Description
Coming to auction at Wilton House for the Concours Des Legendes, 19-21 June, full catalogue now online, search Dore & Rees Motoring for further info.
1975 Ferrari 208 GT4
Registration Number: Italian-registered
Chassis Number: 11468
Recorded Mileage: 97, 600 kilometres (61, 000 miles)
- Rare variant of Bertone-bodied Dino Ferrari
- Much mechanical and cosmetic attention since 2021
The smaller brother of the Ferrari 308, the Dino 208 GT4 came at a crossroads in the evolution of Ferrari’s road car lineage. When launched in 1975, the Dino brand was still active as a standalone marque alongside Ferrari, eventually being brought together in 1976. The Dino badge represented entry-level accessibility, as typified by the preceding six-cylinder models such as the 206 GT and 246 GT. With twin-overhead camshafts per bank and four twin-choke Weber carburettors, the model produced a very capable 180 horsepower. The model was conceived and designed for the Italian market, where cars with a larger than two-litre displacement engine were subject to a value-added tax (VAT) of 38 percent. In order to circumvent this restrictive taxation, the engine was downsized to 1, 991 cubic centimetres, making it the smallest production V8 ever used in a Ferrari road car.
With a pronounced wedge-shaped body, penned by Bertone, a look that was very much in keeping with the sharp-suited style of the period. The overall design is compact and well balanced, withstanding the test of time and shifting fashions. Only available in left-hand-drive configuration, the Dino 208 GT4 remained in production from 1975 to 1980, and remains a rarely seen Ferrari.
This lovely looking 208 was formerly part of the world-famous Maranello Rosso Ferrari collection, owned by the late Italian racer Fabrizio Violati. Violati was also a former owner of 250 GTO #3851, a close friend to Enzo Ferrari, and a founding member of the Ferrari Club of Italy.
The Ferrari arrived into the UK around 10 or so years ago, being largely stored until benefitting from a major service and recommissioning works in 2021 at a cost in the region of £9, 000.
The engine received a full service and tune including all belts, fluids and filters, and engine oil leaks rectified. The steering rack was replaced, the driveshafts stripped, new CV boots were fitted and the brakes were overhauled. A new fuel pump was added, as were new fuel hoses, and the electrical system was tested and any faults addressed as required. Following this extensive work, the paintwork was refreshed where required.
The 208 is offered complete with toolkit, jack/ roll, manufacturer’s literature, factory press kit and period range brochures, Keith Bluemel report, service records, Italian registration documents, and a car cover. Further service works carried out in current ownership include a new windscreen and an MoT, at a cost totalling £4, 600. The Ferrari now shows 61, 000 miles recorded, and presents very nicely. The Ferrari is offered with an Italian title document (and still fitted with black Roma number plates), bills for recent work as stated above, and older UK MoT certificate.
Interested parties should note, should this car remain in the UK, buyers should expect to pay import taxes of 5% of the sale price, plus other UK registration costs as required.
