1975 Red Ferrari Dino 308 Gt4 2+2 Pre-catalytic Converter Model W/ Carburetor on 2040-cars

Bidding ends on the evening of Easter Sunday (April 20, 2014). For now, this is a ONE TIME LISTING because if it doesn't sell this week on ebay, next week I'm planning to sell it at a local antique car show.

First of all, this is not a showroom or concourse car. If that's what you're looking for, God bless you. I hope you find one in the best condition imaginable! (But, be prepared to dish out about forty grand for that 'perfect' automobile.) THIS Ferrari 308 GT/4 is a good, running example and the minimum price amounts to a wholesale deal for someone willing to give it some TLC. If the bids go higher, it's still possible to get a good deal, I imagine. (I estimate it's insurance replacement value to be approximately $25,000.)

The Dino 2+2 is an underrated, but simultaneously groundbreaking and certainly robust sports car. Very low to the ground, flashy, loud and menacing looking with its sharp angularity. The mid-engine V8 provides a center of gravity that helps you keep control of this rampant horse in all sorts of driving conditions. This series 1 model never had a catalytic converter and it's resulting relatively high horsepower makes it noticeably faster than the 'Magnum P.I.' car.

I have greatly enjoyed driving it around the Dallas/Fort Worth area for almost two years. I've put fewer  than 4000 miles on it, btw, and lately I've merely driven it around the lake to keep the battery charged. Even though it's rough in certain respects, I'm sure that anyone who knows how to drive a standard transmission would likewise enjoy it. This is what motoring was meant to be! With less than 3000 exemplars of this model ever made, it will always be considered 'rare'. Yet, because it shares many of the attributes as the more popular GTS & GTB models, spare parts are indeed out there. (Don't forget to add a dash of patience, in this regard.)

If you have always dreamed of owning a Ferrari, this is an excellent place to start. In traffic, people tend to treat this car with awe and respect. You probably won't have some fool in a new Corvette revving his engine next to you at a stoplight. You both know he'd win the race, but he's driving a Chevy and you're in the seat of something unique, an Italian automotive legend. So, instead, you'll find yourself answering peoples' questions with a smile. Thumbs up all around!  As I think you can tell from this overwrought description, I love this little car, but it's probably time for someone else to enjoy it.

I'm an antique/exotic car enthusiast. I'm not a mechanic or used car salesman. By this I mean, I'm going to be honest with you: this car has its share of quirks. I'm going to describe some pros and cons, to keep these quirks in perspective. I want you to enjoy this car. You WILL enjoy this car, but there are some things you should know...

The engine is stout, although it leaks a tiny bit of oil. This is not a severe problem. It is not a steady drip and never a gush; just a spot in the garage (which is where the car lives, of course, so no awful rust problems, either). I don't think any major engine maintenance is on the immediate horizon. For what it's worth, I've heard these engines described as being 'bulletproof'. The previous owner told me the spark plugs were replaced about two years ago. I believe the coolant system is up to spec. On several occasions, I have driven this car in 100 degree heat and it has never over-heated. (Amazing, but absolutely true for this Italian car!) No problems whatsoever with suspension, steering, or alignment. The transmission shifting is initially stiff, but eases when the car warms up. Shifting into 4th gear gets crunchy if you're not in the right RPM range. (Solution: shift in correct RPM range.) The parking brake is technically functional, but very weak, which I'm told is a standard 308 attribute. Speaking of which, the windows indeed roll up and down slowly, but surely. During the first summer I owned this car, the updated (R134a) air conditioning blew cold. The second summer, not so much... It probably just needs to be recharged. The bright red paint is not original but looks good. One paint bubble/crack on front hood, tar stain (?) on passenger door, and minor chipping around flapping gas panel. No evidence of collision, inevitably scraped undercarriage notwithstanding. The yellow shield-shaped badges are not original to the car, but I have decided to leave them in place rather than to risk messing up the paint-job underneath. The upholstery is ok, though not original and not completely finished out in places like the seatbelt well between the seats in the back. The worst flaw is a split on the dashboard, above/in front of steering wheel. This is not noticeable while driving and at car shows I just covered the split with the original owner's manual (included). Important: both the front passenger and driver seatbelt brackets need to be replaced. I don't think this car yearns for original Ferrari parts, just whatever will work. The back seats are a joke for seating, but I have put them to good use when buckling in boxes of books, luggage, folding chairs, small cooler, etc. so they do serve a purpose. The trunk isn't exactly spacious, but it too has proven useful and at least it retains the original herringbone lining. All four 14 inch tires have adequate tread and hold air perfectly, but the full size spare tire (on a 246 Dino wheel) is balding pretty badly.  Emergency use only, of course. The rolled-up tool set is rusty and incomplete and, while the original owner's manual is fully intact, it is generally ragged. I will send a .pdf print-out of the invaluable Shop Manual and include incomplete service records that have been passed along with this car. The interior cabin lights do not work, but the adjustable greenish dashboard lighting does illuminate the dials enough to pass any safety inspection. Headlights flip up and down every time, but at the present moment, the high-beams are not working which is probably due to an electrical grounding issue. An easy enough fix, if you know what you're doing. To reiterate: regular beam headlights, blinkers and hazards work just fine. Windshield wiper functionality is a-ok. If you get stuck in a down-pour, they will see you through. Rubber seals (many of which, I believe, were replaced by previous owner)  work well enough, too.  Also, the gasoline gauge is what I'd call semi-functional. It doesn't register levels correctly, but the low fuel warning light does work and it gives adequate warning, so you're not 'flying blind'. To be safe, I use the odometer trip-reset as a reminder to refill every 150 miles. I have occasionally added Techron gas/carb cleaner, as advised by a fellow Dino owner. There used to be a vapor lock condition (noticed particularly in the heat of Texas summer) that seems to have been eliminated by the new air filter installed last spring. The guts of the odometer have been professionally replaced with proper Dino parts. So, though it currently registers 61820, the actual mileage is unknown. Quartz clock keeps time and I think it is the only computerized part in this old school ride. I recommend a timing belt change (just to be safe), as well as an oil & filter change. Clutch, brake pad, and muffler replacements should also be on the mind of the auction winner.

Because I rarely drive it anymore, I admit to being lazy about a couple of things. The state registration and inspection sticker are both out of date. I think there are only two minor things preventing a successful inspection: (1) the broken seatbelts and (2) the malfunctioning high-beams. Texas doesn't require emission testing for antique cars, so that is not an issue. Please be conversant with your own state's inspection laws before bidding.

What else can I say? Sold as-is, caveat emptor, etc. In being honest about its flaws, I hope I haven't made this car sound like a dog. It's not. It's a proud & loud Ferrari. As such, with its ownership come some responsibilities. If you are mechanically inclined, you can use the Shop Manual to fix whatever you can. Other things will probably need the attention of professionals. The good news is you can buy this adequately functioning and exhilarating antique car for less $ than last year's boring compact car or snoresville sedan. With persistent attention to maintenance, I daresay this Dino could be a daily driver. Yes, it's that good. And, I don't know about rates where you live, but my full coverage insurance is pretty cheap (secondary car/Sunday driver type policy).

Regarding the VIN: Ferraris of this vintage have discrete chassis numbers instead of currently-used Vehicle Identification Numbers. As far as I know, this car has 'all matching' numbers (engine, steering column, door sill plate). The clear Texas title has a VIN designation unique to this car: 308GT410304. In selling this car, I will retain my vanity license plates.


The first featured pic was snapped by a much better photographer than yours truly. The last pic has a terrible glare that makes the hood look like it has crackled paint. Don't worry, it's just bad lighting. Feel free to ask for more pics. 

Please remember that a winning bid is a legally binding contract. Standard $500.00 deposit due upon invoicing. Please have all $ in place and ask all questions before bidding. I'm semi-retired and I will be available to help get this car to you by whatever  means you choose (within reason). I recommend your chartering covered transportation, but I'll even meet you half-way if you happen to live close enough to Dallas, Texas. No international or zero feedback bidders, please.

Send me a message if you'd like to have my phone number, ok? I feel reticent about posting it here.

The law of supply and demand will prove the Dino 308 GT/4 to be a good investment in the years to come. Even if you salt it away in storage, it will likely appreciate in value. Look at what has happened to the prices of the 246 Dino GTS, and it's a technically commoner car that has only a V6 engine!  One last thing: GOOD LUCK!