Where were 308 GT4 Built?

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Well, unfortunately, the date doesn't work, because in 1972, the future 308 GTB was "asleep", back in limbo... the sketch of the car that was to become the 308GTB was actually drawn by Leonardo Fioravanti in 1970; he then had to put it on the shelf to work on the "superberlinetta" project, which gave us the BB.

When Enzo Ferrari decided at the end of 1974 that the 246GT should have a two-seat successor after all, and that he wanted to have it as quickly as possible, Fioravanti, as quoted by himself in his book, took the sketch he had made five years earlier, updated it, and voilà: here you have the 308GTB.

At that time, please be reminded that Europe was not "as lukewarm to the 308GT4 as were the United States": in Europe, the car was well liked: when tested for the first time by José Rosinski, a driver with race experience, for "Sport Auto", the french reference magazine for Sports Cars, he concluded in 1973: "the 308GT4 is the best Ferrari up to this day".

The development 308GTB were still badged as "Dinos", because they didn't have a 12 cylinder engine, and there was no reason not to use the name again. It is only when FIAT became worried by the lukewarm sales of the GT4 in the United States that Enzo Ferrari relented, and accepted to put the "Ferrari" name on the small cars (= V8s); so when the 308GTB was officially launched at the salon de Paris in 1975, it had a "Ferrari" badge.

Rgds

 

It is actually much simpler: it is simply because the title of "Commendatore" didn't mean anything for him, more so because the title was given quite liberally. That's what he meant when he said: "if you go to the barber, they are all "Commendatore" here". And that's also the reason why he liked to be called "Ingeniere", because, as you say, that one meant a lot for him. But in day-to-day life, he prefered to be simply called by his surname, "Ferrari"; not "Mister Ferrari", just "Ferrari".
A title bestowed in the twenties was not yet tainted by the fascist regime: for the day-to-day to day life, at that time, fascism in Italy was not as gruesome as it would become in the thirties in Germany.

There is a interview of Brenda Ventnor, a british citizen, who was his Personnal Assistant between 1964 and 1988, in the last issue of Motorsport Magazine. She says that no-one knows what his political affiliation was, or even if he had political views; she believes that actuallly, he had none, and was voting only for those whose policies might suit him, and his interests, the best, whomever they were, at the time of the election. And as for what he did during the war period, my guess is that we will never know.

Rgds

 

I don't think Piero knows. Remember that he was not raised by his father, and that Enzo admitted that he was indeed his father only after the death of his wife Laure, in 1978, when Piero was already 31. When he began to appear at the factory, Enzo was always very strict with him; I guess that he was not told anything. Admittedly, he might have heard one thing or two, but my guess (a guess...) is that he doesn't know.

Rgds

 

+1

Commendatore Enzo Ferrari

Also "Ingegnere", title given him "honoris causa" in July 1960 from University of Bologna.
The University where I become "ingegnere" too.


ciao

 

Thanks for that Nerofer, all very interesting. Have you read "Enzo Ferrari's Secret War" by David Manton? In fact only the first 2 chapters are about Enzo and the 2nd world war and immediate aftermath, the rest is about New Zealander Patb Hoare to whom Ferrari sold a couple of redundant F1 cars, and motor racing in New Zealand. But it is an interesting book

 

Great photo. Of course they were at the f factory at some point we would all agree. Lots of interesting info from all. But where is that damn bare body shell photo?!

 

Maybe you are related to Enzo!

 

An interesting book indeed it is...(Yes, I have read it); I'm afraid we will never know what happened at the time, but is it so important after all? Perhaps there is actually nothing to know; the Grand Old Man liked to be shrouded in mystery...to the point that he might have prefered to let us believe that there was something untold, whereas there was not!

Rgds

 

I don't think he is, but Alberto actually met the Great Man in person once...

Rgds

 

No, but I met him in person for a private speech in 1987, as I was, at those times, related to his personal medician, doctor Erasmo Baldini.

I was with other about six or seven guys, but it was a very special and emotional private speech indeed

ciao

 

That's very cool. But I was just kidding

 

Important no. But to cure a curiosity yes. Look at it this way if a photo is found how interesting would that be? Then there would be some chit chat! Plus we get to share book info personal Ferrari experiences etc on this thread.

 

Sharing experience is always interesting, of course.
On the other hand, and if my failing memory doesn't fail me too much at the minute, Ferrari is a topic on which thousands of books have already been written, new ones get published almost everyday; and I don't know about you, but as the years go by, I tend not to buy or read the new ones anymore, because not much new information appear. And besides, in a few years from now, those who know one thing or two because they have witnessed that golden age, will not be there anymore. I mean, men like Franco Gozzi are gone now.

Well, the waiting will be over perhaps when the FSB, heir to the KGB, will open its archives, who knows? After all, there were even some to accuse the Grand Old Man of being communist...

Rgds

 

Ferrari wasn't a Communist, this is 100% sure. As in Modena since 1946 the Communist party was the biggest party (up to 60%) that ruled here for 40 years, I'm sure he had to deal with them and show his friendship in many ways and facts.

He didn't like politics.

If you like to know something about the everyday Enzo Ferrari history, last saturday at noon I had a lunch at "trattoria Muzzarelli", just 8 km from Maranello, up in the hills around Maranello. Enzo Ferrari often had lunch there, as it was a very quiet place in the mountains not far from Maranello, along the very nice road that was the standard test road for all Ferrari produced.

Those attached are the pictures I took before having lunch, with the restaurant still empty.


I'm waiting for you all to have a lunch there, together, with that old French of Bruno alias Nerofer, our "official" historian here on F-chat.


ciao
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That would be awesome! Send the jet for us !!

 

The blueprint mast head I shared is from the early drawings of a two-seat mid-engined V8 "Dino". The drawings are in the collection of a noted Dino historian. Since it is dated January of 1972, I cannot say how this relates to the products eventually released to market in 1975/1976.

It is clear, though, that this detailed drawing is for (1) a "Dino", (2) a mid-engine V8 design, and (3) a two-seat car (no rear seat).

 

It sure looks to me like it says "Dino GT/8" especially when compared to the F106AB right next to it. At that point Dino GT/8 may have been the intended name to make a distinction from the V6 car.

 

Gt/8 may have been before they decided to make a 2+2. To compete with uracco and 911

 

All very true. I like your thinking

 

This is great stuff. We are going totally off track from the original thread but who cares. When we get posts like this I just love it. Please do tell us more Albert

 

Albert do you know my friend Vignarole from Modena?

 

Jesus I just found this weird nose badge





https://www.flickr.com/photos/gammaman/5462556817/in/photostream/

 

Because at the time of the FIAT sale/merger, Enzo took care of his long time coach builder, by telling FIAT "he already owned them"....so it was all bundled under the FIAT flag after that.

Scaglietti ended up with a pension for life, as the result.
He told the story in that manner, as I understand it.

 

The GT4 was introduced with Dino badges.

It was only when sales were slow that they reverted to Ferrari insignia.
All the Series 1 GT4s were Dinos.