Ferrari 308 GT4

[rev-erend]

OK - Ferrari buffs; Who designed the 308GT4

I know it was not pininferina but who was it.

[shadowninja]

bertone

those 308 GT4's are becoming cult classics now aren't they? simple, clean lines... altho not that many people like their look

>> Edited by shadowninja on Monday 16th December 22:37

[rev-erend]

Thanks Shadow - someone who I work with here
this week in Yank land has a 308GT4 QV - I
always thought they got dropped before the QV
came along .. but I always loved the shape of
the GT4.

[shadowninja]

well, with it not being as in demand as other ferraris it does enjoy a lower price tag which will be a bonus for you if you love the look

[Davel]

Help! I've just sold my 1980 911 SC Targa and am looking for a replacement little toy. I'm considering a 308 GT 4 and I think that I've found one. The question is:

Are my running costs suddenly likely to be horrendous - as I had no problems at all with the 911. I suppose that I'd be doing about 4k miles per annum in her.

I've always dreamt of having a Ferrari and at the moment a 308 GT 4 or maybe a Mondial is about all that I can afford for the moment - sad or what?

[kevinday]

It will almost certainly cost more to run than the 911, servicing will be more labour intensive (I think it is an engine out requirement for several 'normal' operations)

[Captain Muppet]

Davel said: I've always dreamt of having a Ferrari and at the moment a 308 GT 4 or maybe a Mondial is about all that I can afford for the moment - sad or what?

Not as sad as only being able to afford a 15 year old MR2.

[dougt]

I think the running costs would be similar to the 308 / 328 series, so for a reasonably sorted car I'd reakon on an average of £1K - £1.5K per year from an independant specialist.

My 1980 308 GTS (same engine, gearbox etc as the GT4) was fairly flimsy bodywise so I'd look carefully for rust and / or dubious 'restorations' (both of which were plentiful on my car). Mechanically it was surprisingly strong, even after 14 previous owners (one of whom was Keke Rosburg, ex F1 champ, incidentally) and 75k miles.

[davel]

Thanks guys, your comments have been really helpful, so I'll get the car inspected and hopefully clench the deal.

A final thought - any ideas what these would have cost new when they came out? Maybe I could run her as a company car!

I'll see you around!

Cheers!

>> Edited by davel on Wednesday 18th December 10:37

[nevpugh308]

(I think it is an engine out requirement for several 'normal' operations)

Assuming it's the same as a 308GTS (as mentioned, same engine/box) you can pretty much rebuild the engine in-situ if you want. It's not like a 355 which needs the engine dropping for the cambelts.

[nevpugh308]

p.s. weren't they around 11k GBP new ?

[nevpugh308]

I always thought they got dropped before the QV
came along

They did. Early 308GTS/B's (like mine) were carb / 2valve cars too (i.e. the same engine). Maybe that car had had a replacement engine from a later 308 ?

[davel]

I'd have thought somewhere between £11 - £13k at the time sounds about right. Someone told me an AC3000ME was about £750 cheaper but that people said why buy an AC when for the difference you could buy a Ferrari!

>> Edited by davel on Thursday 19th December 17:16

[308gt4]

kevinday said: It will almost certainly cost more to run than the 911, servicing will be more labour intensive (I think it is an engine out requirement for several 'normal' operations)

engine out only for a rebuild [I wouldn't like to try it insitu Nev )

extremely reliable over the last 5 years I've owned mine and that includes a lot of track time.

One thing though, either know a good auto electrician or become one yourself, the age of these cars will be playing merry havoc with the electrics if you don't use them on a regular basis.

As a regular daily driver company car .......it probably will either be the best or worst idea you've come up with

My car has 135K kms on it and has excellent compression and has never had the valves done (an important consideration as the sodium filled valves have been known to fall off into the engine )

[nevpugh308]

Aren't the sodium filled valves only on the later QV 308's ? (or am I talking rubbish again, can't remember, was out last night in Nottingham, brain fuzzy)

[davel]

All the news sound pretty encouraging and so she's being inspected on Monday.Everyone tells me that the 308 GT4's a great little car so I can't wait to hopefully clinch the deal. Pity it's silver and not red but who cares - it's a Ferrari!

Happy Christmas everyone and thanks for the advice!

Cheers

[308gt4]

nevpugh308 said: Aren't the sodium filled valves only on the later QV 308's ? (or am I talking rubbish again, can't remember, was out last night in Nottingham, brain fuzzy)

Nev, all the 2v 308s are sodium filled, QVs onwards weren't IIRC. There have been many discussions in Ferrari forums about sodium filled valves, should you change them regardless of the mileage, no need if the car has been regularly used, etc.

Mine is a 74 Dino (pre-Ferrari badges) and has been used a lot by Ferrari standards so there may be a case for sodium filled valves in cars that are used on a "regular" basis.

I'm taking mine historic racing next year so am going to do the titanium valve exchange thing to protect against valve droppings

I don't know if it's the same for any of you guys but the only time I get a white-ish exhaust is at the end of a trackday [along with the paint removal from the muffler)