Ferrari 208 GT4
The Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 car coupe is mass-produced by Ferrari between 1974 and 1980 and presented at the Paris Motor Show in 1973. In 1975 Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 is derived Ferrari Dino 208 GT4 car with identical body but smaller engine.
Taking into account the numbers of Ferrari production period and the oil crisis of those years, with 2826 units produced the Dino 308 GT4 and 840 of the Dino 208 GT4, it is a car with moderate commercial success.
Designed as a complementary element of the brand Dino, which was already present in the two-seater Dino 246 GT Dino 308 GT4 represents a milestone in the history of Ferrari for the substantial amount of new features. In fact it is the first series production car produced by Ferrari to adopt the scheme V8 mid-rear engine, the first to have the command of the organs of the distribution is controlled by timing belts made of rubber, the first and only Ferrari series to bring the Bertone’s signature. It was also the first Ferrari officially offered in evidence to a newspaper industry (Quattroruote in February 1974).
The body design was entrusted to Bertone and would have to find the quadrature of the circle that many sports car manufacturers sought for some time: the interior space for 4 people and the rear engine (the “4” in the acronym was just indicative of the number of seats). The designer Marcello Gandini made a coupe with taut lines and balanced, very different from the classical duo of Ferrari-Pininfarina and similar to those of rival Lamborghini Urraco, also designed by Gandini. As reported in an interview with Piero Ferrari, Enzo Ferrari himself was to choose Bertone for this car, having particularly appreciated the work done by them on the Fiat Dino coupe.
Fine mechanics, starting with the new 2926cc V8 engine with double overhead camshafts on each bank, thanks to power 4 twin-choke carburettors, it distributed 255hp SAE, DIN hereinafter referred to as the value of 230hp.
Also very sporty frame with central pylon, derived from the 246GT with a longer wheelbase, the independent suspension with wishbones and brakes, ventilated discs 4. The transmission was 5-speed manual with limited slip differential.
The Dino 308 GT4 was immediately appreciated for the remarkable dynamic qualities, the visibility is particularly large for a sports car and the ease of use, thanks to a decent trunk.
In 1975, following the energy crisis that hit Europe in that period, Italy introduced a higher tax burden for cars with engines above 2000cc, bringing several houses to include versions with small displacements of the models in the list. The Ferrari then decided to support the Dino 308 GT4 Dino 208 GT4 moved by the same V8 engine capacity reduced to 1991cc (180hp). Outwardly different in a few details from the 3-liter, the Dino 208 GT4 due to its smaller engine could in order to avoid tax increases in force in Italy, the market for which it was intended.
The engine of the Dino 208 GT4 is a masterpiece of technique, being the smallest V8 ever produced in series and showing a respect for the power of the whole displacement.
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