Thanks, Jon. I’d been wondering when Harry would get around to the GT4. His reviews are the best with their straightforward production values and lack of drama.
Yah I saw that. Interesting his view of the handling between it and the 308 GTB That might be the best GT4 I've ever seen.
It's a great review from Harry. The guys from the Carmudgeon show (Jason owns a GT4 which he bought from Derek) also describe the handling differences between a GT4 and GTB in the same way. (I've never driven a GTB so I can't comment on that myself.)
Handling . Remember with the Dino thing , Enzo wanted to produce a car for racing .Initial Le Mans . I think it did a couple of seasons post launch 73 and supported a privateer in 74 , but marred by French ( De Gaul ) politicking ….not wanting any other than a French ( Matra ) to win the GT class .Enzo lost his rag with the French so pulled out ……no surprises there …..to concentrate on Lauda s F1 campaign in the 312 which as it happed was fruitful in 75 upwards . That’s why they were and still are the only Ferrari road going car made with even numbers ,The racing cars were even numbered the road odd numbered that came out of Marenello . As we all know the Pininfarina 308/208 came two yrs later the first vetroresina s by late 1975 . Obviously for production reasons the identical running gear / engine / components but on a shortened chassis .This shorter loosing the subtle handing balance Harry’s alluding to the original GT 4 had .Still right up there Pininfarina cars mind but not quite as good on the twisty stuff as the GT 4 s . Adding a bit more meat on the little understood GT 4 story …..which compliments Harry’s vids with a few more facts and busts a few “ internet lore “ myths still floating around disrespect of the Bertone car ..
Thank God the truth is finally becoming mainstream. It only took the masses till recently to be shown their mistakes. Got my gt4 20 years ago when their general disdain meant you could purchase them for under 20k. Today better than the stock market.
Ive always loved the GT4. To look at it you would not think it has four seats. I think thats the real beauty of it. With all that being said, I think Ferrari should have put in a more powerful motor, but as with all other 3x8s of that era (70s / 80s) the design of the cars and the overall driving experience makes up for any lack of power . Big G
IMO the non-smog Euro 308 GT4 has plenty of power, especially for the 70s. It will outrun most other cars of the period and even today it doesn’t feel slow on the road.
