Your classic: Ferrari 308GT4

Features
 | 14 Apr 2026
Classic & Sports Car – Your classic: Ferrari 308GT4

I had been searching for a Ferrari 308GT4 for quite a while, but with a limited budget I knew it would take time, and living in Cornwall meant a round trip of 300-500 miles just to view most cars.

On more than one occasion that involved driving for two or three hours to see a car advertised as being in good condition, only to find it neglected and poorly repaired – and nothing like the photos emailed to me.

In 2010, I was fortunate enough to find a GT4 that fitted my criteria and which was only 10 miles from my home.

Classic & Sports Car – Your classic: Ferrari 308GT4

The Ferrari 308GT4’s repaired interior looks fantastic

Originally the owner had intended to restore it himself; I asked if he would give me first refusal if he changed his mind.

Two years later he rang to say he had accepted that he would never find the time to carry out the restoration, and he was prepared to sell me the car.

I could see past the corrosion, tired interior and cracked leather, and we came quickly to a fair price. I had just bought myself a Ferrari!

Classic & Sports Car – Your classic: Ferrari 308GT4

The Ferrari 308GT4’s restored bodywork was painted Rosso Corsa

My 308GT4 was first registered in March 1976 and finished in metallic Oro Chiaro over Nero – gold with black trim.

Until 1984 it changed ownership yearly, which isn’t uncommon.

If the Ferrari experience was a happy one, they would trade up to a newer model; if not, they’d likely buy a Porsche 911.

The eighth owner took the car to Denmark, where it spent years in a museum.

In 2002 it found its way back to the UK, by that time finished completely in black.

Classic & Sports Car – Your classic: Ferrari 308GT4

After driving hundreds of miles to view Ferrari 308GT4s, Ian Hatherly found this car 10 miles from his home

In 2006, some remedial work was carried out to the front wings and door bottoms, and the colour was changed again, to Rosso Corsa.

My plan was to carry out the restoration in stages.

The priority was the bodywork, which was dealt with by Ultimate Finish of Camborne.

To keep costs down, Paul the owner allowed me to use a corner of his workshop to strip and prepare the car under his guidance.

Classic & Sports Car – Your classic: Ferrari 308GT4

The Ferrari 308GT4’s five-spoke wheels are like new

He then removed any corrosion and finally finished it in flawless Rosso Corsa.

The seats were repaired, the carpets replaced and the bumpers rechromed.

My priority was drivability and reliability over originality, so I replaced the shock absorbers and springs with Koni items.

The brake calipers were corroded and seized, so I replaced those with four-pot calipers and bigger discs, plus a new master cylinder.

Classic & Sports Car – Your classic: Ferrari 308GT4

Blue smoke from the Ferrari’s V8 heralded a top-end rebuild to replace the worn valve guides and tired camshafts, and a new clutch was fitted while the engine was out

The previous service was in 2008, so the cambelts, tensioners, water pump, fluids and filters were done.

To offset the costs, all the replaced items were sold to a guy in Italy.

My first trip after completion of the rebuild ended abruptly: I was descending a rather steep hill at the bottom of which was a pair of railway lines sunk in the road, and the car bottomed out, damaging a hose.

I carried out a temporary repair and limped home.

Classic & Sports Car – Your classic: Ferrari 308GT4

The Ferrari 308GT4’s engine was rebuilt by a local specialist

Over the following two years, weather allowing, the Ferrari was used for long drives around the south-west, attending classic shows and charity runs held by the British Legion. It’s a joy to drive.

Last year on a Poppy Appeal run I noticed some blue smoke on the overrun, indicating valve-guide wear.

Hearing about sodium-filled exhaust valves snapping on early Ferraris, including 308GT4s, and causing major damage, I decided to remove the engine and strip out the cylinder heads, which were sent to Pete Willis Engineering of Tavistock for a rebuild.

Classic & Sports Car – Your classic: Ferrari 308GT4

In Ferrari terms, the 308GT4 is a fairly practical choice

Fresh guides, valves and springs were fitted, along with machined seats.

There was a worn lobe on one of the exhaust camshafts, so all four cams were replaced.

On refitting the engine, cracks were spotted on both manifolds, so they were then replaced with stainless-steel items.

With the engine out I took the opportunity to replace the clutch – what a difference in selecting reverse!

After 15 years of highs and lows I finally have the car I always knew it could be.

Friends are quick to tell me I drive it with a stupid grin on my face. Who cares?

Want to star in our ‘Your classic’ section of the magazine and online? Get in touch

Factfile

  • Owned by Ian Hatherly
  • First classic 1965 Lotus Elan S2
  • Dream classic Ferrari Dino 246

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