Fantasy Junction

Description

1975 Ferrari 308GT4
s/n 10606, Engine no. *01225*
Nocciola Metallic with Beige Leather and Brown Cloth Interior

Given that so many contemporary performance cars now favor mid engine design, it is hard to imagine that Ferrari once resisted mid-engine layouts for their cars. So hesitant was Enzo about mid-engine design that he insisted the first mid-engined road car they produced, the 206, be launched under a different brand name: the Dino. Yet gradually, as competitors entered the market, the mid-engine ideal began to shift not just Ferrari, but the entire performance car industry. With the introduction of the V8 engine, the final piece of the puzzle fell into place, creating a formula which has existed continuously ever since: the mid-engined V8-powered Ferrari.

Unlike previous Pininfarina designs, the newly launched GT4 was linear and angular, challenging the former rounded architecture of the previous decades. The fresh Bertone design, penned by Marcello Gandini and personally guided by Enzo Ferrari himself, featured a sizable trunk, room behind the front seats for luggage and small passengers, and reasonable access to the transverse mounted dual overhead cam V8 engine, a first for Ferrari. Seating position was pushed forward, creating fantastic visibility. The 5-speed synchromesh transaxle allowed for smooth shifts, bringing all of 240hp (in US trim) to the drive wheels, returning excellent performance for the period. In 1977, Ferrari dropped the Dino name entirely, branding all subsequent GT4 models as Ferraris.

This particular Ferrari 308GT4 was manufactured in April 1975 and supplied new to Ramsey Motors in San Francisco, CA, September 24, 1976. Finished in Nocciola Metallic (Hazelnut) with beige leather and brown cloth interior, the car was further optioned with tinted glass, heated rear window, metallic paint, air conditioning, electric windows, leather and cloth interior, and radio wiring with loudspeakers and antenna. At the dealer, the radio was added along with a set of carpet mats, increasing the $22,100.00 sticker price to $26,100.00. The car was sold to Bob Benson Buick, Petaluma, CA, December 3, 1976. Benson was a Ferrari collector who frequently would display his cars in his Buick showroom, reportedly pointing out to would-be Buick buyers the great value a Buick presented when compared to the Ferrari. Benson displayed the car in his Buick showroom but never titled it, instead adding roughly 400 miles to the car before selling it to its first registered owner in 1978.

That owner used the car regularly and reliably as his commuter car for thirty years, amassing an astonishing 213,000 miles by 2007 when it was time for the second engine rebuild (the first having been done at roughly 100k miles). Ongoing service and maintenance has been done partially by the owner, with the larger jobs being performed by Larry Buskirk in Novato, CA. The most recent engine rebuild performed was invoiced in excess of $19,000.00 approximately 6,000 miles ago. The work included a complete engine rebuild: rebuilding the heads, cams, belts, main bearings, rings, valves, and installing a new clutch, and a new gas tank. All this work was followed closely by suspension, bushings, and brake work totaling over $4000.00 and again an additional $3000.00 spent to improve the ignition, coils, and fuel delivery system. Thoughtful upgrades have been done over the years including MSD ignition, performance exhaust, and larger 60 series tires for improved handling. He retained the car until 2015, at which point it became part of the Fantasy Junction collection.

Today, this matching numbers Ferrari GT4 presents in remarkably nice condition, and has covered 218,479 miles. The glossy exterior paint is accented with black Boxer trim and pin stripes. There are a few minor light road chips along the rocker panels and some scuff marks on the lower front air dam, as well as few scratches and some checking in the right air scoop. The body panels show good fit overall with no major flaws, opening easily and closing without issues. The hood, headlight doors and bumpers are very nicely aligned to the body. The doors and deck lids are also nicely fitting to the body indicating that the car has not seen significant structural compromise. The front and rear bumpers are in very good shape with no major damage. The side and rear glass appears to be original to the car with no major scratches or chips of note. The glass lighting and plastic lenses are also in very good condition. Dealers or owners often added Ferrari badging to Dino cars, and this case, Ferrari hood and wheel emblems were added, but the Dino script remains on the rear of the car. The side glass trim is in very nice condition, free from major scratches or dings and the lower black “Boxer” paint is nicely applied, with accenting black pin stripe lines at the beltline and very nice exterior chrome door handles and side mirror. The wheels are in very good condition with no visible curb rash, shod with lower profile wider tires giving the car a slightly lower and more aggressive stance.

The interior is in very good condition overall displaying largely original materials throughout, with the exception of the driver’s seat, which has been recovered in a matching material. The light brown carpet is in good condition and matches the original feel of the interior overall. The black dashboard shows no cracks and is remarkably well-presrved, while the silver accented instrumentation is in very good condition with clear glass and contrasting dials, displaying a cohesive original appearance. While not fresh, the feel of the interior is very satisfying for the enthusiast, with an honest, unrestored, authentic feel that remains surprisingly crisp. The switchgear, Blaupunkt radio, and A/C controls are present and in good condition, nestled inside the center console. The trunk retains its original carpet and shows light wear. The spare tire compartment is clean and tidy, in very good overall condition, appearing unrestored yet nicely preserved.

Under the hood, the car presents a very nice numbers matching engine and clean engine compartment, featuring original components, finishes, and good attention to detail. Wiring, fittings, and lines all appear to have been replaced with correct style and specification pieces performed during the engine rebuild just 6,000 miles ago. The air conditioning unit is in place but does not blow cold. The underside of the car is clean and solid, though not detailed, showing signs of use, some front under-valance scuffing and minor wear. The body and chassis seams appear very nice - reflective of the originality of the car and its lifetime spent in the dry California climate.

The car starts easily, warm or cold, and settles into a smooth idle. Throttle response is excellent and the exhaust system gives the car a newfound rortiness not present in the standard GT4. Driving this GT4, the clutch takes up easily and the gearbox shifts smoothly and has a nice tight linkage. Like most Ferraris of this period, second gear works best after the gearbox has warmed up. On the road and at speed, the driver position and forward stance returns a Formula One experience, reminding us that the great Niki Lauda, himself a Ferrari racing champion, had a hand in developing the suspension geometry specifically for the GT4. The car is remarkably tight and coherent in its operation, defying the mileage the car has covered. The car comes with the original Dino 308GT4 owner’s manual (North American Version) and factory literature in the original pouch, original window sticker, a tool kit in good condition (minus a few tools), and about 15 years of fairly comprehensive service records and sporadic records dating back to 1978. The car was featured in the Ferrari magazine Forza in 2013 (issue #127) in an article titled “The Long Haul”

This unique Ferrari 308GT4 has a fascinating story. A lifelong California car with one registered owner, it has been used and enjoyed as few Ferraris have, and wears its miles with grace and pride. It drives and presents well, has been properly looked after, and is finished in a wonderfully “unred” color with unusual (for the US) cloth upholstery. Complete with books, records, and tools, is ready for ongoing enjoyment and thrilling drives, with zero fear about affecting the value by adding mileage as the car heads toward the unique milestone of becoming a quarter million mile Ferrari.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608