1980 Ferrari 308 GT4

Details

Apple, Coca-Cola, McDonalds and Nike are brands recognisable the world over. So is Ferrari and interestingly the iconic Italian luxury sports car manufacturer was named ‘The World’s Strongest Brand’ in the 2019 Brand Finance Global 500 Report.

Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1939 out of Alfa Romeo’s race division as Auto Avio Costruzioni the company built its first car in 1940. The Second World War halted Ferrari’s dream, which was finally realised in 1947, when the first car bearing his name, the Ferrari125S, was built. From that day on Ferrari race cars dominated the world over, winning race after race and many world championships in Formula One, sports car racing and endurance racing. Ferrari built exclusive sports cars for the road too, but in the early days, this was primarily to fund his motor racing!

The Cavallino Rampate or ‘prancing horse’ was the symbol chosen by Ferrari and like the ‘golden arches’ it is recognised by just about every man, woman and child on the planet!

The late 1960’s and early 1970’s were a fabulous time for Ferrari. Its flagship 365 GTB/4 Daytona was a resounding success and Enzo’s ‘big risk’ the Dino 246 was also selling very well. Ferrari wanted to continue with his tradition of producing high performance ‘Grand Touring’ cars and needed a successor to the 365 GT 2+2 and 365 GTC. He opted to continue with a 2+2 configuration – enter the 365 GTC/4. Ferrari also saw an opportunity to take on Porsche and he decided to build a relatively affordable 2+2 sports car. The Ferrari 308 GT4 was first shown at the Paris Motor Show in 1973 and production started shortly thereafter. Like the 246 Dino the 308 GT4 carried only ‘Dino’ badges throughout the first few years of production. The 308 GT4 was a ground breaking model for Ferrari in many ways. It was the first Ferrari to be powered by a transversely mounted V8 engine and the first Ferrari to be designed by Bertone.

The 308 GT4 was a great success for Ferrari and almost 3,000 examples were built over six years of production through until 1980.

Oldtimer Australia is delighted to confirm the sale of this stunning 1980 Ferrari 308 GT4

This is an Australian delivered, factory right hand drive example. The car’s Australian compliance plate is date stamped 12/80, making it one of the very last 308 GT4’s sold in Australia.

The car is an incredible time capsule and it retains its body number stamping in many places on the car, including hand written on the fibreglass shielding in the engine bay.

Accompanying this car are the original book set, including the warranty card, in the correct Ferrari pouch as well as the tool kit, jack, safety triangle and spare wheel.

The warranty card confirms the car was sold through Scuderia Veloce Motors in Sydney on the 7th August 1981. The first owner used the car, clocking up around 75,000 km before it was parked up in the early 1990’s.

The car was purchased by a Brisbane based classic car enthusiast in October 2015.

Whilst it was cosmetically excellent, there was some paint fading on the nose. The car was stripped to bare metal and found to be totally rust and accident free. This repaint was completed in May 2018.

Given the car had sat for over 20 years, its new owner decided to rebuild the engine and gearbox. Other mechanical work carried out, including: the brakes and clutch were overhauled, perishable items including the cooling system & fuel hoses were replaced and the engine ancillaries including the carburettors & distributors were overhauled.

This car is otherwise an incredibly original time capsule and today presents as one of the very best Ferraris 308 GT4’s in existence.

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