My First Ferrari

I've been a car enthusiast my entire life, I'd assume most anyone reading this has as well. Like most kids in the 80s I had a poster of a Lamborghini Countach on my wall, I had a soft spot in my heart for wedge-shaped cars. I just thought nothing looked cooler, or more aggressive. When I was 17, I could easily identify any car on the road, but I grew up in a town in Texas that didn't have many cool cars. You were lucky to see a Porsche. But one day, I was jaywalking across a busy street (as teenagers do) and I passed behind this crazy, insane wedge-shaped car that I could not identify. I couldn't stop to fully absorb its wonder, so I tried to read the badge on the back—but it looked like some sort of "scribble" and I couldn't read it in passing. However, I thought I saw the Ferrari horse by the license plate.

In 1987, the internet wasn't a thing, so I couldn't just go home and do a quick Google search to discover what this beautiful wedge really was. I did, however, dig out all my Road & Track, Car and Driver, Motor Trend, and Automobile magazined and started going through all of them to see if I could find a picture of that car. No such luck. I tried describing this car to other car enthusiast friends, and people I'd meet at car events (which were far and few between where I grew up), but people kept telling my I had seen a Lamborghini, Lotus, or some weird kit car. I knew it was none of those. My search continued for years, but I could never get the car out of my mind.

About five years later, when I was 22, I was in a bookstore and picked up a large picture book covering Ferraris. Thumbing through the pages I gasped and stopped abruptly when I caught a glimpse of what appeared to be that elusive wedge-shaped car. I frantically flipped the pages back one by one until I found it. And there it was, a beautiful photo of this car that had captured my imagination years ago. It was a Dino 308 GT4.

I've wanted one of those ever since I was 17, and now I knew what it was. I certainly wasn't born to a wealthy family, and when these cars were trading hands for $15k to $20k, well that might as well have been a million dollars to kid making minimum wage. But, I realized the car wasn't out of reach, I just had to reach a better situation in life. So I tried, and tried, and tried, and tired, and as my life improved, the 308 GT4 just got further and further out of reach—it would seem the car was trying to keep me away!

Life goes on, and other priorities become more important. For me, for a while, it was playing in a local rock band with dreams of being a rock star. Not gonna lie, that was a fun six years of my life, but not exactly filled with many great cars. The band never went anywhere, and we eventually went our separate ways. Then I got married, and somehow landed a job that would become my career for the last 20 years. Moved to New York for a spell, and that really helped me "find myself" as the cliché goes. After four years of living in Manhattan, and not owning a single car, I felt empty inside. I'm a "car guy" for crying loud, why did I move to New York City??

I relocated to California, and it was finally time to get serious about cars. I fulfilled one life dream pretty quickly, and that was owning a Porsche. It was a Boxster that could have used a fresh coat of paint, a new top, and a new interior, but it ran and drove flawlessly. I kept that car for eight years and replaced it with a Porsche 911, which I still have today. But that damn 308 GT4 never left my head, it still lingered in the back of mind and every now and then would shout "hey, pay attention to me!" So I did.

I started searching for one, but now, those prices were at $40k to $45k, and that was double what I paid for my 911. I knew I'd have to save and find a way to make this work. Oh, but, wow—the market. They just kept going up. Every time I'd seen one for sale, it cost more than the last one I saw (and it wasn't always a better car). But I have enough Ferrari owning friends that always had one key piece of advice for me: "Buy the best one you can find." And I took that to heart.

After a couple of years of half-hearted searching, I decided to get very serious just a few months ago, back in August when I had a disappointing time at the Porsche Werks Reunion in Monterey (again), and an incredible time at Concorso Italiano in Monterey (again). I looked everywhere, spoke with people, placed bids on Bring A Trailer (but always lost), but I wasn't giving up. Finally, someone gave me the idea to go to a local Ferrari mechanic and see if he might know of any for sale. So I did. Turns out, he knew of a yellow one, and it was sitting right there. I looked at it, drove it, and then the seller decided he didn't want to sell it. Another strike out.

But then he called me again and said another customer is bringing his car in and he's interested in selling. I went back the next business day after that phone call, and the car was gorgeous. A solid red 1975 308 GT4 with a tan interior. I'll be honest, red isn't my first choice, but I wasn't going to let color stand in the way if it's a good car. And this was not a good car. It was a GREAT car. Everything works, it's in great condition, all the service is done, new tires, new suspension, new brakes, new muffler, etc., etc., etc. There was nothing wrong with this car. I spoke with the owner on the phone, and we made a deal. Met up with him the next day and I parted with my money, but gained an incredible car.

You see, aside from being in excellent condition, it's also the most well documented Ferrari I've ever encountered. All the service records are there from new—the first one dates back to June, 1976. Lots of extra memorabilia too, and a strange but cool little removable hood that goes over the clock that I never knew was a thing until I saw this car. More interesting, the original owner was a doctor who needed to be able to record his thoughts and ideas to a cassette tape while in the car. The dealer installed dictaphone and tape recorder are still there. And, for me, something even more special…

The car was repainted red quite some time ago, the original color was a gorgeous dark green. Which is something I will do in the next few years: put that car back to its original color. And since everything else about the car is very well sorted, it shouldn't take me terribly long to get it repainted. And, I even have photos of the car when it was still green. I can't wait to get that done!

For me, a man who will turn 52 this month, this was a life long dream that I finally fulfilled. A passion I've had since I was 17, and now almost 35 years later I own the car that had eluded me for so long. I couldn't be happier.

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Great story and congrats! Enjoy it!

 

Congratulations and welcome aboard.

 

Living your dream - enjoy every day of it! Different places, but similar story for so many of us...

 

Crazy how a 10 second encounter can turn into a lifelong obsession. Certainly been there! Very big congrats!

 

Beautiful story! Congrats


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Thanks for sharing how you contributed to pursue your dream. Congrats and enjoy!

Andy


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stories like this make the passion worth it all x infinity

ENJOY THAT 308 GT4!

 

Right? I mean, there have been lots of cars throughout my life that have captivated me, but none have held my attention as much as the 308 GT4. It's fitting that mine is red, as the first one I ever saw way back in 1987 was also red. But I am looking forward to getting it back to the original green. It's also interesting how quick it all happens when the time comes. I spent 35 years wanting one, but then when I found the one I wanted it was mine in a matter of minutes. I still can't believe this is real!

 

Great Story! Thanks for sharing! Mike

 

Nice. Can you post a picture of the original car when it was green? Does the paint sticker still have the original color listed?

 

Here's a couple of shots, I'll definitely look for the paint sticker—that would be pretty definitive!

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Verde Pino Metallico.

Look at this post from the previous owner in 2016:
https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/posts/144480500/

Great story by the way!

 

That's beautiful. Why would anyone change that color?

 

Congrats on a very cool ride.
My first Ferrari was a 1975 Dino GT4 sn 10886. I traded a Porsche 944 for it back in 1987, IIRC. Much unloved, it had 110.000 miles on it, a tired motor, bad 2nd gear synchros, and a vinyl/cloth interior (which I am told was original). Had lots of fun fixing it and driving it. The long wheelbase makes the GT4 a pleasure to drive and there was room in the back seat for 2 small children. Had the car 'till 89 and sold it to by a 308 GTB.

GT4's IMHO have really stood the test of time. They look better today, both inside and out. Like many 308's, they are rugged and reliable.
Enjoy the car. There's many of us on this site that still have a soft spot for the Dino GT4.

 

Enjoy!! Congrats on this beautiful story!


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Congratulations!
Nothing like getting your first Ferrari and the realization of a lifelong dream.

 

My thoughts exactly!


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Awesome! My ‘75 #10400 was originally Pinot Verde M (now Giallo/Black Boxer). The green is a great color.

 

Before I landed 10388, I had looked at another 1975 model that was the same color scheme as yours. These cars look good in that color too. Ultimately, the owner of that one decided not to sell. And I'm happy about that as I absolutely love the one I bought! But, here's the yellow one I was considering:

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That's a precious gem! Congrats

 

Great story. Much congratulations.

 

I mean, I DID sell it to a guy in CA!

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Congratulations, enjoy the drive.

 

congrats