Question regarding 246 Dino | FerrariChat
Buy

Question regarding 246 Dino

Discussion in '206/246' started by Randy Harris, Jan 30, 2008.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. Randy Harris

    Randy Harris Karting

    Feb 23, 2006
    112
    Northern California
    Full Name:
    R.C. Harris
    #1 Randy Harris, Jan 30, 2008
    I've been looking to purchase a vintage 246 Dino for almost two years. Although I've come close, the right car (at the right price) hasn't arrived.
    I'm just curious, it seems that there are a significant number of Ferrari enthusiasts and owners that do not consider the 246 Dino a true Ferrari, but rather a little brother to the Ferrari - a bastard if you will. Some are insulted when they see a Dino with a Cavalino displayed on the body. At $100k plus, good vintage Dinos have surpassed the costs of more modern Ferrari such as the 348/355. So, what is it that gets under the skin of Ferrari owners about this great car? Is it the 6 cyl engine? The fact that Enzo didn't want it properly badged? Like I said, just curious.
     
  2. James_Woods

    James_Woods F1 World Champ

    May 17, 2006
    12,755
    Dallas, Tx.
    Full Name:
    James K. Woods
    #2 James_Woods, Jan 30, 2008
    I just got a multi-JPG full color flame from poster Newman in another thread which showed a disassembled engine block to prove that the word Fiat appears on the casting.

    100K would in reality be very cheap now for this car, and except for a very few holdouts there are IMHO no legitimacy issues any more.

    Speaking as someone who rejected one of these in 1972 and bought a Porsche 911 instead, I feel fully qualified to reveal myself as an idiot at the time.
     
  3. UroTrash

    UroTrash Four Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Jan 20, 2004
    40,487
    Purgatory
    Full Name:
    Clifford Gunboat
    #3 UroTrash, Jan 30, 2008

    Harsh.

    I think there were several bastards but Dino was definitely not one of them.

    Just bid your time, I'm sure a nice Dino will turn up for less than 100K.
     
  4. 4redno

    4redno Formula 3

    Mar 21, 2006
    1,067
    Seattle, WA
    Full Name:
    Keith Mitchell Wintraub
    #4 4redno, Jan 30, 2008
    I think that if you bid your time, a nice Dino will turn up for less than $200K. The days of sub $100K Dinos in good condition are long gone as even a basket case Dino is approaching $100K.

    The Dino is an extraordinary car and a unique Ferrari brand which holds a special place in Ferrari's history.

    My only recommendation is to avoid a car which needs restoring unless you have unlimited funds and plan to hold onto the car for 20+ years. They are expensive and challenging to restore and you will go underwater for a long time if you attempt to do so.

    I love my Dino and wouldn't trade it for a 355/360/430 in any condition. It is a pleasure to own, drive, work on or simply look at. Dino owners are a passionate bunch.

    ...Keith
     
  5. Ken

    Ken F1 World Champ

    Oct 19, 2001
    16,078
    Arlington Heights IL
    Full Name:
    Kenneth
    #5 Ken, Jan 30, 2008
    If you've been looking for 2 years you've missed the boat, sorry. It done sailed without you. 2006 saw good 246's trade a solid $100k less than what they seem to be fetching today. And some of those $200k cars still need work.

    Ken
     
  6. opus10583

    opus10583 Formula 3

    Dec 3, 2003
    1,779
    Westchester, NY
    Full Name:
    Mark
    #6 opus10583, Jan 30, 2008
    Ferrari badges added to a Dino indicate more about the owner's "shortcomings" than anything genuine car enthusiasts might be concerned with.

    ...But they're nothing compared to spurious SF badges.

    Are you posting from the Clinton administration?

    "A Ferrari owner is not necessarily a Ferrari driver." - Enzo Ferrari

    Enzo did want them properly badged, with his late son's (nick)name, Dino.

    Anybody who's still doing the 'Dinos aren't really Ferraris' hat dance is worth avoiding.
     
  7. 4redno

    4redno Formula 3

    Mar 21, 2006
    1,067
    Seattle, WA
    Full Name:
    Keith Mitchell Wintraub
    #7 4redno, Jan 30, 2008
    I needed a good laugh today. Thanks for the great line!

    Cheers...Keith
     
  8. Randy Harris

    Randy Harris Karting

    Feb 23, 2006
    112
    Northern California
    Full Name:
    R.C. Harris
    #8 Randy Harris, Jan 30, 2008
    Yes, I'm all too aware of that. When I started my search I had an $80k limit and was certain I'd find a nice example at that price. Alas, the few that I looked at were far less than advertised. Now, at a $100k limit, I'm still looking at troubled, less than stellar examples. The boat has indeed sailed without me I'm afraid. It is good to know that the negative assumptions and biases regarding the Dino 246 have largely been put to bed. They are indeed very cool cars.

    Randy
     
  9. opus10583

    opus10583 Formula 3

    Dec 3, 2003
    1,779
    Westchester, NY
    Full Name:
    Mark
    #9 opus10583, Jan 30, 2008
  10. 4redno

    4redno Formula 3

    Mar 21, 2006
    1,067
    Seattle, WA
    Full Name:
    Keith Mitchell Wintraub
    #10 4redno, Jan 30, 2008
  11. opus10583

    opus10583 Formula 3

    Dec 3, 2003
    1,779
    Westchester, NY
    Full Name:
    Mark
    #11 opus10583, Jan 30, 2008
    "It's funny, because it's true."
     

Share This Page