Which is the Best Ferrari? - /DRIVEN

If you restored, raced, and collected Ferraris, which would be your favorite? John Pogson is all those things, and his answer may surprise you.

[maseraticc]

I always revisit this video every so often - so many perfectly articulated reasons why owning and driving an older Ferrari is so special. The Bertone design is just so achingly beautiful and is from a time where car design was dare-I-say-it classy compared to today - this car absolutely is a work of art both inside and out.

[stephenfabiano]

In 1984 I purchased a 1979 Ferrari 308gt4 #15234 in Rosso Chiaro & Light Tan Leather int., Sunroof & Rear Window Defroster! At 5 yrs. old & only 7k+ orig. miles it was almost new!
Although, this was one of the last 15 LHD gt4's produced by Ferrari, it had to meet the late 70's strict USA Polution Stds.!
So, Ferrari accomplished that by building the 3.0L V8 with Twin everything...CATS, Coils, Distributors & Points. Ultimately, reducing HP output vs the Euro Spec. gt4's as seen in this video!
But, not for long!
Because, I was lucky to find a Ferrari Mechanic from Italy, living not to far away from me on Long Island. So Giuseppe, started by not removing, but disconnecting all the Polution Junk, and installed an ANSA Exhaust System without CATS! Keeping the Twin Marrelli Distributors, but using only one set of points in each! And, after adjusting the Valves/Timing, and synchronizing the 4 Dual Down Draft Weber Carbs., the sound you hear from this videos gt4, was exactly what mine sounded like! Years later I found a set of 16" Ferrari Campagnolo rims off of a 1984 308 Quattro Valve, had them reconditioned & added Crossdrilled Rotors, SS Brakelines & Mogul 600 Brake Fluid, which greatly improved Braking/Handling, while reaming stock looking!
I owned my gt4 for 26 Wonderful & Exhilarating Years, but finally sold her with 48k+ miles, and all the OEM & Aftermarket parts, to a Doctor from New Mexico! Yearly Maintenance over 26 years averaged out to approx. $1, 200 a yr., with the most expensive Ferrari Service being the required 30k mile Factory Service costing $4, 800...Ouch!
Now that I am retired, this video brings back great menories of my own years driving my Ferrari gt4!😍😎

[peterhenrys]

This video put chills up my spine. As a GT4 owner for 40 years, I share John's passion for this beautiful piece of automotive history. So many of John's comments hit a chord with me. The best one was the ugly duckling is now a beautiful swan. This car is so much fun to drive and like a number of cars from the past, it represents a lost age of driving pleasure

[MindDezign]

I love this man's emotional connection..
Mine was a Ford GT40, that blew its race motor on a trip to cape cod by two guys from NY.
I helped them every day after school for four days. Transplanting a Ford 289 from the local scrap yard. In th 70's. The gt40 in the early 70s to me like a UFO landing in my neighborhood.
Im 64 been working on sports cars. Soon as I could (15yrs old )
A right hand drive bugeye sprite.
Today rebuilding 2 Datsun Z cars.
And many many sports cars in between, while I ran my own Sports Car Restoration shop for 20 years.
You dont find Classic Cars...they find you....

[jebryan]

I love seeing these stories told by John Pogson.What a great storyteller. It's rare to hear a man convey his passion while staying humble. Especially in the Ferrari world. Please keep these Pogson Chronicles coming.. As a Drive "fan", I appreciate all the hard work you guys do. What you do differentl, is provide a hip and refreshing view into the ever growing automotive culture, with a huge variety of content, there's something to stimulate enthusiasts from all walks. To me, this is the way automotive journalism was meant to to presented. And it's appreciated.

[DavidKAnderson]

I can't even envy John Pogson for having that car (and that job). The guy just so obviously appreciates what he has.

[jeffsloane]

This guy gets it 100%! Truer words are rarely spoken.

[HollywoodF]

The F40 was the car that stopped me in my tracks as a middle school kid and made me a car guy. Then, I don't remember the order, but I wanted an 80s Testarossa and a 328 GTS. Then I wanted a 348 ts. I know... I know... but the heart wants what the heart wants. My current daily driver was my childhood dream car in 1983-- a DeLorean (yes, before Back to the Future, thank you very much.) FUN FACT-- the 1990 Ferrari 348 has the same length, width, height, and wheelbase as the DeLorean, each to within about an inch. Did Pinifarina benchmark a mid-70s Giugiaro design?

[PaxAlien]

For me, what realy counts & I quote from him " It makes me feel good ! "
Almost everyone cares about the looks of a car but what's equally as important is how it feels when you drive it !

[.fresh]

Google him, Ferrari has been his whole life. Once you know his story you can understand where he's coming from. I would of loved to had have this guys life.

[spdrcrj]

Another John Pogson gem! I could listen to him tell his stories all day.

[theslimrealshady]

I cant think of a better car to drive the Wood head and Snake pass in than a 308 of some kind. I like the gold Compomotives, the side view a minute into the video with those wheels lend it a Stratos in a business suit type of look. Great video of a fantastic car. I've subscribed of course.

[benireland]

Big up YORKSHIRE!! Beautiful driving roads and great people like this guy!

[JanBinnendijk]

I very much agree.. years ago i passed a car restoration shop daily, on my way to work, and every day i would look inside to get a glance of that beautiful Dino 308 Gt4 they were restoring at the time.. it was a thing of beauty to me, even though i had not much to wish for.. as i was driving a Matra Murena at that time..
Later on, the owner of that company became a customer of mine, as i built some Odometer conversion kits for him to change Mile-Odometers in to kilometer Odometers, by installing a different set of gears in the standard housing..and so i got to take a peak in the shop.. the Gt4 however was long gone, to be enjoyed daily by the owner..

It is clearly a Marcello Gandini design, it looks like a Stratos 2+2, the rough edges buffed off turning it into a great and true GT

[GrotrianSeiler]

Wow. LOVE the car. LOVE this guy. What a great video, this one. So often criticized, but I loved the GT4 long before this video hit the internet. The best Ferrari is the one that pushes your buttons. It's only for you to say.

[kanaric]

I like how the commentators and claiming their favorites and it's all like the ridiculous crazy super-ferraris like the F40 or 288. This guy owns and experiences this car, you've probably never even seent he one you mentioned aside the poster on your wall.

[dannyarooster]

I had an opportunity to buy one in the bay area in the mid 2000s for 12500. At the time I couldn't get over it's looks and potential maintenance cost vs value. Today I kick myself for not picking up a manual pre-smog vintage mid engine Ferrari.... Bertone designed the straps and this has the same shape and beauty that I appreciate today in a world of overdone styling

[larryp.]

I found this story very personal for me. I'm in a position to purchase a special vehicle that represents my 'beginning' as well and this video helped clarify my decision. Thank you and I wish you all the best.

[The_Inspiration_]

I completely agree once u find a vehicle that u vibe with like no other or find plenty of vehicles that carry a specific engine that u know what it truly sounds like by just tinkering with the exhaust that's a match made in heaven.

[BanjoLuke]

What a lovely car. What a sweet story of the first encounter in a workshop bay. And absolutely spot-on about the 0-60 time and the fast gearchange.
In its day that was a very, very fast car. Today it is a very fast car. And a very, very engaging one. Lovely video.