1978 - 1985 Ferrari 308 GTB Group 4 - Images, Specifications and Information

Model history:

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Established in 1969, Michelotto have grown from the Padova Ferrari dealership to a longtime partner of the Italian manufacturer, entrusted with the development and construction of Ferrari's GT and sports racing cars for nearly four decades. In doing so, the specialist company effectively filled the void left by Ferrari's withdrawal from sports car racing to focus completely on Formula 1 at the end of the 1973 season.

The first of the long line of Michelotto prepared Ferraris was the Group 4 rally version of the 308 GTB. This was not created on the behest of the factory but instead was commissioned by several Italian and French privateers. Among the initial customers was French importer Charles Pozzi, who needed a replacement for his ageing Daytona Competiziones and would go on to order no fewer than four Group 4 308 GTBs from Michelotto.

As base for the new rally car served the original, fibreglass bodied version of the 308 GTB, which had already been replaced by a heavier, steel bodied version by this time. This also explains why most of the 308 GTB Group 4s have relatively early chassis numbers. The steel tubular chassis was carried over pretty much unaltered but most body-panels were replaced with identical parts in composite materials like Kevlar. The wider wheel-arches were the only clearly visible changes to the Pininfarina-penned lines.

Michelotto also considerably modified the 308 GTB's all-alloy V8. It was fitted with lighter heads and high compression pistons. This raised the power to over 300 bhp from the 255 bhp available in the road car. The engine was also equipped with a revised dry-sump system and an enlarged oil tank. Optimised for quick acceleration, the Group 4 was also equipped with a close-ratio gearbox and a limited-slip ZF differential that could be adjusted depending on the type of rally stage.

Tipping the scales at just 1,050 kg, Michelotto's Ferrari 308 GTB Group 4 was launched in Padova on March 2nd, 1978. The first car was entrusted to Roberto Liviero to make its debut at the Targa Florio three weeks later. An engine failure brought a premature end to the first outing of the Ferrari rally racer. This would be the first of many retirements with a variety of issues for the Group 308 GTB that year. It was not until the Rallye de Monza in the spring of 1979 that the car scored its first victory, piloted that day by 'Lele' Pinto.

That long elusive win would be followed by many more outright wins. Particularly successful behind the wheel of the Pozzi-entered, and Pioneer liveried 308 GTBs was Jean-Claude Andruet, who scored back-to-back wins in the Targa Florio and the Tour de France in 1981 and 1982. After leading after the first five stages, Andruet also finished second overall during the 1982 Tour de Corse, which remains the only ever podium result for a Ferrari in the World Rally Championship.

Ahead of the 1983 season, the sport's governing body introduced the Group B category. Michelotto responded with a revised version of the 308 GTB, complete with four-valve cylinder heads but it struggled to the more advanced competition consisting largely of purpose-built racing cars. Only four of these Group B cars were constructed, in addition to the eleven Group 4 Ferrari 308 GTBs built between 1978 and 1982.

The strong results of the Michelotto developed and built 308 GTB Group 4 had not gone unnoticed and by the early 1980s, Ferrari tasked the small company to develop a more sophisticated machine. This was the 308 GT/M, which in a combined effort would ultimately lead to the 288 GTO Evoluzione and the F40 production. Significant in more ways than one, the 308 GTB Group 4 remains as the only successful modern Ferrari rally car and cemented the relationship between Ferrari and Michelotto that bears fruit to this day.

Chassis: 20373

Ordered new from Michelotto by Charles Pozzi, this 308 GTB Group 4 served mainly as a test and reconnaissance car for Jean-Claude Andruet during the 1982 season. At the end of the year, Pozzi sold the car to a French gentleman driver racing under the confidence inspiring pseudonym of 'Panic'. He briefly campaigned the car in national events in 1983 and retained the car until 2005. Restored to its Pozzi Pioneer livery, it was offered by Bonhams in their 2008 Gstaad sale but bids stopped short of the reserve.

Chassis: 20951

Chassis 20951 was the very first example built by Michelotto and used extensively in Italian events between 1978 and 1980. Pinto raced it to the type's outright victory at the Rallye de Monza in 1979. At the end of 1980, it was sold to Pozzi, who fielded it in the Hunsruck Rally for Andruet. Liveried in the striking Pioneer colours, it was soon after sold to Asterix author Albert Uderzo. He owned it until 1998 and today this historic machine is part of a prominent English collection.

Chassis: 21883

Using a 1977 chassis, this Ferrari 308 GTB Group 4 was not raced in period. It eventually passed into American hands, and was raced at a variety of contemporary events between 1986 and 1992. In more recent years, chassis 21883 was campaigned in historic events on both sides of the Atlantic by Steven Dudley using among others, a Gulf-inspired livery. Now in British hands and painted a more traditional red, this 308 GTB Group 4 is seen here during the 2013 Tour Auto.

Chassis: 31135

Built in 1981 by Michelotto, this Group 4 308 GTB was sold new to Francis Vincent. He extensively and successfully campaigned it during the 1982 season in France and Belgium with Willy Huret as his co-driver. Their best result was an outright win in the Rallye de Mont-Blanc. Still in French hands, it is today regularly used in historic events like the Tour Auto. Chassis 31135 is seen here, painted in Pozzi's famous Pioneer colours, during the 2010 edition.