"Real" Dinos and How the World Turns

A friend of mine had one. His wife called it the "Meerkat."

I guess that if deTomasso could have the mangusta. . .

Seriously cool car, and something that we don't see very often. Enjoy!

 

There you go. I call my car "Fun."

(I do have trouble with "re-bodied" Datsuns and Pontiac Fieros being called Ferraris, but I guess that's a topic for another thread.)

 

FIAT Dinos, particularly spiders, are magnificent automobiles. Mike, when I saw what I believe was your spider going in the other direction on the 101 last Sept., I grinned from ear to ear, and had a hard time concentrating on the heavy traffic I was in. I've always lusted after them, and yours is a stunner! Fred

 

I'd call it whatever the badging on it indicated from the factory. If it had Dino on it, then call it that. It does look great in that green color!

BT

 

My shop here has started a bare metal resto on a FIAT Dino coupe, I made them push it BACK outside until they finished my GTB!!!! LOL!!!

 

At the end of the day, all of this "Not a real Ferrari" and "Not a real Dino" talk is a variant of the old "Mine is bigger than yours" argument (or perhaps, "Mine has twice as many cylinders as yours.") I tell skeptics that my 246 GTs have two pedigrees--one as Ferraris and the other as Dinos. Those whose thinly-veiled envy prohibits them from acknowledging the worth or authenticity of something illustrate the old definition of a cynic as "someone who knows the cost of everything but the value of nothing." Fred

 

WOW...that put a smile on my face. Mine looked good because it was on the freeway, when you get close to it, you find out its a driver. Yes, I try to keep it very nice, no dents, no major scratches in the paint, no rips in the interior, mostly clean carpet, etc. and of course a reliable motor (with a few oil leaks) but it is just a driver, a very regular driver

Most likely mine if it was near Santa Barbara since I drive it quite often and I have not seen another one on the road in SB, there are 2 others but not Red and I have never seen them on the road.

Thanks for the compliment !!! I like it.

 

Keep the fire burning, Mike! Fred

 

it is a Maserati Merak SS.

I had a technician at a smog check station tell me, not ask me, that it's a kit car. Never could get him to believe me, even when I pointed out the build plates.

 

Right On Carreaper! Stuff polishing it till you reach the undercoat, drive the FxxKer like it was designed!!!!

 

Love the colour!!!, and the fact that you like driving it is all that matters. I personally think the looks are better than the 308GTB, definitely ageing better.

Not long ago I had a good friend of mine send me a photo of a GT4 that he didn't believe was a Ferrari, and apparently had had an argument with "somebody else" about saying no way that was a 308, etc. I sorted him out gently ...
Pete

 

Guys I really don't want to be controversial or provocative, but I think I have a somewhat different perspective.

First of all, I love the 308 GT4, I like the shape, I like the way it drives, I like the fact that you can put the kids in the back (or have a luggage shelf), and I particularly like it in green. I also LOVE the shape of the Fiat Dino, and I am told that the engine in front allows a much better appreciation of the glorious noise.

Now, as to the name question, I really don't understand the whole "real Ferrari" business. People tell me : "It's not a Ferrari", and I answer: "You are right, it's not a Ferrari, it's a Dino". Then they go: "You mean it's really a Fiat!" and I answer: "No, it's not a Fiat , it's a Dino". During the whole silly exchange I have a big, sincere, and happy smile on my face: I OWN A DINO. DINO. YES, A DINO.

And I am as proud of my Dino as I am of my 212 Inter, my 250 GT PF, or my 330GTC, which are all Ferraris. As I have written on this board many times, I listen carefully to people who make offers on my Ferraris, but I refuse to discuss selling my DINO. I will never sell it. I have developed an emotional bond with her (my DINO is female) that preoccupies my wife, particularly when she catches me staring at it.

So why worry about its Ferrariness? A Dino does not need to be a Ferrari: It's just as good, just as beautiful, just as enjoyable as ANY Ferrari.

Now, I understand and respect different opinions on this subject, but what I do find disgusting and "poseurish" is the systematic defacement of this gorgeous car with Ferrari scripts and little horses. I think it is indicative of acute automotive insecurity, as well as a lack of respect for DINO.

Just my opinions of course, and we are all free to do whatever we want with our DINOS. That doesn't mean we should.

 

Julio, My feeling is that I bought both of my Dinos not because they are Ferraris, but in spite of the fact that they are not CALLED Ferraris. Beauty is a beauty does, and I agree that the Dino name is indeed a proud one. Fred

 

Two Dinos! You lucky man!

I have often fantasized about selling my Ferraris and buying a Fiat Dino Spider and a Lancia Stratos. Can you imagine the three in your garage? Same glorious engines, totally different and wonderful bodies.

 

I agree, that would be quite the trifecta! Before I bought my first 246 GT, I lusted after a FIAT Dino Spyder, but they are few and far between in the U.S. You certainly have an eclectic Ferrari collection, which seems suitable for just about every mood. Fred

 

Thank you Fred!

Julio

 

De nada, Julio! Fred

 

Well , have taken my outside! Besides, there you can have the most fun with it!!

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Wow, Maarten, your Dino is fantastic!
I may have missed other pictures, if you've already posted 'em. If so, where might I find them; if not, will you do us the favor of More Pics, Please?
Thanks & Cheers,
Coop

 

Hi Coop,

Thank you for your kind reply. I didn't post much pictures of my Dino yet. Here are some more... Hope you like them!

Maarten

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That's certainly a pristine Fiat Dino Coupe! Fred

 

What is the name of the green color on your 308/GT4 Dino, Aleventhal? Thanks. Jim

 

You guys crack me up. When I was driving a GT4 way back when, one of the things I liked most about it was being able to tell people it was a Dino when asked what the car was. I NEVER mentioned the word Ferrari. When asked what a Dino was, I just said it was an unusual Italian car. I consistently got much nicer and more friendly responses than I typically receive now when I have to either lie or say it's a Ferrari. When I sold my GT4, the guy that bought it wanted to replace all the Dino badges with Ferrari ones. I got some repro Ferrari emblems cheap from Black Barts in OK and traded for all the Dino stuff, which I still have up on my wall. It's an ADVANTAGE to be able to tell people it's a Dino, not a negative at all. Who are you trying to impress? Do you really care if somebody knows that your Dino was made by Ferrari? Baffling.

 

All right, if we are going to continue the Dino lovefest
Pics of my Dino this weekend...hint my FIAT Dino is the Red car.
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