[Duetto66]

Hi, I'm new to the group. I'm chasing down two different Dino 308gt4s in Europe as I can't handle the US bumpers. however i also downloaded a pdf that lists all the changes made when the car was rebadged to a Ferrari. looks like a lot of items were upgraded probably based on analysis of weak points on earlier production. many different seals, door hinge hardware, venting, list goes on forever. Am I making a mistake purchasing a Dino badged car based on reliability due to the lack of upgrades to secondary systems and components? I've attached the list i downloaded. thanks for your time

 

[Duetto66]

Thanks to all the replies. I'm not sure what you mean by "armchair/expert", [email protected] I gladly admit to zero expertise which is why i asked people more knowledgeable than myself if any of the differences were worth considering. I've owned/own vintage Ferraris, Maseratis, Astons and Alfas and always look to the advice of others. I'm partial to Gandini's intent so I'm going for the Euro version. And yes Robert Garvin there is quite the premium especially adding the cost of importation. Bringing a Shamal here now and had to sit down when all the expenses were totalled. I have three cars on shortlist and will pull the trigger this coming week now that so many of you have made it clear the differences are not as important a condition. thanks to all.

 

[Duetto66]

Hi, After living and working in NYC most of my life I've moved to Charleston. We don't have inspections in this state. I assume under the 25 year rule I don't have to have this smogged but this is the first car I've purchased for importation that was also available in the US at the time of production so maybe I'm wrong. Two of the cars I've narrowed my selection to are 75s. The 3rd is a 76. As noted I'm bringing in a Shamal now but that was never sold here. If you look at the list of upgrades noted (but perhaps not uniformly implemented) there are seals, etc. that could have been changed/upgraded due to failure. Thus I thought it reasonable to ask people more knowledgeable if anything was critical. Robert I definitely intend two drive this thing. I have no idea if the optional 16" wheels are unobtanium but would you recommend these and the QV anti roll bar ?

 

[Duetto66]

Thank everyone for the useful comments. The following summary of my search for a Euro delivery 308gt4 over the past couple months, is of no interest to anyone who hasn't chased unicorns so be forewarned. I narrowed down my search to 4 cars, three in various states of apparently decent but partially unknown condition and one undergoing a nut and bolt restoration in the appealing state where I could specify the interior finishes. As briefly as possible; one of the the cars at a famous vintage dealer in Germany was so falsely represented that the Ferrari specialist who i hired for a PPI stopped after 2 hours reviewing the body and trim since he didn't want to waste my money on further mechanical inspection and told me to run away. The two others were those situations where every time you ask for a more detailed photo of something you kinda see online the worse it gets. Lastly the nut and bolt restoration would be expensive under any circumstances but the roughly $20,000 additional cost to get it here put it in the $175,000 range. A bit rich for my blood for this car. Its been a bit exhausting but I leaned a lot about the model, not least from responders here. I have a couple other cars on my shortlist which I'm going to focus on, take a breather and start over. Thanks again.

 

[Duetto66]

yep. just need a break for a bit. Searching in Europe for European bumpered and side marker car so even more of a pain. thanks

 

[Duetto66]

Hello everyone. Giving a happy update to me search. Taking some time off after several false starts reinvigorated me and also meant a couple new options came up. I ended up buying a 74 Dino out of Holland that had a nut and bolt restoration about 2000 miles ago. Got hundreds of photos of the resto including new wiring loom etc. Giallo with a black cloth and leatherette interior. A bit punchy but the reductive design looks okay in bright yelow. In England now. No idea how long till it gets stateside. I'd like to thank those with helpful comments especially Robert. I'd like to have a follow up conversation if your up for it. Can i give you my email in this forum? is that permmitted? thanks again.

 

[Duetto66]

Sorry I didn't know how to post photos. I see the menu below now but I've got to work today so I'll upload this evening.

 

[Duetto66]

 

[Duetto66]

308gt4 tool kits. Hi, I'm trying to source a toolkit appropriate for my new 74 gt4

. I recall reading on a Ferrari website awhile ago that the tools were different than for 308 GTB. I have this incomplete set available but having never seen one wondering if any owner can confirm . May never find the missing tools but figured partial's better than none. thanks in advance for any response.

 

[Duetto66]

Hi all. I'd like to do the digital ignition conversion on my new arrival. Are there several alternative systems or just one that everyone uses? Any resource would be helpful. Also to Robert Garvin: Can you tell me the rim size(s) and tire sizes for you 2nd wider set shown on the photo of both your cars. Of if anyone else has suggestions regarding these as well. thanks to all. Jeff

 

[Duetto66]

Thanks for the reply miahshodan. shame about that Forza system not being available

 

[Duetto66]

FYIEelectromotive is permanently closed and Forza has no suggerstions for an equivalent product. any suggestions out there other than Petronix? thanks in advance