The 208 GT4 was first shown at the Paris Auto Salon in 1973. Originally introduced as a stablemate for its predecessor, the 246 GT Dino, it is noteworthy in that it is the only time Bertone was used to style a road-going production Ferrari. The wedge shape and angular body was certainly in keeping with other cars of the era designed by Bertone and a stark contrast to Ferraris penned by Pininfarina. The flying buttress roofline gave the car a semi-fastback look. This was also Ferrari’s first mid-engined 2+2 and the first use of a V-8 in a Ferrari road car. While riding on a 100.4 inch wheelbase, suspension is independent with upper and lower wishbones at four corners.

A total of 2,826 were built from 1973 to 1980 in three series. In 1975 Ferrari introduced the 208 GT4 at the Geneva Motor Show. This was a low-displacement version of the 208 GT4 specifically for the Italian market where cars with a larger than two-displacement engine were subject to a value-added tax (VAT) of 38-percent. The engine was downsized to 1,991-cc making it the smallest production V-8 ever used in a Ferrari road car. Power was rated at 170-hp with a top speed of 137-mph.