Dino / Ferrari 308 GT4

Design

The GT4 is the only production Ferrari bodied by Bertone, though Bertone had previously designed one-off specials for Ferrari. The sharp, angular forms stood in stark contrast to the curvaceous Dino 246 GT and GTS and proved controversial at the time. From the cockpit, the driver sees only the road ahead. Traditionalists never accepted Bertone, maintaining that Ferrari coachwork should come exclusively from Pininfarina.

Engineering

The chassis was a tubular frame modeled after the Dino 246, stretched to a 2550 mm wheelbase to accommodate the rear seats. All wheels were suspended on double wishbones with coil springs and coaxial telescopic dampers. The 2.9-liter V8 with 2927 cm³ was mounted transversely and mated directly to the five-speed transaxle. The block and cylinder heads were made of aluminum, dual overhead camshafts were driven by toothed belts, and four Weber 40 DCNF carburetors fed the engine. It produced 255 hp-metric in Europe and 240 hp in the US.

The Dino name and the oil crisis

The first GT4, carrying chassis number 07202, was the sole example built in 1973, finished in Azzurro Metallizzato. In May 1976, the "Prancing Horse" replaced the Dino badges on the hood, wheels, rear, and steering wheel, leaving the Dino emblem only on the trunk lid. During the energy crisis, many buyers were hesitant to purchase an expensive car that lacked the Ferrari crest. On July 1, 1975, the factory issued update No. 265/1 detailing technical and cosmetic revisions, which dealerships implemented only in part.

Summarized from the cited sources; every figure was automatically verified against the sources.