Registration - OAL 534P

Chassis No. - 08918

M.O.T. - Exempt

Odometer - 62,999

Eye-catching with its svelte Bertone-designed 1970’s bodywork, this example of Ferrari’s 308 GT4 Dino is presented superbly in the Italian marque’s legendary Rosso red and offered at No Reserve. The 2+2 coupe is powered by Ferrari’s transversely mid-mounted 3.0-litre V8, matched to a five-speed manual gearbox, the gearstick sitting in the famous Ferrari open gate, and featuring that rare but driver-focused element; a dog-leg first gear. It’s just one sign of the work that went into the Ferrari’s interior which, like the exterior, is widely considered to have aged impeccably. ‘OEL 534P’ comes with an indicated 62,999 miles on the odometer and has been cherished for the past 20 years by an engineer who specialises in classic and rally cars, with more than 40 years in the industry.

It was originally ordered from the Maranello factory in blue but has since been professionally resprayed, and work has been carried out to the interior, which is considered as ‘excellent’ by the vendor. This is not surprising, considering it has been reupholstered in cream leather with blue piping from those experts in hide, Connolly. This work includes the front seats, the centre console, and the rear bucket seats, while the door cards include a cream panel set within blue leather. ‘OEL 534P’ includes the original innovative and unusual instrument panel and switchgear set-up, which is highly driver-centric, the outer edges wrapped around to angle towards those in the driver’s seat. Ordered as a right-hand drive model, no conversion has been required, and the 308 GT4 Dino comes with the original owner’s manual, as well as an extensive array of MOTs and invoices for work carried out during its near 50-year life. Only the paintwork is reckoned to be in ‘average’ condition by the seller, with the engine, gearbox, electrics, and bodywork all rated as ‘good’. This is a rare opportunity to own an unusual Ferrari from the ‘70s, and one that has been designed to be a genuinely usable ‘daily driver’ coupe.

Ferrari introduced the Dino 308 GT4 at the 1973 Paris Motor Show, placing it not under the Maranello firm’s stable of Prancing Horses, but the Dino brand, to supplement the Dino 246 GT. Despite being one of the less famous Ferraris from the time, the 308 GT4 was a car of many firsts for the company, including the first production model from the manufacturer to use a mid-engined V8 lay-out - a configuration that would become a cornerstone of their range right through to the present day. It was also the first model to be styled by Bertone, rather than the Pininfarina design house that had already become synonymous with Ferrari by the 1970s. Penned by Marcello Gandini, the Dino was controversial at the time for featuring a more angular, less curvaceous design. Despite the contention over styling at the time, the Dino 308 GT4 came along at the right time for Ferrari, proving a sales success. Despite the extra seats, the 308 GT4 is only 21cm longer than the Dino 246, an impressive feat of engineering considering the V8 had to be squeezed in too, and of even greater note is that this is one of those rare things in the automotive world - a 2+2 that can actually accommodate two in the rear, and have a usable boot.

• An unusual example, offered at No Reserve
• Beautifully presented in classic Rosso red livery and re-trimmed by Connolly
• Fresh from 20 years in specialist classic car engineer ownership