1974 Ferrari Dino 308 GT4

Ferrari took a bit of a gamble with the 308 GT4. The company had established an incomparable reputation for fabulous sports and GT cars with front mounted V12s, but were so nervous of playing with the formula for road cars that the boys from Maranello kept the famous name off the 308 GT4 until 1975. Perhaps the marketing men knew it would raise eyebrows, more startling than a transverse V8 was the pair of rear seats, bigger and more useable than any other mid-engined car had managed or would manage for a while. But another dilution of its sports car credentials, surely?

Finally, there was the styling, Bertone's effort probably looks better now than it ever has, but at the time the push me pull you proportions gave traditionalists an attack of the vapours. For all this the car was a huge success-more than 3600 were sold, dwarfing sales of V12 models and showing Ferrari the way forward. Whatever your views on the looks, you can't argue with the power, the noise, the handling or the heritage. Today these '70s Ferraris look fantastic, handle brilliantly and are as fast as you are ever going to need in the real world, with a top speed of over 150mph and a 0-60mph acceleration time of 6.4 seconds. So what's not to like, yet a decent one will cost you no more than an equivalent new family car - which will continue to shed value faster than yesterday's newspapers.

We are informed by the vendor that this is 1 of 547 RHD cars supplied to the UK market; the car had a comprehensive body restoration between February 1996 and October 1997 which was photographed and documented and the fit and finish of the body remains in excellent condition to this day. Over the last 13 years the car has covered very few miles and we are informed by the vendor that the current mileage of 55580 is absolutely genuine. Rosso Corsa with beige velour and leather was the original colour scheme and the paint is free from any significant marks or damage. Underneath it is a similar situation and the vendor informs us of a clean bill health throughout the car, all of the trim, glass and lights are present and correct and are all in good condition.

The flat plane crank V8 barks into life, the carbs and exhaust competing for attention, the intake gurgle wins at lower revs before the raucous exhaust note on this car takes over as it wails towards the redline. We are informed by the vendor that the engine was rebuilt in 1992 by Ferrari specialist Rosneath Engineering at a cost of £5000. When warmed through both the engine and gearbox perform exactly as you would expect from a very well cared for example such as this and the car drives without fault, the braking system was overhauled in 1997 at a cost of £500 and more recently the cambelt was replaced in June of 2010 by Italia Autosport. This car has had owners who have maintained and restored the vehicle regardless of cost and this shows through in the driving experience. This really is a superb car in every way, the prices of these cars are on the up, this GT4 is quick practical and with a decent sized boot and near proper rear seats. Engines are tough by supercar standards and it drives beautifully, has a superb history portfolio and makes all the correct Ferrari sounds and represents astonishing value for money.