There’s a controversy that usually surrounds the Dino 308 GT4 and that is the illusion that the cars weren’t popular because they were marketed as Dinos instead of Ferraris.
That may have some truth but the reality was the United States suffered an economic recession between 1973 and 1975. The Dino 308 GT4 first hit the market in 1973 during the heart of the recession. Around the same time Jaguar also struggled to renew the life of the E-Type with its new 12-cylinder engine in the midst of an oil crises and recession. These new cars suffered from new North American safety standards that called for 5 mph rubber bumpers located at a specific height above the ground. The combination of the economic recession, the less attractive bumpers and side marker lights, poor fuel economy, and the high price tags, resulted in poor sales across all competing brands. Even the beautiful 246 Dino and the Lancia Stratos sat on new car lots for many months unsold.
In 1976 Ferrari started marketing the 308 GT4 under its brand name. Coincidentally, the recession was over. In the end, Ferrari sold 2,826 units of the 308 GT4 and 840 units of the 208 GT4 from 1973-1980. Second only to the 246 Dino (3,761 units) as the largest production of any Ferrari model prior to 1980. Not a bad run for a hand-made, wedge shape, and mid-engine V8, introduced into a recession. Even with the popularity and success of the Ferrari 308 GTB and GTS line of cars -helped by the Magnum PI television series, the 308 GT4 outsold the 308 GTB.
My name is Avi Katz, I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada but I’m currently living between Glasgow – where I work and Dubai (UAE) where my Wife and Kids reside.
In Glasgow and Dubai I rent cars as I need them, but in Toronto, I have a 1975 308 GT4 and a 1970 Morgan 4/4. Both cars have 4 seats.
How did your passion for cars started?
I definitely credit my Father and Uncle for my passion for cars. They were both willing to suffer with European cars in the harsh Canadian climate. In the late 60s/early 70s, sports cars weren’t as expensive as they are today but maintaining them was definitely a headache that they both endured – rather begrudgingly.
In the 70s and when I was a boy, my parents went through a variety of exotic sports cars and saloons including, a 1954 Aston Martin DB2/4, a 69 Alfa Romeo GTV, a 1971 Alfa Spider 1300jr, a 1970 Jaguar XJ6, a 1966 Jaguar Mk II 3.8, 1966 Volvo 122 coupe, a ’78 XJ6 etc…
It wasn’t uncommon to use the ice scraper on the inside windows of some of these cars when I would get a lift to school in the winter.
During the same period, my Uncle had a 1947 MG TC, and a 1959 Aston Martin DB4; and made daily drivers out of a 1969 Alfa Romeo 1300jr GT and later a `76 Alfetta GTV.
My favorite outing as a child was to join my Dad and Uncle when they visited mechanics, body shops, dealerships and various car shows. My first experience with a Ferrari was at age fourteen when a friend let me sit behind the wheel of his father’s 308 GT4 Dino. It was a sparkling brown on tan. He warned me that if his father caught us, we would both be in big trouble.
When I was fifteen (in 1983), I discovered the Auto Trader Magazine and spent week after week combing through the used car section for a Sports Car. I found a 1959 MGA and 1961 TR3A that were advertised as running but needed work. Both cars were in the $2000 CAD range which was all the money I had. Sadly, by the time I made it to my appointment to see the MGA, it had already sold. The TR3A turned out to be in a very poor state and my Father strongly cautioned me against it. I was crushed.
That spring, and a week before my sixteenth birthday, I joined my Father for a trip to his mechanic to check on his ’71 1300 Spider. The car needed the Dell’Orto carburetors rebuilt and the mechanic was chatting with my Dad about replacing them with a set of brand new Webers for the same price. While they carried on, I wandered through the parking lot and spotted a 1970 1300 GT junior for sale. The exterior paint was faded and was covering quite a lot of Bondo but the interior was in good shape. The engine was burning oil but it could be mine for only $1000. I bought the car and then had the engine rebuilt for another $1000. I got my license and had the car on the road a few months later.
The car was marvelous to drive. It had a great sound and a wonderful smell of off-gasses that only an Alfa could create from the cheap materials used in the interior. I was crazy about the car until the summer months where I would roast from the greenhouse effect and the black interior. Something had to be done.
I went back to the Auto Trader and the Bargain Hunter to look for an Alfa with a sunroof. I found a 1971 1750 GTV that had been in a rear end collision with a factory sunroof for $250. I bought the car with the intention of putting the factory sunroof into the 1300 GT and sell the remainder of the car to a fellow who was trading used Alfa parts. I went to see the fellow and he told me that he didn’t need it. In fact, he said that he had a bunch of parts for the car that he didn’t need and gave me two rear quarter panels, a trunk lid, a rear bumper and the tail lights for free!
Life was good at 17 until my Mother returned from the Airport driving my 1300 GT with the grill bashed in. Somebody backed into the car where she was parked and destroyed the whiskers, bumper and the grill. There was some minor body damage too. The whiskers were not to be found anywhere on the planet and the insurance company offered me $2000 towards the repair and let me keep the car. I found a grill advertised by another fellow trading in used Alfa parts so I went to see him. He told me that he could install it for me on the spot and when he opened the garage to get his tools, I saw a black 1961 Alfa Giulietta 1300 Spider sitting there. It was a basket case but I was in love. I bought the car for $2000 and towed it home. I polished the rusty body, cleaned the interior and filled the four different tires up with air before my Father got home. That didn’t save me from his tongue lashing.
It was a week later than a fellow spotted the collection of cars in the driveway and asked me if I would be interested in a 1955 MGTF. Of course I said yes!
I told my Father about the MG and got a lecture about how when he was my age, he had one car that he enjoyed driving everywhere.
Cut to the underground parking garage of an apartment building as a tarp revealed a black on red MG TF. It was at that point that my Father said sold. I turned to him in shock, and he told me to pay the man. I had to explain to the seller, that I owned three Alfas that I had to sell first and he told me to take my time. Lucky for me, I found a fellow who was interested in all three Alfas and the deal was done.
The MG was a lot of fun and great education in how to run a classic car that only behaved at the mechanics. I drove the car for 8 years and reluctantly sold it after I finished University to help fund a course in Industrial Design. After I finished the Industrial Design program, I bought a 1966 Plymouth Barracuda. It was a silly car that was a through back to a different era. I couldn’t sort out what seemed to be a carburetor problem and the exhaust leaking through the trunk seals into the car. I wasn’t sorry to see it go.
My next vintage car (many years later) was a 1960 Mercedes 220se Ponton Convertible. It was in need of a full restoration and the engine had already been removed. My plan was to restore the Mercedes, sell it and buy a 1966-7 Ferrari 330 GTC with the proceeds. I sat on the Mercedes for than 5 years as I had more pressing needs for the money allocated to its restoration (that included a new roof on the house and a 1970 Morgan 4/4).
It seemed that I missed the boat and the Ferrari was now trading at three times the value of the Ponton Convertible. I decided to move on. I bought a 1973 911T project car and sold the Mercedes to fund its restoration. Unfortunately, the 911 required approximately $80,000 CAD to do a proper restoration so I decided to sell the dream to somebody else and look for something else. As I combed Craigslist across North America, I stumbled on a 1973 manual 4-speed 12 Cylinder Jaguar XKE and a 1975 Dino 308 GT4. Both cars were green on tan. I engaged both owners but the Jag owner decided to keep his car.
The Dino was in British Columbia and I found a mechanic to check it out for me. I bought the car sight unseen!
So is it so difficult to look for a vintage Ferrari?
When I bought my Dino in 2015, there were plenty of vintage Ferraris being advertised by their owners. You could find them on Craigslist and Ebay. Today, many of the cars are Dealer owned or being offered at auction. That being said, it seems that the vintage car market is softening a little because of the current economic climate.
Has everything really have to be in perfect conditions or what?
I would say no. However, it’s best to find a lower mileage car with little to no rust and the original running gear in good shape. Vintage sports cars are finicky. There were always be some fuel delivery or electrical issue that needs sorting. Perhaps some weather stripping that needs to be replaced. They were never perfect when new and driving an older one will identify their deficiencies. My car isn’t perfect but it’s a good one.
Is there a particular reason that brought you choosing the Dino?
It was a car that made an impression on me as a boy.
It was also, very advanced for its time. The design of the body delivered an airflow to the fuel system and the brakes. It was Ferrari’s first mid-engine 8 cylinder production vehicle. It combined steel, aluminum and fiberglass to reduce its weight. It had the fashionable wedge shape with pop-up lights and electrical instruments. It could be said that it is among the few Italian designs where form followed function. Yet the car is still very beautiful when you see it in person. However, its scale and curvilinear lines are hard to capture attractively on camera without paying attention to the composition and lens distortion. In short it struggles from not being photogenic.
That being said, it has a more attractive interior than my 911 did and a fashionable array of colour schemes that defined the mid to late 70s. Finally, it was affordable and there seemed to be a growing number of resources for parts and a knowledge base for the do-it-yourselfers.
What is the thing you like the most out of this very model?
I love the sound of the motor as I wind through the gears. I love green on tan and all the Dino badges. It’s a car with personality that rewards you for driving it.
The boxy design of the 70s is pretty much the opposite of soft lines of classic cars from the 60s. Which of these styles is the one that suits better your taste?
I won’t be ‘boxed’ in. There are beautiful examples from all periods of design and I would love to have them all!
Green over tan is one of the very best colors combination. Is this the original combo for the car or what?
Yes. This is a factory original combination that was repainted in the original colour in acrylic lacquer in the 80s.
Is there a car you’d like to own in a not-so-distant future?
I would like to buy a series two Mini Cooper JCW and an early Porsche Boxster.
Tell us some of the great drives you experienced so far.
I’ve enjoyed taking the Dino on Country roads in autumn and going for a Gelato in Toronto on a summer evening.
Other than its engine melody, what about your favorite soundtrack for a nice Sunday drive?
The stereo cassette deck is barely audible in the Dino – even with an amp and a woofer!
That being said, I always love listening to Dire Straits’ first album as a soundtrack to a thrilling drive.
Any advice for someone willing to go for a driving adventure in Canada?
There are several car clubs in Ontario that arrange some beautiful drives in the early Autumn. The Porsche, Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Mini, Triumph and Morgan clubs would be worth contacting.
Ontario hosts both British and Italian car days that are definitely worth visiting in late August/early September.
Thanks to Avi Katz for his words and pictures