1974 | Ferrari Dino 208 GT4

Highlights:

Ex-Maranello Rossi Collection
Rare 208
Mid-engine

Brand & Model History:

When we think of V8 and V12 engines, large engines come to mind – and that’s exactly what they are today. The iconic Ferrari V12 engine has a displacement of 6.5 liters, while the smallest V8 reaches 3.9 liters. However, Ferrari’s first V12 engine had only a displacement of 1.5 liters, and the V8 engine had even just 2.0 liters. In fact, they are the smallest V12 and V8 production engines ever made.

The very first Ferrari was the 125 S from 1947, which produced 118 hp from its small but rev-happy 1496.77 cm³ V12 engine. Much less known was Ferrari’s 2.0-liter V8 engine, as it was only sold on the Italian home market. This engine was fitted in the 1975 Dino 208 GT4 – one of the most unusual cars ever produced by Ferrari.

Condition & History:

The Dino 208 GT4 was the smaller sibling of the Dino 308 GT4, which was unveiled at the 1973 Paris Motor Show. The 208 GT4 was developed as a 2+2 model to complement the two-seater 246 GT/GTS models of the Dino series. Like the 308 GT4 models, the 208 GT4 received chassis numbers in the even sequence of the Dino 246 GT/GTS models. This practice continued even when the 208 GT4 was produced alongside the next-generation 308 GTB/GTS, whose chassis numbers followed the odd sequence for Ferrari road cars.

Production of the Dino 208 GT4 began in 1975 and ran until 1980. In that time, 840 examples were built with chassis numbers ranging from 08830 to 15596.

This model was specifically designed for the Italian market and featured a mid-mounted 2.0-liter V8 engine, unlike the 3.0-liter unit of the 308 GT4. This explains the "208" designation. As with other Dino models, the numbers in the model name refer to the total engine displacement (in liters) and the number of cylinders, while the "4" stands for the number of seats. The reason for the reduced displacement was Italy's tax policy, which imposed a 38% tax on engines larger than 2 liters. Since it was a model for a specific market, all vehicles were produced in left-hand drive (LHD) configuration.

The V8 engine had a 90-degree cylinder angle and was equipped with two overhead camshafts per cylinder bank. It had a displacement of 1991 cm³ (bore and stroke: 81 mm x 66.8 mm) and carried the factory designation F106 C 000. The engine was transversely mounted and mated to a five-speed synchromesh transmission with a reverse gear, located beneath and behind the wet sump engine. Four Weber twin carburetors produced 180 hp.

The body closely resembled that of the 308 GT4 and featured a distinctive wedge shape designed by Bertone, which was in line with the era's design trends. The 208 GT4 was distinguished from the 308 GT4 by a few details: it had only a single exhaust pipe (instead of four) and unpainted aluminum slats on the front and engine covers (instead of the black slats of the 308 GT4).

Bertone created an elegant 2+2 mid-engine model with a wheelbase of 2550 mm, just 210 mm longer than the two-seater Dino 246 GT/GTS. The Dino 208 GT4 had a steel tube chassis (type F 106 CL 100) and a steel body with an aluminum hood and engine cover. Equipment included disc brakes, independent suspension with wishbones, coil springs, and hydraulic shock absorbers, as well as anti-roll bars at the front and rear.

Despite its mid-engine configuration, the car offered usable rear seats (albeit with limited legroom) and a separate trunk behind the engine with its own lid. Additionally, there was storage space under the front bonnet, which could be optimized with a space-saving spare wheel.

Chassis No. 11468

Chassis No. 11468 was delivered in September 1975 through the official Ferrari dealer Campagnano Automobili in Florence. Originally, it was painted in “Blu Ferrari” (Salchi color code 20-A-185) and had a beige leather interior with blue fabric inserts in the seat cushions. The vehicle was equipped with air conditioning and electric windows. Details of the first owner are unknown.

Today, Chassis No. 11468 is painted in red and has black leather seats with red fabric inserts. This color change occurred at an unknown time. For many years, it was part of the Maranello Rosso collection of the late Fabrizio Violati in San Marino, one of the largest and most renowned Ferrari collections worldwide. According to Sandra Lodi Vetrano, Violati's partner, he purchased the vehicle in 1985 in its current color combination. At that time, it still had its original engine and transmission and was personally used by her in the 1990s.

After Violati's death in 2010, the collection was auctioned by Bonhams in 2014. Since then, the vehicle has been part of a private collection in the UK, where it mostly served as a display piece. In 2020, it was comprehensively overhauled for approximately £9,000, including an engine service, brake overhaul, and paint refresh.

Today, the Dino 208 GT4 is in good condition and remains a fascinating piece of automotive history.