This Italian automobile is getting the respect it deserves.
Al Ierardi has a fiery passion for his 1973 Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 and you can hardly blame him. To the uninitiated the classic 2+2 might just look like another pretty Ferrari, but once you dig into the history behind the car, anyone can appreciate its significance. Ierardi knows all there is to the car, which is why he snatched it up when he had the chance.
Some will quibble that the Dino wasn’t badged as a Ferrari at the time it was released. That’s true, but it was named after Enzo’s first son, which is a big deal. Bertone created the body, and that was the only time the Italian designer bodied a road-going car in its history. Before this, every Ferrari was designed by Pininfarina. While the car body measures just over 4.3 meters long, which is quite the accomplishment for a mid-engined 2+2, it also looks amazing from every angle.
That’s not all the firsts this Dino 308 GT4 represents. It was the first road-going Ferrari to use a V8, something we absolutely take for granted today. After all, Ferraris and V8s are a natural pairing.
As if that weren’t enough, this particular car owned by Ierardi was used as the prototype and manufacturing template for all the other Dino 308 GT4s. It was then used in the 1974 24 Hours of Le Mans by Luigi Chinetti, a friend of Enzo Ferrari.
After its racing days were over, the car was sold directly to a Ferrari factory customer, so it never passed through a dealer. From there its whereabouts were unknown. Ierardi spotted it while watching Jay Leno, recognizing the vehicle disguised as a Ferrari 308 GTB was really a 308 GT4. Fortunately, he was able to track it down with Ferrari’s help and acquired this amazing piece of automotive history.
Wearing a striking Azzuro Metallic Blue after a full restoration, this classic looks amazing with white leather throughout the interior. Ultimately, Ierardi wants to show off his Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 at the storied Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, inspiring a new generation of automotive fans.
