In today's market, $37,000 (around €32,000) is barely enough to get behind the wheel of a new entry-level electric sedan. And yet, in the United States, this sum has just bought... a classic Ferrari with a V8 mid-engine. Not a replica, not a project abandoned in a barn, but a genuine Ferrari 308 GT4 from 1975 sold at auction after a heated battle.
A Ferrari like no other
The 308 GT4 occupies a very special place in Maranello's history. Introduced in 1973, it marked several firsts: Ferrari's first road-going V8, the first Ferrari 2+2 with a rear mid-engine, and the first to be designed by Bertone rather than Pininfarina. At the time, the brand didn't even dare to put its logo on it: it was sold under the Dino banner, to distinguish the more accessible models from the heart of the range.
The example sold in early February 2026 on the CarsandBids platform had all the ingredients that make this generation so charming: silver bodywork, red seventies interior, manual gearbox with metal grille and a 2.9-liter V8 placed behind the seats. Today's 240 hp may seem modest, but in the mid-70s it was already a true exotic. And above all, the mechanical experience is unlike that of a modern car: lively steering, raw sound and total driver engagement. As for the black bumpers, from 1974 onwards, all cars sold there had to withstand an impact at 8 km/h without structural damage. As a result, to homologate the 308 GT4 for the US market, the brand had to add these huge, rubber-absorbing bumpers mounted on hydraulic supports.
A tense auction... and a frustrated buyer
The sale did not go smoothly, however. The bidding stopped at $31,975 without reaching the reserve price. The platform then contacted several bidders to reach an agreement after closing. The highest bidder complained that he had replied too late to the negotiation e-mail, explaining that he was working and had not been able to check his e-mail immediately. In the meantime, the seller and the platform had already reached an agreement with another buyer for $37,000. In any case, at that price, it was a bargain.
A good deal... but not a gift
Yes, the Ferrari wasn't perfect. Far from it. Rebuilt after a small carburetor fire in 2015, the interior was marked by the passage of time, the electric windows were temperamental, the radio was out of order and, above all, the engine smoked on start-up. The seller advised that the carburetors should be rebuilt. Nevertheless, the car had been recently serviced: brakes overhauled, hoses replaced, front axles refurbished and oil changed in 2025. It had around 68,000 miles (almost 110,000 km), with original manual, parts, keys and documentation. In short, not a showpiece, but a good rolling base.
Ferrari for the price of a new electric car
That's precisely what makes this sale so interesting. For the price of a modern electric compact, typically a Tesla Model 3 currently priced at €37,000 $ in the US and €37,000 in Europe, someone walked away with a historic Ferrari, of which only 2,826 were produced between 1973 and 1980. Of course, the follow-up will cost much more than the initial invoice. The new owner will have to invest in mechanical refurbishment and reliability. But he will own an analog Ferrari from the 70s, with a mid-engine, manual gearbox and Bertone design.
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