Did i make the right decision buying a GT4

Fix only what must be repaired to keep the car driveable and safe. Enjoy the car for a few years, and upgrade when you find a better GT4. If there are no major breakdowns, you might come out pretty good.

 

+1. Steve is exactly right, in my experience too.

If you do go through the car yourself and sort out all the details you should have a really great classic to drive with good collectible potential along the way. The 308GT4 is a super cool 70's Italian car - doesn't get much more spaghetti than that!

If you're accustomed to working on other 70's cars - alfa, mg, porsche, fiat, maserati, triumph, etc - then you'll be able to figure out your GT4 no problem. The only thing that will be a little frustrating (even for a good DIY guy) is parts costs - take what you're used to and multiply it by a factor of 3X-5X and you'll be in the expected range (unfortunately)!

Cheers and good luck!

 

Let me start by saying that I"m totally biased....

1974= THE most desirable GT4

GT4 drives much differently (IMO, Better) than the 308

You DID NOT buy the wrong car!

You are going to have a tough time finding the accordian hoses for the airbox and you'll want to start that search yesterday. Like DStacy said, the car will run like crap until they are on.

Good Luck!

Jim
GT4 #08140

 

Get back to us in about 10 years and we'll see if you are still concerned.

 

burping on decel? thats a bonus!! I lift off the gas pedal on my carby at 6k rpm and it makes the most wonderful noises...

 

I'm pretty biased too.
I.M.H.O.
This whole "Show car" thing?? Look at the Ralph Lauren cars. Those cars had humble beginnings, but became gorgeous through hard work and dedication. True, RL spent $$$ on every aspect, but I don't think it really matters to get that last .005%. The last concours I entered my Dino in, I was next to a Gullwing Mercedes, and this crazy resto'd Jag. The bucks in those cars could have probably paid for nice real estate. I'm very happy with how mine looks.

Also when you buy a used car you're taking a chance. and for that matter you're taking a chance with a new car - as an example - my brand new BMW had the tranny fail 3 miles out of warranty and BMW told me "We're sooo sorry, we hope you get it fixed right away". It cost me 2 - 3 k to sort that out.

I had mechanics tell me my Dino clutch job was way too difficult for me to handle. It wasn't that bad, and this was years before the internet with its wealth of info. They told me horror stories of failed jobs making a mess out of the machine. Only you can decide if you have the skill to take it on.

I agree with the other posts here to change out ALL of the rubber in the car. Be thorough. Fuel filler hose, tank balance hoses, fuel supply lines (there's about 10 of them), fuel vent hoses. Make certain carbs are properly screwed together, fuel filter is good etc etc etc. There's a water hose that goes from the rear bank head to the water valve. It's about 13 - 14feet long and IIRC 5/8"dia. that will certainly need to be addressed if it hasn't been already, along with a bunch of connector water pipes.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

 

I did not buy my GT4 thinking it would be my dream car.

Strange thing is that after 5 years driving it I love it more and more..why?

1 It's narrow (UK, not US issue!)
2 In silver its uber discreet
3 It's fast enough, chuckable and sounds better than a new Ferrari
4 It's comfy, has fantastic visibility, and is practical
5 Behind the wheel it feels 60's but drives 80's.

Of course I would like a 246, or a Muira, or a DB9, but short of those my S3 Elan drophead and my 308 GT4 tick most boxes.

 

Hi Favian
You are welcome to drive my GT4 to see what it is like.
Did much/most of the work myself, some done by probably the mechanic you are talking to.
They are simple enough to work on although for engine and gearbox internals prior 308 experience is required to do it properly. Belt/idler change is easy though as are clutch. Carbs are tedious and painstaking but not outside the realm of amateurs.
No doubt your experience working on motorcycles that old will be a benefit. Likely just like the Ferrari 308, there are no how-to instructions except as detailed on FChat.

Gerrit

http://dino308gt4.com

Have you hugged your car today?

 

These require mostly folding of sheet metal, easy enough to replicate if you have one to copy.

Gerrit

 

One thing I would suggest is shop around on pricing. I have not found one single supplier that is consistently lower than the others. Prices vary widely, depending on what you are buying. So compare prices, you can save a lot of money. Also, be sure the check the parts cross-reference sticky at the top of the 308/328 forum. A lot of the parts are available through other sources, or there are alternative replacement parts available that cost a LOT less than buying stuff with the Prancing Horse on the box. Plus, some of the suppliers like Ricambi offer "improved" parts that cost less and are of superior quality to the stock stuff.

 

Sounds very reasonably priced, and only the wrong decision if you were after a perfect car.

Otherwise enjoy driving it, and be careful how you spend money on servicing and repairs. It's important not to skimp on certain things.

 

The GT4 was my first taste of Ferrari when i was a kid and i have been smitten ever since! Drove my GT4 last night simply fantastic, easy to drive fast and it constantly talks to you, never going to sell it. Get yours up and running, you won't regret it!

 

Bougth mine 5 years ago, even if a 360 joigned the family I always drive the GT4. For sure we cannot compare the top speed and acceleration, but the GT4 is a pure raw machine from the 70's. Oil leaks, vibrations, noises, ..... and what the heck. Friend of mine bought a brand new Audi S type with V10 in, no feeling at all when you drive. You can fall in sleep at any time, will never happen with my GT4.
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