I think the Forza GT4 buyers guide mentiones the longer wheelbase/better handling of the GT4. I'm going to quote Rob Garven here as to why the GT4 is one of the best of the 308 series: ------------------------------------------------------------------------- carbs real trunk longer wheel base better visibility better handling better seating position back seats for wifes stuff cooler instument cluster cooler seats much easier engine access less smog stuff exempt in CA for smog carbs Enzo Ferrari liked it, he even had a mock-up made where he moved the seats forward and backwards trying to get what he felt was the best driving position. plus it is a Dino, and Enzo loved his son above all else. It even has even serial numbers just like other dinos and the race cars i know many dont like the styling ( I still think it is molto bene) and the it is still the cheapest ferrari available. But just ask anyone who has owned or driven one. It is funny as many people say oh they make great track cars. meaning they handle great. Did I mention easy engine access. If you work on your car like I do this has to go to the top of the list. PS the previous owner of my car still wants to buy it back, and he has had 275, lussos, 365 2+2, etc. dont get me wrong I love every Ferrari and every 8 cylinder model, I just think that the gt4 gets a bad rap considering what it has to offer ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dom
IT's biggest criticism always seems to be with the way it looks, but I think that has more to do with people taking some kind of moral highground becauses it's not Pininfarina designed. I think Betone did a fantastic job considering the brief for a trasnsverse mid engined 2+2. Perhaps in the ealy 70s it's angular styling was at odds with italian trends, (Lancia Stratos, Alfasud, Fiat x-19, Lamborghini Countach and Uracco....Hmm, maybe not!) but as the years pass, it looks better and better. It's one of those Ferraris that does not look at it's best in Rosso. But put it in a metallic colour (especially grigio) it looks fantastic. It also looks good in white which is seldom the case with a Ferrari..... GTBs and GTSs are ten a penny, but to seeing a GT4 on the road seems a real treat...
No argument from me, except maybe the "baby" Ferrari label. Sure drives and sounds like the real thing. When I took it home from the dealer Wednesday, everyone in the shop stopped to listen and look as I pulled out, so clearly, the Ferrari guys love them, too. I've put a couple hundred miles on this in the last day, and have to say, I love it!!! And nothing beats the look of an unmolested 246GT. Image Unavailable, Please Login
It looks so... content. Obviously as happy to be in your care as you under it's spell. Off topic: Any relation to Bob Matthias?
Olympian, decathalon champ 1950's era? Nope, he spells his name wrong. Bob Mathias, one 't', we're all two t's.
Dave your car is beautiful!! I love that design. Elegant, gracious yet sexy. What is the price range for these models?
I'm in the mid 60's right now for this car. Nice examplese can be had mid 60's for GT, maybe low to mid 80's for a GTS. But really noce examples can fetch more. Special cars in the high '90's to mid 100K range.
It's interesting to read peoples reaction to this post. The Dino, as they said in the Victory by Design program, really was one of Ferrari's most important cars. Don't forget that Mike Hawthorn and Phil Hill both won their Formula One World Championships in cars powered by the Dino V6. I've always held that the Dinos deliver more USABLE performance (as in "smiles per mile") than the big V12 cars. I chuckle at the "Ferrari snobs" who say that anything other than a 12 cylinder car is not a Ferrari. Where do you classify all those incredible 4, 6 and 8 cylinder race cars? Is the 4 cylinder Testa Rossa not a Ferrari? Ah well, every time I open the door on my 246GTS I see the Prancing horse on the factory plaque on the door jamb. And when I wind the engine up near the redline....only a Ferrari sounds like that. And my GT4 is indeed more enjoyable to drive than any 308GTB or S I've ever tried.
to add a few details. all dino engines for the road cars (206, 246 and fiat dinos) were built by fiat. ferrari design yes, but built by fiat. bodies were built by either scaglietti, pininfarina or bertone depending on whether 206/246, fiat dino spider or coupe. the 206/246 pieces were assembled by ferrari. fiat dino w/ 2.0 assembled by fiat at rivalta plant. fiat dino with 2.4 assembled by ferrari at maranello in new buildings built and paid for by fiat for dino (246 and fiat dino) production. and while we are at it, the cromodora wheels on all dinos are a fiat design for which they won an award in 1966. wheels on 206 and early 246 are cast fiat and not with the dino script.
An excellent detail that is often overlooked. Enzo's son was a budding mechanical engineer who had strong beliefs in the value of the 6 cylinder engine configuration. He died young of muscular dystrophy and Enzo had the Dino made in honour of his son. It is by no means a bastard car or any less a 'Ferrari' . In fact it was not a Ferrari at all; it was a Dino and it is not correct for it to be badged otherwise. Whenever you see any Ferrari badging on a Dino it was added after it left the factory. With regards to the styling, it is interesting to note that it was penned by legendary Pininfarina stylist Leonardo Fioravanti (Pininfarina is a design house in Italy and Fioravanti was the designer) who was responsible also for the Daytona, 308, TR, and I believe 275 Models. More can be read about him at www.fioravanti.it
if you look at the early 308 prototypes, they have hood badging insets designed to house the "dino" logo. by the time the car was introduced, the car had changed to ferrari, as had the 308gt4. there are several well known pictures of the 308 test mules stacked up on a factory back lot that clearly indicate the original destiny for the the series. i do not know of any 308's (other than the 308gt4) that ever had a dino badge.
