First Post – Curious About Value of a Dino 308 GT4 With Strong Dino Identity

@dyerhaus — It’s that awful state of limbo that’s messing with my head right now: do I have the car, did someone else beat me to it, or has the seller suddenly smelled blood and wants more money?
The shared link now only shows “preview,” but I have another link that still displays the full set of photos (link below)

@Zenobie — no need to be sorry AT ALL!! I believe the auction officially ended on May 28th, but after the long weekend everything went quiet. It’s being handled by an auction company, yes, though I’m still not 100% sure about the details behind the sale, who the seller is, what the reserve was, and so on. I’ve traced this car back to multiple auction attempts from 2023 onward where it never met reserve. I really hope my offer, which I believe is entirely fair for a project car that's edging into barn-find territory, will be accepted.

Now that I know the car was actually built in October 1974, not 1975 as listed, it suddenly adds an extra layer of emotional value. That early build date gives it the pure Dino DNA I was hunting for. That said, it’s definitely not a perfectly original car (anymore), and that’s actually part of the appeal for me.

Here’s what I’ve spotted so far:

• Ferrari script on the back (shouldn’t be there for a ’74 Dino).
  
  
• Prancing horse near the license plate (same deal).
  
  
• Steering wheel is a good replica but not the original MOMO with black leather and white stitching.
  
  
• Spare tire is missing—and wow, I had no idea those things were €3600!
  
  
• Wing mirror: this one’s tricky. The one on the car doesn’t look “right,” but defining what is right is its own debate. A Vitaloni Baby Tornado is often cited as period-correct, but as it was delivered new in Belgium (via Garage Francorchamps), it might not have had a mirror at all from the factory.

That’s all just the cosmetic stuff.

Mechanically, it hasn’t been serviced since 2010 and has to be started “with care.” So I’m mentally bracing for:

• Full engine rebuild
  
  
• Carburetor overhaul & synchronization
  
  
• Transmission/clutch inspection or replacement
  
  
• Timing belts and tensioners
  
  
• Brake system overhaul
  
  
• Suspension and steering refresh
  
  
• Electrical inspection & repair
  
  
• New tires

Oh, and the car must go back to its original and utterly gorgeous color: Marrone Metallizzato 106-M-73. That’s non-negotiable in my book.

So yeah… it’s a list. A long list. But it’s exactly why I fell in love with this particular Dino.

link with full set of photos: https://www.auctionport.be/en/lot/porsche/174800

 

@Patrick Dixon
Thanks so much for this reply. It really does help to hear from someone who’s walked the walk, and for that long no less! That photo in front of the factory is really cool and I hope to make my own version of that one some day.

I really take your point about not chasing perfection unless you're prepared for the cost, financially and mentally. And yes, it’s become very clear to me that a GT4 restoration isn’t for the faint of heart, even if the heart is very much in it. Another recent example I was following is Larry Webster's "$25K Project Dino".

But you also nailed what makes this particular car so appealing to me, it's a bit tired, not entirely original, and hiding who knows what underneath. Which, strangely, makes it all the more intriguing. I know I'll regret ever saying these things if I eventually get to work on one of these.

Let’s just say… if things go the way I hope, there’s a plan. A long one. And if it works out, I think it could become something very special. Time will tell

Thanks again for the wisdom. Much appreciated.

 

Hi @dyerhaus ,

Wow and ouch that's an incredible and detailed response. Thank you so much for taking the time to go through everything so carefully.

You're absolutely right that the “start with care” remark was wildly optimistic given the 15-year gap since the last documented service. So I did approach this as a non-starter. If this car does end up in my garage, not a single bolt is getting touched before everything is inspected thoroughly and rebuilt where needed. I’m fully budgeting for a mechanical restoration first, with a cautious mindset, and you've just reinforced that plan.

The list you’ve added is gold, even if it stings a little , from the missing Bertone badge to that creative carpet trim. The red light under the bumper and the strange trunk carpet were already on my “what’s going on here?” list, but I hadn’t clocked the incorrect airbox details or the Bosch coils. Super helpful. Your note on the document pouch and tools also puts things into a sobering financial perspective, restoring correctness can cost more than restoring function in some areas!

About the red light under the bumper btw: that seems to be a addition to the car as a Legal Requirement: In many European countries, including Belgium, rear fog lights became mandatory starting in the late 1970s or early 1980s.

That said… this is the car that set something alight in me. The fact that it’s not “perfect” is part of the magic (but at what cost of course). It has layers. It has questions. And if I ever get the chance, I want to take it back to the way it rolled out of the factory in October ’74. Marrone Dino Metallizzato and all.

One step at a time, of course. The MAIN goal is just to her driving, reliably. So I can "drive" the car and hopefully use it frequently enough. Then we drive her somewhere meaningful. And all the other things will be huge bonuses but remain a goal.

Thanks again! Your guidance is both humbling and inspiring, and I’d love to call on your knowledge further if this dream takes shape.

 

I finally got a response and the offer was rejected. The seller is not willing to take anything else BUT his asking price which is currently 70k.

I think people have lost the run of themselves.

 

Hey @mike996 — totally fair question, and you're right that top-condition 308 GT4s can fetch impressive prices these days, sometimes even over $120K if they're pristine, restored, Classiche certified, and fully documented.

But the car I looked at is not one of those. It hasn’t been serviced since 2010, has a number of originality issues (missing Bertone badge, incorrect interior trim, non-original color, incorrect engine details, etc.), and comes with none of the documentation or tools. It’s essentially a barn-find that needs a full mechanical and cosmetic restoration.

At €70,000, that’s already $75K+ — before restoration. Add another $40-50K minimum, and you’re into concours money... for a car that still might not be matching numbers or Classiche eligible.

So yeah — in that context, I really do think people are starting to lose the run of themselves.

 

That's a great question, but in a collecting environment, "what do you think it’s worth?" is almost always a question without a right or wrong answer. The truth is: collectibles are worth what the highest bidder is willing to pay, and nothing more or less.

That said, I personally think asking €70K for this particular car, in its current condition, is really "losing the run of themselves." For context: in April of this year, a running 308 GT4, in the same country, last serviced in 2023, with hard-to-find items like the correct spare wheel, sold for €44K. It wasn’t concours by any means, but it was in clearly better shape than this one, which hasn’t seen a service since 2010, and needs to be started with care (or rather not at all).

So is €70K realistic? In my opinion, no. Not at all. But that is my opinion.
But, and here’s the nuance, if someone walks in tomorrow and happily pays €70K, then guess what? That becomes the new benchmark for a GT4 in this state. It could happen. Markets shift.

So what’s it worth to me?
Honestly, I could say €1 million, because that’s how much I love these cars. But what I can realistically pay, and what constitutes fair market value — those are entirely different things. I had calculated that the works needed to the car to get it to drive well, would exceed 25k, and that's without any aesthetic changes or structural work to the body etc. So I was willing to pay 35k.

 

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OMG OMG OMG

Okay I need to breath!!

I just got off the phone with the seller of the GT4 with the blue interior, chassis number 08788.

It turns out the seller still has the original document map that came with the car and the toolkit and jack. The service history is incomplete though.

BUT...

He liked our chat and the passion I have for the car and he will consider a bid of 55k..... pinch me.... am I sleeping?

 

Hey all,

Ha! I realized I accidentally posted what was meant to be a personal message to someone publicly in this forum and by the time I realized it it was too late to be deleted. That’s what happens when you get caught up in the excitement of the moment — and god, was I excited.

But since it’s out there now… yes, I’ve been chasing a dream I never thought would be within reach — and somehow, it might just happen. I totally hear the comments about stepping back and looking wider, and they’re valid. And this is not the car I was initially looking into, I let that one go as that certainly not worth the 70k that was asked. It’s not just about ticking boxes, it’s about a personal story that connects deeply with the car and what I hope to build around it.

That said, I'm still proceeding with both eyes open and heart on my sleeve — cautiously optimistic, and painfully aware of what old Ferraris (especially Dinos) can throw at you.

Appreciate the thoughts and advice — keep it coming!

In a follow up conversation we came to an agreement for 55k for what in my opinion is a dream car and the person selling it might just be the nicest person I have come across in my life. I'm still pinching myself.... and will probably not sleep tonight - lol

Once the papers are signed and the car is officially mine I'll post LOADS of pictures!

 

Thanks @LE06
Honestly, hearing that from someone who’s been there makes all the difference. It’s crazy how strong this feeling is, right? You think you're just buying a car… and suddenly your inner child is having a full-blown meltdown, but in a good way — LOL.

That last-minute bid moment you had? That’s the stuff of legends. And now, even just the idea that I might be joining the club… it still feels surreal. But it’s heartwarming to know there’s a group of people like you guys here who totally get it.