Now this one’s a looker! Big black rubber bumpers or not, this 1975 Ferrari “Dino” 308 GT4 has great lines – and an interesting owner story. One of only about 2,800 produced, they were named for family patriarch Enzo Ferrari’s son Dino who died of health-related causes in the 1950s. This is an intriguing model with an interesting story so let’s take a closer look. This mid-engined specialty calls El Cerrito, California home, and it’s available, here on eBay for a BIN price of $53,000. There is a make-an-offer option too.
The Dino 308 GT4 was first offered for the 1974 model year and continued through 1980. Some sources state that originally, these 308 GT4s were known as a Dino 308 GT4 and not a Ferrari though that changed late in the ’76 model year. Clearly, this ’75 example is wearing a “Ferrari” nameplate on its bonnet so perhaps the Dino/Ferrari matter was not actually the case.
We’re told that this Ferrari spent about 30 years in a dark San Francisco garage and the current seller had to befriend its owner and work on him for about a decade to get him to part with it. It has been in the seller’s possession for only fourteen months and now it’s being offered for sale again. The seller refers to it as purple and in some of the images that seems to be an accurate description, though “cordovan”, at least to my eyes, may be more precise. The seller mentions, “The body and paint are in good condition and impress all that see it. There are small flaws on the body that consist of paint bubbles and scratches and chips. There are 2 or 3 small dings that I have found“. Regardless, the presentation is impressive with only some front roll pan friction noted, likely the result of overrunning a parking lot stop.
The seller refers to the interior as fair but I’d rate it a bit better than that. The creme-hued leather upholstery reveals typical creases but that’s to be expected on a car that’s almost 50 years old. The seller notes that the tachometer is non-working and he has not tried the radio – which seems odd, just flip the switch and see what happens, right? The instrument panel is Ferrari all the way with its large black-faced/white-numbered gauges, toggle switches, and chrome-gated five-speed shifter.
The transverse-mounted, mid-engine V8 measures 2.9 liters and generates about 255 HP. The seller states, “The car starts right up and moves around under its own power“. It has not been driven over 25 MPH but the brakes are said to perform properly. There is a reference to an alleged, undocumented engine rebuilding that occurred long ago, and the car was supposedly only driven a few thousand miles before being parked. The odometer reading is 28K miles but there’s no claim of authenticity. Also noted is a coolant leak and what appears to be an inoperative charging system.
So, it’s not perfect and I wouldn’t expect that of a car that has been sitting for years – and, being a Ferrari, it will have the typical, probably expensive, foibles that affect the marque. But, a Ferrari is a Ferrari, and aficionados are well familiar with their strengths and tolerant of their weaknesses. Let’s talk purple, what do you think, an original Ferrari shade, a custom request, or a respray?
Always had a weak spot in my head for the Dino’s, and this brings that all back.
There’s a plate inside behind the steering wheel on the column that states “Dino 308 GT 4” and the chassis number. Could it be that someone placed the Ferrari emblems on it AFTER they bought it? I too was told the “Dino not Ferrari” story back in the day.
This one will take some work and a few wads of money but oh what a car.
195 photos of the car!
Definitely worth saving. Not an expert on Ferrari, so I am not sure about the color. I don’t ever remember seeing that maroon shade before. Nice lines.
Good luck.
On the Volkswagen Cabby same color. It’s a Bourdeaux Rot (Red)
Haggerty says a #4 is worth $46K, and #3 is $63K. This car will need a lot of little things- that will add up fast. Rubber brake hoses, coolant hoses, belts, timing belts, suspension bushings, mabe some engine gaskets. Rubber fuel hoses, rebuild calipers, flush brake fluid, coolant, trans oil, and tires.
I have always liked the look of these, there is a red on on Ebay at just under $50k.
I wonder why the owner would try to buy it for ten years and then sell it a year after he finally got it…
My guess Tom. He most likely got a bid from a Ferrari dealer or a exotic mechanic to bring it up to adequate for a spin around the block without worrying about burning it down.
After he crapped himself, it was a no-brainer.
Billys probably right.
The bumpers don’t hurt the car much in my opinion. These are so small, and low you have to see in person to appreciate. My 89 LX sedan looked like a giant beside one at the gas ⛽️ pump.
Or it’s a BS story. Who knows?
I’m guessing rosso cordoba over crema.
Scott If that’s an original Ferrari color it would be Rosso Fiorano
Thank you Bill! I determine Ferrari colors with probably 60% accuracy. They offered so many shades of each color.
I recently watched a video on the Dinos and was struck by the 308 GT4. The looks are subjective but the engineering is not. If I had the garage space and the will to withstand the withering criticism from my spouse I would take a chance. You’ll be the only one at Cars and Coffee with one for sure!
https://youtu.be/Fx8u7uqNmhE
A 48-year-old Ferrari that’s been sitting for 30 years. Why not, what could go wrong?
Just about everything. Tuning the carbs is no day at the beach. Bubbles under the paint. Most of us know where that leads us. I know they rust. I’ve seen them in my friend’s restoration shop. Just think what it takes to bring an everyday car up to a driveable safe car regarding cost. Now triple that cost, at least.
This guy knows because he did his homework after he got the car. The 308’s if maintained properly, are not that expensive to operate. Just buy one with Service records.
So unless you’re stealing this car and have a friend that’s a Ferrari or exotic car mechanic I would pass.
As they say, “the most expensive car you can buy is a cheap Ferrari”
This is a perfect $20,000 Ferrari project car. The seller had a decade to figure out what he needed to do to get this thing on the road. Either the original owner never let on about the cars problems, or he’s a flipper telling a tale. But, this has to be the nicest color I’ve ever seen on a 308.
More likely Prugnia? I’ve always liked it. Don’t know if that was on the palette in 1975, but there were a handful of GTB/GTSs and Mondials in that color so may have been a PTS respray?
I heard one time that the Dino/Ferrari nameplate thing was real, but that a lot of dealers would apply the Ferrari badges when they received the cars because, well… Ferrari.
These are lovely cars to look at. I saw a brown one at Road Atlanta a couple years ago and it was really very sweetly proportioned to this viewers eyes.
From a mechanical point of view that amazing engine is very reliable but where it sits makes it a total pain in the ass to work on. It really needs to be removed to get proper access to all the important bits and all the accessory items. Not something a shade tree mechanic can do a lift is critical. That is part of what makes these less desirable. Even the 308 GTB and GTS are a bit easier to work on. Fun to drive and true they are elegant but I much prefer the later styles even with the few number of seats. This will find a home I am certain and a wallet to empty like many exotic cars. BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT myself. LOL If it is the right car and person the process can be great fun. BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT as well.
That color’s original, but I can’t remember what it’s called.
If you have a shop do the work, it’s going to cost on the order of $15k to make it safe and reliable to drive anywhere.
Not to be a stickler, but I think everyone dies of “health related causes.” Dino died of complications of Muscular Dystrophy.
No s””t.
I know that but saw no reason to delve into that matter. The post is about Dino the car, not Dino the person.
JO
Looks like someone used a stop sign to patch the front underside?!?
These are a blast to drive. Unlike the 246 Dino or even the 308. The nose of the car drops away so much, that you cannot see anything in front of the windscreen. So it really looks and feels like you are driving the windscreen around.
And talk about packaging, a 2+2 with a mid engine V8 and a decent size trunk!! In such a tiny very short car. Amazing
I just love these……I really like the look, if you can wrench on it yourself, then it “could” be a fun car….but that’s about all the money, and unfortunately I don’t have it :-(
Why is the author acting like there’s some mystery surrounding early 308GT4s being badged/marketed as Dino rather than Ferrari? I don’t recall offhand at which model year that ceased, but it’s a matter of well-documented fact.
What I don’t know (but again, someone does, because it’s well-documented history of the past <50 yr) is if a “DINO” VIN placard means this one necessarily left the factory wearing Dino badges, or if that placard format carried on beyond the change in branding.
Re: color, the seller should really post a photo of that placard too. My first guess was prugna (plum), but I’m too lazy to go out in the garage to try to compare these photos to an actual prugna Ferrari; I feel like this might be too red for that, though.
Joe, I’ve always liked prugna, almost as much as I love any green Ferrari. What model do you have?
Mondial 3.2.
There’s no mystery on my part and I was clear, the Ferrari badge supposedly didn’t show on the Dino until mid ’76 yet this is a ’75 and it clearly has the Ferrari name attached to the rear bonnet. Was it added later to this car or is the claim of a mid ’76 inclusion incorrect?
JO
“Some sources state that…” is a strange way to cite well-documented matters of fact if you’re not intending to imply mystery or controversy.
https://www.motorbiscuit.com/how-ferrari-dino-got-name-why-they-are-legit-v12-cars/
There, happy now? At least I bothered to do the research as opposed to dismissively stating, “I don’t recall offhand at which model year that ceased, but it’s a matter of well-documented fact”
And if it’s a well-documented fact as you claim, why does this ’75 308 GT4 bear a “Ferrari” nameplate? Probably added by this, or the previous owner. It’s not a mystery, it just contradicts what is commonly believed.
JO
That last question I can actually help with: The Ferrari logotype on the trunk lid is not factory original on ANY 308GT4; the “Dino 308GT4” trunk lid badge was retained on Ferrari-branded examples. (And yes, I just pulled an actual book off the shelf [Foskett, 2015] to verify my memory on this.) While likely modified by an owner, it’s not impossible that an ambitious US dealer might have done this before selling the car to its first owner!
According to Ferrari Buyers Guide, Dean Batchelor.
308 GT4 1973-1979.
“The Bertone body is basically unchanged. But in late 1976 the Ferrari Prancing Horse appeared on the nose, wheel hubs and steering wheel. They gave no explanation for the change”. But they felt that Ferrari finally decided the car was worthy of the change”.
Ferrari 308,328, Mondial Geoff Willoughby.
Here’s the rest of the story:
When the GT4 came to the USA they came up against sales resistance. Ferrari came out with a Technical Circular. The Dino badges were replaced. They made no attempt to get rid of the DINO 308GT4script on the bootlid and it continued to be used throughout the entire production run.
I’m glad you guys have all had your chance to make comments about the car. Please type in “Dans Discoveries” if you care to see more of the great cars I have found that are featured here. I’m not new to the game so welcome to my listing. My skin is as thick as a bias ply & my Dino is awesome. So count your pennys chaps and get at me dog.
not very sharp teeth on ‘im so no thick skin needed. And so – I like BF.
Yes, some dust floating but no real personal attacks, thank you all.
And
it has served to ed-u-ma-cate me, something I all ways appreciate !
Keep it up gang (both meanings of the wrd)~