Why is there such a disreguard for the Dino 308 Gt4 in the Dino 246 section

The difference in design should give the GT4 either in Dino or Ferrari badge in it's own section. The style in my opinion doesn't fit in the 246 group or the 308 GTB/GTS group.

 

That's an interesting post!

Throughout the years as I've ever known, most 308 GT4 owners have had to argue that their cars are actually Ferraris to other Ferrari owners due to the Dino connection - Now there are owners having to argue that their car is actually a Dino!

It's a funny old World!

 

It's simple.

2x8 Dinos are worth a lot of money. 3x8 Dinos, for the longest time, were not. There's a snobbery implicit in that which has affected the relationship between the two Dino groups.

 

+1
And they're just different cars. Since a GT4 is the technical basis for the GTS/B it fits better in this forum.

 

I propose to welcome them warmheartedly in the Mondial section.

 

Here Here...LOL Being in the Mondial Section, you feel the love for all Ferrari's, no looking down ones nose... at the "other's" ...

 

Al,

Not a single 308GT4 that I saw there and I was walking around the show for 3 days (its huge!)

I found one 208GT4 on a dealer stand it was OK but a little tired.

Cheers
Jon
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The only reason there's a Mondial section at all is that the Mondial folks _didn't_ want to coexist with other models.

 

Did you mean the 206/246 Dino's compared to the 208/308GT4 Dino's rather than the 208 GT4 Dino Vs. the 308 GT4 when you mention the two Dino groups? (I only ask because I can't say I've ever really been aware of a major rivalry between 208 GT4 owners and 308 GT4 owners TBH!)


The whole Dino situation is quite complicated when it comes to creating a hierarchy for them.

The 246 Dino is technically a better car than the 206 Dino, but the 206 Dino is rarer than the 246, so which should be ranked higher in this hierarchy?

Then you have the question of whether a GTB is a better car than the GTS version, again, which one ranks higher?

Next we come to the "chairs and flares" cars. Should they be ranked higher than the non-"chairs and flares" cars?, or should the non "chairs and flares" cars be ranked higher?

Then we come to the GT4 cars.

The first question to ask is should they be included with the Dino's at all?

the next question to ask is, if the GT4's are included in the Dino group, should it only be the cars that left the factory badged as Dino's and not the later cars that carried the Ferrari badge?

And if they are included, should a 208 GT4 be rated higher or lower in the hierarchy than the 308 GT4?


Here's the thing though - Why should Ferrari/Dino ownership have to be some sort of competition with a hierarchy so owners of the more expensive/exclusive models can look down their noses at the owners of less expensive models? The fact that someone owns a Dino/Ferrari should be all that matters, not the value or exclusivity of the car!


Now I'll be totally honest, for decades I didn't like the 308 GT4!

It wasn't based on the value of the cars or their lack of exclusivity, I simply didn't like the styling of it, right down to the styling of the dashboard (which I have to admit to still not liking).

Bertone's angular design just seemed to be lacking compared to the Pininfarina styled Ferraris, as though they designed it to be overly masculine in an effort to stand apart from their counterparts feminine curves (curiously, I love Bertone's FIAT X1/9 though! - Go figure!), and it just never seemed to Me to be a "proper" Ferrari.

Part of the problem is the fact that, from the front doors forward, the side profile looks almost Identical to the Lamborghini Urraco! It's almost as though Bertone had a spare Lamborghini design on the shelf and used it for the Ferrari 308 GT4.

In the last couple of years though, something strange has occurred that I can't really explain - Almost from nowhere, the 308 GT4 suddenly looks good!

The car sits right on the road with a nice stance, and the shape is nicely balanced (more so than Mondial whose cabin seems a tad too high and the driver seems to sit too far forward in the car).

To Me at least, it still doesn't look as attractive as it's Pininfarina designed counterparts, and it still looks as though it was originally designed to be a Lamborghini rather than a Ferrari, but over all, it's design has matured into a fine example of the 70's "wedge" design, and Dino gatherings should be more than happy to have them displayed alongside the 2*6 cars!

 

To me, a true Dino will always be a V6. It has a heritage that goes back to many racing cars that were given the name, whereas the V8 Dino was more of a marketing gambit, according to my understanding. Other than their basic architecture, they have little in common. And I say this as someone who owns a GT4.

I was not impressed with the GT4's design for many years. As my own tastes and knowledge developed I realized the historical significance of the Gandini design. I now more fully appreciate designs that reflect the style idiom of their times, which I believe the GT4 does.

Totally subjectively, I believe the 206/246 to be a much more beautiful car, and the GT4 is a much better car. As for desirability, I believe the market has spoken pretty emphatically.

 

OMG...astounding....I feel exactly the same way about them. When they came out as new, I didn't think much of them at all. Now I think they're a highly underrated car and, esp in the right colour, look brilliant when driving on the road.

Apart from that, they're much more user friendly and usable than a GTB/GTS, but that's another story again.

 

Good question , it's a stigma, the c4 went through this as the poor mans Daytona. The 348 as being the worst car to come from the factory, and all 4 seater Ferraris not as diserable as the two seaters.
As unjustly as this is to all the great cars built its not avoidable. The GT/4 is a great car, and very period 70s correct. There was a time when the 246 was not loved or considered a real Ferrari as well. The GT/4 has some time to go and flourish. I wouldn't sweat it with any haters that talk down the car or any other car. We all have our favorites. A certain percentage of people will always hate something.

 

I feel the perceived worth / desirability of the various models is an unwelcome distraction to the enthusiasm for the Marque and its various models. It is every individuals right to view them how they want, but wrong to promote some sort of hierarchy.
I still laugh at the memory of when I first got my 246 and attended a gathering of Ferraris at a local event where they had been invited. One guy actually came over to me and said he had been told my car was not a Ferrari and queried whether I should be there!

As for the 308GT4, I have recently acquired one and am pleasantly surprised at what a great car it is to drive. It is strange how its looks are also now perceived to be more acceptable. I think it is because late 1970's and '80s styling is becoming more fashionable. Yes, the 246 is a stunningly beautiful design, but the 308GT4 is very much of its time design wise and should not be viewed as an "ugly duckling". Go try one and be surprised..

 

It really is strange how, 5 years ago, a 308 GT4? - No!, sorry but I simply don't get why you'd want one! The design just doesn't grab Me at all!

2 years ago and onwards though: You know something? - that is a good looking car!

And it's not just us two either! - Worldwide, the 308 GT4 has come of age and become fashionable again as a great example of a car of its time and ilk.

But why?, how?

The car hasn't changed at all - so why does it now look so good?

I wondered if perhaps My taste in cars had changed, but no, My taste in cars hasn't really changed at all, so why has the 308 GT4 gone from being Ferrari's "ugly duckling", to being "a very fine swan indeed"?

It's got Me baffled, but you know what? - I'm glad it's happened!

 

It really is funny many of us have seen the same thing...that the GT4 has become a very cool car. For me it began when I watched the youtube vid of Hans driving his beautiful pitch-dark blue Dino GT4 around northern Italy. In the couple years since, I've just really grown to appreciate that car. I think the Stratos genes have something to do with it too. Would love to have one to drive any day. I think the GT4's heyday is only beginning.

 

At least you can pin-point when it happened for you - I wish I could!

I just seemed to have woken up one day, saw one, or a picture of one somewhere and then just suddenly thought subconsciously: "That's actually a good looking car! - 308 GT4 owners were right all along!"

(I still can't take to the dashboard though for some reason!)

 

Phill, I think the "angularity" of the dashboard actually suits the character of the car, which is "all angles", as opposed to the "all curves" of the 246.

I was told recently by someone who worked with Maranello Concessionaires that when the 308GT4 came out one of their guys commented "well, that will be the last car Bert One designs for Mr Ferrari!". Indeed, I believe it was too?

But now, it seems its time is coming. There are parallels elsewhere. In period, the pop group ABBA were considered to be not serious music and "a bit of a joke" and the attitude now is very different.

 

When you have something that stands in such stark contrast to an icon, it's never going to be perceived by the fanboys of said icon in an amazing light. Personally, I like the GT4's design far more than I like the 246. I know I'm in the minority, but while the 246 looks gorgeous leaving, it sure makes me cringe arriving. On the other hand, every time Ive seen a GT4, I've found myself nothing more than pleasantly surprised at how good it looks in person (from every angle). I even like the pop up headlights (and I find them comical on my QV).

I would love to have an early GT4 to compliment my QV at some point in my life, but not sure when that will be possible. When 246s were $30k, I could have been talked into one. once they went north of $70k, I was out. My want for a GT4 will wane when they get north of $100k for a decent one.

 

Good point..for me I've gotten more forgiving as I've gotten older😊

 

There's the contradiction. You may think your tastes haven't changed, but the evidence appears to show they have. Aesthetics evolve over time. Precious few things are universally held as "timeless classics" in the long term.

I've always been a fan of Gandini's styling & very nearly bought a Verde Pino GT4 at auction in the mid 90s for £10k. I'm very happy they are finally in the limelight.

 

Did he actually say "Bert One" (and I know some in the motor trade who would!) or was that your predictive text program kicking in?

 

Yes, he did say "Bert One", which I found rather amusing!

 

I'd like to see that video, Will. Do you have a link to it?

Thanks.

Jack.

 

Very funny. I'll have to remember that one.