Discussion
I started a thread here a while ago about 208 GTB/GTSs, as I had an opportunity to get one for a decent price. The lack of overall adulation put me off, and I didn't get it.
I've always felt that shape of Ferrari is probably the prettiest car ever made, but the other day I saw a Dino 308, on 16" wheels and it floored me with its beauty. I'm even liking the cab-forward design (something I hate about modern supercars).
I was never a fan at the time, but now I'm wondering if they are due for more appreciation. What's the consensus? A decent buy? A decent drive? Would I be happy that it's not a Pininfarina 308?
I've always felt that shape of Ferrari is probably the prettiest car ever made, but the other day I saw a Dino 308, on 16" wheels and it floored me with its beauty. I'm even liking the cab-forward design (something I hate about modern supercars).
I was never a fan at the time, but now I'm wondering if they are due for more appreciation. What's the consensus? A decent buy? A decent drive? Would I be happy that it's not a Pininfarina 308?
Doofus said:
A decent buy? A decent drive? Would I be happy that it's not a Pininfarina 308?
An excellent drive, especially in its proper 3 litre form. Who cares it's not by Pininfarina when you've a car penned by Gandini ? (Miura, Countach, Diablo, Iso Lele, Lancia Stratos). A decent buy? Obvs depends how much & in what condition it's in.A car with Speedlines may be a little trickier to find. But I'd worry about the wheels later, they're easy enough to source if you're prepared to wait & since the Cromadoras were also fitted to the 246 Dino, you'd get a fair price for those. Focus on condition & the body colour you like. With up to 70k, you should be able to get something LHD in very good order.
roygarth said:
I was looking at 308GT4 / Uracco / Merak last year.
Ended up buying a Merak SS.
The performance of all three is pretty similar and in the end the gorgeous looks of the Merak was the decider.
I love classic Maseratis, but I've never got on with the Merak or Bora. I ought to give them another look, I guess.Ended up buying a Merak SS.
The performance of all three is pretty similar and in the end the gorgeous looks of the Merak was the decider.
Edited by roygarth on Wednesday 6th June 20:55
The 308 GT4 has finally come of age and looks great again - It's now retro-cool!
One downside (to me at least), is that, rather than looking like something Bertone had come up with especially for Ferrari, the design looks far too much like an off the shelf design, that could have originally been intended for Lamborghini.
If you compare the front ends of the Ferrari 308 GT4 and the Lamborghini Urraco, you get a better idea of what I mean:
There is a definite "family" resemblance between the two designs.
The Pininfarina designed 308 GTB/GTS on the other hand, was bespoke to Ferrari, and the only other car that carried a similar design was the Ferrari 365 BB/512 BB.
As I say though, today, the 308 GT4 is now retro-cool and looking good!
One downside (to me at least), is that, rather than looking like something Bertone had come up with especially for Ferrari, the design looks far too much like an off the shelf design, that could have originally been intended for Lamborghini.
If you compare the front ends of the Ferrari 308 GT4 and the Lamborghini Urraco, you get a better idea of what I mean:
There is a definite "family" resemblance between the two designs.
The Pininfarina designed 308 GTB/GTS on the other hand, was bespoke to Ferrari, and the only other car that carried a similar design was the Ferrari 365 BB/512 BB.
As I say though, today, the 308 GT4 is now retro-cool and looking good!
4rephill said:
The 308 GT4 has finally come of age and looks great again - It's now retro-cool!
One downside (to me at least), is that, rather than looking like something Bertone had come up with especially for Ferrari, the design looks far too much like an off the shelf design, that could have originally been intended for Lamborghini.
If you compare the front ends of the Ferrari 308 GT4 and the Lamborghini Urraco, you get a better idea of what I mean:
There is a definite "family" resemblance between the two designs.
The Pininfarina designed 308 GTB/GTS on the other hand, was bespoke to Ferrari, and the only other car that carried a similar design was the Ferrari 365 BB/512 BB.
308 GT4 & Urraco were both styled by Marcello Gandini.One downside (to me at least), is that, rather than looking like something Bertone had come up with especially for Ferrari, the design looks far too much like an off the shelf design, that could have originally been intended for Lamborghini.
If you compare the front ends of the Ferrari 308 GT4 and the Lamborghini Urraco, you get a better idea of what I mean:
There is a definite "family" resemblance between the two designs.
The Pininfarina designed 308 GTB/GTS on the other hand, was bespoke to Ferrari, and the only other car that carried a similar design was the Ferrari 365 BB/512 BB.
308 GTB/GTS & 365 / 512 BB were both styled by Leonardo Fioravanti.
Bertone/Pininfarina are just companies.
4rephill said:
The 308 GT4 has finally come of age and looks great again - It's now retro-cool!
One downside (to me at least), is that, rather than looking like something Bertone had come up with especially for Ferrari, the design looks far too much like an off the shelf design, that could have originally been intended for Lamborghini.
If you compare the front ends of the Ferrari 308 GT4 and the Lamborghini Urraco, you get a better idea of what I mean:
There is a definite "family" resemblance between the two designs.
The Pininfarina designed 308 GTB/GTS on the other hand, was bespoke to Ferrari, and the only other car that carried a similar design was the Ferrari 365 BB/512 BB.
As I say though, today, the 308 GT4 is now retro-cool and looking good!
I think it’s the Morris Marina door handles that lets them down.One downside (to me at least), is that, rather than looking like something Bertone had come up with especially for Ferrari, the design looks far too much like an off the shelf design, that could have originally been intended for Lamborghini.
If you compare the front ends of the Ferrari 308 GT4 and the Lamborghini Urraco, you get a better idea of what I mean:
There is a definite "family" resemblance between the two designs.
The Pininfarina designed 308 GTB/GTS on the other hand, was bespoke to Ferrari, and the only other car that carried a similar design was the Ferrari 365 BB/512 BB.
As I say though, today, the 308 GT4 is now retro-cool and looking good!
Looked so much better on a Esprit
Having owned mine now for over 24 yrs, I am rather biased, but they are probably one of the best handling cars within the 308-348 era, before driver aids took over. granted they have lived in the shadows in regards to looks, but inside to drive all around view is great with a practical cabin. They are getting rare now and finally starting to appreciate. It was the 1st V8 Ferrari road car and the engine can be traced up to the 360.
They are tunable and the suspension is fully adjustable. Find a good one and enjoy something different.
Gavc said:
Having owned mine now for over 24 yrs, I am rather biased, but they are probably one of the best handling cars within the 308-348 era, before driver aids took over. granted they have lived in the shadows in regards to looks, but inside to drive all around view is great with a practical cabin. They are getting rare now and finally starting to appreciate. It was the 1st V8 Ferrari road car and the engine can be traced up to the 360.
They are tunable and the suspension is fully adjustable. Find a good one and enjoy something different.
You'll have mail when I'm buying!They are tunable and the suspension is fully adjustable. Find a good one and enjoy something different.
4rephill said:
The 308 GT4 has finally come of age and looks great again - It's now retro-cool!
One downside (to me at least), is that, rather than looking like something Bertone had come up with especially for Ferrari, the design looks far too much like an off the shelf design, that could have originally been intended for Lamborghini.
If you compare the front ends of the Ferrari 308 GT4 and the Lamborghini Urraco, you get a better idea of what I mean:
There is a definite "family" resemblance between the two designs.
The Pininfarina designed 308 GTB/GTS on the other hand, was bespoke to Ferrari, and the only other car that carried a similar design was the Ferrari 365 BB/512 BB.
As I say though, today, the 308 GT4 is now retro-cool and looking good!
You're much closer to the truth than you probably realise - work started on the Urraco in late '68 / early '69 (the genesis was the Bertone Carabo concept of 1968) and one of Gandini's proposals for this was rejected by Ferruccio Lamborghini, it was 'left on the shelf' at Bertone and dusted off when they got the Dino contact from Ferrari. Here's the 308GT4 prototype on test...One downside (to me at least), is that, rather than looking like something Bertone had come up with especially for Ferrari, the design looks far too much like an off the shelf design, that could have originally been intended for Lamborghini.
If you compare the front ends of the Ferrari 308 GT4 and the Lamborghini Urraco, you get a better idea of what I mean:
There is a definite "family" resemblance between the two designs.
The Pininfarina designed 308 GTB/GTS on the other hand, was bespoke to Ferrari, and the only other car that carried a similar design was the Ferrari 365 BB/512 BB.
As I say though, today, the 308 GT4 is now retro-cool and looking good!
And the early Urraco buck at Bertone...
I've been looking into GT4s for a while now, there are quite a few about in the £45k to £60k bracket, both LHD and RHD. Meraks seem to be about £10k to £20k more and Urracos another £10k to £20k on top of that(more for RHD examples), but there are far fewer Urracos around, at least here in the UK anyway. By some odd coincidence though, there are currently three RHD Meraks for sale in the UK!
Edited by P5BNij on Saturday 9th June 19:54
Edited by P5BNij on Saturday 9th June 19:56
Edited by P5BNij on Saturday 9th June 20:09
Apologies for the multiple edits above, having some bother with my pc.... here's another comparison with the GT4 and Urraco…
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C977011
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C844264
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C907042
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C981674
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C992637
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C964343
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C962493
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C899112
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C977011
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C844264
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C907042
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C981674
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C992637
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C964343
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C962493
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C899112
Edited by P5BNij on Saturday 9th June 20:06
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