, angular shapes, in contrast to its more curvaceous two-seater predecessor, the Dino 246 GT and GTS, and was controversial at the time. Journalists compared it to the Bertone-designed Lancia Stratos and especially the Lamborghini Urraco

308 GT4

The Dino 308 GT4 was introduced at the Paris Motor Show in October 1973. Its chassis number was 07202 and it was the only example produced that year. It was painted in Azzurro Metallizzato (Light Blue Metallic).[4]

The 308 GT4 later went on sale as a 1974 model and gained the "Prancing Horse" badge in May 1976, which replaced the Dino badges on the hood, wheels, rear panel and the steering wheel while retaining the Dino 308GT4 logo on the rear boot lid. This has caused major confusion over the years by owners, enthusiasts and judges. During the energy crisis at that time many prospective owners were hesitant to buy such an expensive automobile not badged "Ferrari", being confused at the significance of the Dino name. Dino was Enzo Ferrari's son who died in 1956, and his name was to honor his memory on the models it was placed. In an effort to improve sales until the 1976 official re-badging, Ferrari sent out factory update #265/1 on July 1, 1975 with technical and cosmetic revisions in many areas. Some of these revisions were implemented piecemeal by dealers. Some made all the revisions while some just made a few. This leaves many 1975 GT4's with a variety of modifications which are hard to document as "correct" to aficionados who may not understand the complicated series of events surrounding this model year. Some of the revisions included adding Prancing Horse badges, repainting in the Boxer two-tone scheme (lower half painted matte black), air conditioning fixes, etc. It also included bumper modification and exhaust changes for North American versions. The Dino 308 GT4 was the only Ferrari legally imported to the US in 1975, and it was also the year Niki Lauda won the Formula One drivers championship and Ferrari won the constructors title. The GT4 was the only 2+2 Ferrari ever raced with factory support.

There were two series of GT4; the earlier cars featured a twin distributor engine and fog lamps mounted in the front valance. The so called Series 2 cars had a wider and shallower grille with fog lamps mounted behind, European versions changed to a single distributor while USA and Australian cars continued with twin distributors, each with 2 sets of points, but European cars changed to a single distributor. On European cars Magneti Marelli electronic ignition was fitted from July 1978.

The series 2 cars had Cavallino Rampante badging on the nose and steering wheel and road wheel centres. The Dino 308GT4 logo remained on the boot/trunk lid and the Dino script continued on the instrument dials and the air vents. The revised sales brochure made no mention of Dino but was branded Ferrari. The chassis numbering sequence continued with even numbers, as started with the earlier Dinos, while the by now concurrent 308GTB/S had reverted to the traditional odd numbered chassis for road cars.

The Dino brand experiment had come to an end.

manufacturer	Ferrari
aka	Dino 308/208 GT4 2+2 (until 1976)
production	1973–1980 (308 GT4) 1975–1980 (208 GT4)
assembly	Italy: Modena
designer	Marcello Gandini at Bertone‡R1R‡
class	Sports car (S)
body style	2-door 2+2 coupé
layout	Transverse, rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive
related	208/308 GTB and GTS
engine	2.9 L Dino V8 (308 GT4) 2.0 L Dino V8 (208 GT4)
transmission	5-speed manual
wheelbase	2550 mm
length	4300 mm or 4488 mm (U.S.)
width	1800 mm
height	1180 mm
weight	1150 kg (dry)
predecessor	Dino 206/246 GT
successor	Ferrari Mondial
sp	uk

Design

Specifications

308 GT4

208 GT4

Further reading

External links

References