This handmade Co-Hog Special Edition Ferrari 308 GT4 was introduced in late 1982 and only four were made. This example, made for Bob Russell, is the third constructed and was completed in October of 1983. It's about 6 1/2" (16.5 cm) long and is constructed from jelutong and maple with my silkscreened interpretation of the Ferrari wheels.
Bertone’s strong wedge shape is made up of subtle planar surfaces which were a shock to Ferrari purists who were so accustomed to the voluptuous Pininfarina bodies up to then. The 2+2 proportions also added to the angst. With Ferrari’s transverse V8, it all added up to a great handling car that Luigi Chinetti ran as a 308 GT4 LM at the 1974 Le Mans. With the addition of twin turbos it also became a hillclimb legend.
Bob is still the owner of this Co-Hog. His 1:1 Ferrari 308 GT4 was a beauty - also silver over black. I got to know it well as he commissioned an all wood - maple, walnut, holly and padauk - almost two foot long 308 GT4, which now resides in his son’s office. That arduous endeavour will be the subject of separate posts.
A complicated bit of history is needed here to explain the title of this post.
Dare I say that the 1970's were an awkward time in the automotive market? After the 1973-4 OPEC oil embargo, the automotive world was in turmoil as it tried to redefine itself.
The 308 GT4 played a pivotal role in Ferrari's development. After the stunning voluptuousness of the Pininfarina 206/246, the 308 GT4 - the only Ferrari to have been designed by Bertone - was a bit of a shocker. The more planar surfaces and subtle shaping contributed to the distinct wedge-shaped profile. It was polarizing at the least.
Ferrari was also dealing with Fiat becoming a huge factor in running the company. The success of the V6 Dino 206/246 led, in 1973, to the introduction of the first mid-engined transverse V8, 2+2 Ferrari ever - the Dino 308 GT4. Ferrari intended to build the Dino marque as separate from Ferrari so the 308 GT4 was originally sold as a Dino.
In 1974 the US market had only the V8 Dino 308 GT4 on offer as the V12 365 GT4BB and 365 GT4 2+2 had not been homologated for the US. Ferrari felt that with a national speed limit of 55 mph, blossoming safety and environmental regulations, V8 powered Ferraris would be sufficient for Americans. Take that!
The situation became further muddied in mid-1975 when the factory directed that all existing Dino 308 GT4's would be rebadged as Ferrari 304 GT4's, as were the remainder of the on-going production run of 2,826 up to 1980. Depending on the year, or even the month of production, the cars could be a Dino 308 GT4, a Ferrari Dino 308 GT4, or a Ferrari 308 GT4.
The true Ferrari-ness of the Dinos did not clarify for years and even today there is much confusion about the Dinos' place in the Ferrari world.
Hagerty has an informative YouTube video titled "Badge of Shame or Honor?" - "The Dino 246 and 308 GT4 Were Not 'Less-Than' Ferraris" which revisits and adds valuable information about the true place of the Dinos' in Ferrari's history.
Check it out to revisit your own thoughts on the 308 GT4.
See a few more Co-Hog Special Editions here.