We're following yesterday's high-mileage Ferrari 456 GT with a high-mileage Ferrari 308 GT4. To make it interesting, we've featured a 308 GT4 with even less collector appeal; this one has a 3.2L V8 from the later Ferrari 328 swapped in placed of its original 3.0L V8.
This is an interesting buy when compared to, say, a CIS-injected 16-valve 1981-1982 Ferrari 308 GTB with only 202 bhp. Styling is subjective - the GT4 is classic Gandini wedge, while the GTB is TV star cool. The nearly 70 hp advantage of this swapped 308 GT4 would be easy to sense by the seat of the pants, and we have to imagine that the acceleration would be startling for a car of this era.
Year: 1975
Model: Ferrari 308 GT4
Engine: 3.2L V6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 94,750 mi
Price: $52,000 obo
Location: Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1975 Ferrari 308 GT4
This example has been part of a predominant Orange County collection for over 10 years. This classic 4-seater Ferrari has been meticulously maintained and driven primarily to cars and coffee. The car was treated to a fresh repaint to its original blanco (white), with original blue leather seats. The car was fitted with a Ferrari 328 naturally aspirated 3.2-litre (3185 cc), 4-valve-per-cylinder (quattro valve), transverse mounted, rear mid-engine V8 layout, increasing horsepower from 214 HP to 270HP.
This Ferrari is one of two 308 GT/4’s that has been given the Euro style front nose with full egg crate grill.
This classic Enzo era GT/4 has had a recent service including replacements of all fluids, new plugs, timing, new battery, oil change, radiator flush, and tire/brake Inspection. The car has a clean Montana title and the exterior is in very good condition. The 5-speed manual gearbox shifts through its classic “gated shifter” cleanly with no synchro grinding. This is an excellent daily driver that is one of Ferraris most economical drivetrains to maintain.
CIS cars, when kept in good condition, are reliable and easy to start in most weather. We would guess that the carbs on the original engine made for a better sound though. The seller seems to indicate that the car is sorted, with recent timing belt and fluid service reported. Unless the car has been gone through top to bottom, there will be aged seals and bushings here and there, but mechanically we aren't too concerned about this example. We would need to know more about the condition of the body, and whether rust repairs were required in the past or might be required in the future.
At an asking price of $52,000, this 308 GT4 isn't a bargain by any stretch. And we haven't featured many Ferraris with nearly 100,000 miles. We do think that for a more reasonable price, this could a very enjoyable car to own. Now, would we take something like this over an Alfa 4C? That would be tough to answer.
-Graham