Chassis No. 08424 Engine No. 00147 When Ferrari unveiled the Dino 308 GT4 in 1973, it marked a significant shift in the company's road car philosophy. After two decades of curvaceous Pininfarina designs, Ferrari handed the assignment to Bertone, whose sharp-edged, wedge-shaped coupe introduced a new design aesthetic, representing the dawn of Ferrari's mid-engine V8 era. Positioned transversely behind the cabin, its 2.9-liter, dual-overhead-cam engine delivered 255 PS through a five-speed gearbox positioned below the engine, allowing the 2+2 layout. This enabled Ferrari to compete directly with the likes of Lamborghini's Urraco while offering a fresh alternative to the brand's long lineage of front-engine V12s. The car's development even benefited from input by Formula One champion Niki Lauda, who praised its balance and drivability. Today, the 308 GT4 is appreciated not only as a capable driver's car but also as the foundation of Ferrari's V8 bloodline, setting the stage for icons like the 308/328, F355, 360 and beyond. Delivered in July 1974 through Motor S.p.A. in Rome, the Dino went to Amedeo Mario Ortolani, a prominent Italian entrepreneur, political figure, and journalist. The car is reported to be one of only 134 finished in Marrone Dino Metallizzato (Metallic Brown) with a Beige velour interior. Lavishly, the car was optioned with the expensive Borletti air conditioning system. Following his purchase, the car was diligently maintained by Gioacchino Vari for its first three services through October 1974 at 5,000 kilometers. To celebrate his appointment as the president of the major Roman electronics company Voxson in April 1975, the Ferrari was upgraded with a Voxson Stereo 8 radio. Following this joyous appointment, Ortolani was kidnapped on 10 June 1975, only to be released after the one billion Lire ransom was paid 11 days later. Following this incident, the car was placed in storage as the family wanted to keep a low profile. It remained there until 1989, when it was sold with under 7,000 kilometers. Despite sucessive changes in ownership, the car remained in storage until late 2023, when it was displayed as found during the Milano AutoClassica. Remaining untouched and highly original today, the odometer continues to read under 7,000 kilometers at cataloging. As a result, this early-production Dino offers its next caretaker the opportunity to resurrect the car to its glory, likely as one of the lowest-mileage and most original examples extant.
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- VIN Code08424
