The Ferrari 308 GTB and GTS helped define the Italian automaker’s sports car lineup in the 1980s, combining wedge-shaped styling with memorable appearances in popular movies and television. Now, AC Motorsport is bringing that classic design back to life with the Michelotto Gruppo 4 Tributo, an all-new sports car that draws inspiration from the Ferrari 308 without being a conventional restomod. It pairs retro styling with a naturally aspirated V8, a five-speed manual transmission and a lightweight construction designed to make the most of its 380 horsepower.
The Michelotto Gruppo 4 Tributo Reimagines the Ferrari 308
The Ferrari 308 became one of the Prancing Horse’s defining models of the 1980s. The coupe and GTS, which featured a removable roof panel, also earned recognition through their appearances on screen. Tom Selleck drove a Ferrari 308 in Magnum P.I., Christie Brinkley drove a GTS in National Lampoon’s Vacation, and Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. used one in The Cannonball Run.
AC Motorsport is now revisiting that iconic design with the Michelotto Gruppo 4 Tributo. Although its appearance evokes a modernized Ferrari 308, the vehicle is entirely new from the ground up rather than a restomod based on an existing classic.
The name pays tribute to the Ferrari 308 Gruppo 4 race car, which competed in the late 1970s and early 1980s with preparation by Michelotto. The project originated during a dinner between Francesco Calzavara, founder of AC Motorsport, and an entrepreneur who had previously worked at Michelotto.
A Naturally Aspirated V8 Produces 380 Horsepower
Powering the Michelotto Gruppo 4 Tributo is a naturally aspirated 3.4-liter V8 featuring dual overhead camshafts for each bank of cylinders. The engine produces 380 horsepower at 8,250 rpm and 268 pound-feet of torque.
The crankcase and cylinder heads are made from aluminum. In a layout that mirrors the original Ferrari 308, the engine sits transversely behind the passenger compartment.
Power is delivered through a five-speed manual gearbox featuring a gated shifter. The transmission uses a dogleg shift pattern, placing first gear in the lower-left position typically occupied by second gear in conventional manual transmissions.
The suspension is adjustable to suit individual owners’ preferences, with adjustable shock absorbers and stabilizer bars at both the front and rear. Braking is handled by four-piston calipers at all four corners, paired with ventilated discs.
Why the Michelotto Gruppo 4 Tributo’s Weight Matters
Although 380 horsepower may seem modest compared with the output of many modern sports cars, the Michelotto Gruppo 4 Tributo weighs just 2,094 pounds with all fluids onboard except gasoline. Its low weight is intended to help the car make the most of its available power.
To keep mass down, AC Motorsport uses a tubular frame with an integrated roll cage and composite body panels. The design also preserves one of the original Ferrari 308’s most recognizable features: pop-up headlights.
The car’s wheels reinterpret the original Ferrari five-spoke design, with significantly larger openings between the spokes. All four wheels measure 18 inches in diameter, with widths of 8.5 inches at the front and 11 inches at the rear. Pirelli Trofeo RS tires complete the setup.
A Modern Cockpit With Classic Sports Car Influences
The Michelotto Gruppo 4 Tributo’s interior combines lightweight materials with modern instrumentation. Occupants sit in composite-shell seats upholstered in Alcantara, with four-point harnesses providing restraint.
The driver faces a simple three-spoke steering wheel and a rectangular digital instrument display. Red and blue lighting outlines the dashboard’s switches and buttons, adding a distinctive visual detail to the cockpit.
A New Sports Car Inspired by Ferrari’s Racing Heritage
With the Michelotto Gruppo 4 Tributo, AC Motorsport combines the styling cues of the Ferrari 308 with an entirely new vehicle built around a 3.4-liter V8, a five-speed manual transmission and a lightweight tubular-frame structure. Its 380-horsepower output, adjustable suspension and race-inspired details distinguish the project while preserving the visual character of the classic wedge-shaped sports car.
