For Ferrari’s first mid-engine V-8 road car, they approached the design team at Bertone to develop a shape completely different from anything the company had built before. Designed by Marcello Gandini, the Dino 308 GT4 eschewed the gentle curves and swooping lines from the brand’s past. In their place, Bertone’s straight lines and angles signaled the beginning of a new design language that would remain prominent through the next two decades.

This 1973 Ferrari Dino 308 GT4, chassis 07202, is the first production 308 ever built, and it was shown by Ferrari at the 1973 Paris Motor Show for the model’s debut. Its serial number falls within the range of Dino 246 models, having been built well before the end of 246 production. As the first V-8-powered Ferrari road car, it stands as the progenitor of one of Ferrari’s most successful models, which became ubiquitous with the Ferrari name.

Finished in dazzling Azzurro Metallizzato (Light Blue Metallic), this GT4 has been extensively restored in current ownership by Naples Classic Car of Naples, Florida, to concours-winning condition. In 2016, the 308 was taken down to bare metal where the restorers found a number of interesting features unique to this car, and numerous parts had “1” written on them in marker from the factory. Interestingly, this car’s fiberglass tub consisted of many more pieces than on examples produced later, demonstrating the hand-built quality of this initial example.

During the restoration, the engine and gearbox were both rebuilt and a new wiring harness was installed. In previous ownership the Ferrari’s original engine was replaced with a later-production unit. The interior was brought back to the original show car’s specification: pristine white leather trim complemented by blue fabric seat inserts and dark blue carpeting. It represents the purest example of Gandini’s design, with short bumpers and a single-color paint scheme.

Since its completion, this Ferrari has only been shown once, at the 2017 Cavallino Classic, where it won a Platinum Award, as well as the Finest 8-Cylinder Ferrari award. This Dino 308 GT4 is offered with a full set of books and manuals, complete tool roll, and extensive restoration documentation. Importantly, The consignor has recently applied for Ferrari Classiche certification through Ferrari of Naples, approval of which is pending review.

This is the only car in the world that can lay claim to being the first mid-engine, V-8 Ferrari production car, making it a welcome addition to many of the finest events around the world. Its beautiful restoration and significance as not only the first Ferrari 308, but also as a factory show car, place it on a very short list of eight-cylinder Ferraris that would slot into any of the world’s finest collections.

*Please note that this vehicle is titled as F106AL07202.