End of an Era – the Dino and Italia

This last March, I placed an order for a 458 Italia. The Italia was the first of the post “Enzo-Era” Ferraris whose styling appealed to me, perhaps because the Italia’s styling was evocative of those earlier Ferraris.

Sheehan ends the collectible Ferrari period, which he calls the “Enzo Era,” in 1972, with of course our Dinos marking the end of that era. 1972 is actually a milestone year in the automotive world. The last of the small-bumper 911s were produced then, the model conforming within a year, as with most brands, with the U.S.’s new safety standards. The 1973 gas-crisis and the clean-air requirements that kicked in in 1974 heralded new sensitivities, and cars evolved very quickly. Their shapes changed dramatically too, illustrated by the startling difference between the Dino and the Stratos.

The Fiat and Montezemolo Eras followed the Enzo Era, according to Sheehan’s history. He did not expect of course that Montezemolo would leave by October 2014, ending that last era. With the planned spin-off of Ferrari by Fiat and the anticipated smaller-displacement, turbocharged motors for the new models, 2014 appears a milestone year for Ferrari.

Ferrari posts production-line photos in a webpage private to each owner, with captions that say “here is your Ferrari about to be painted,” etc. In September (coincidentally on my birthday), Ferrari emailed, notifying me of this photo of “my” Italia at the end of production, about to be tested.

I did not know of course that Montezemolo would be gone by the following month and that normally-aspirated models would probably be absent from next year’s model line. It may be that my Italia will share more than just the curves of the Dino in that it is likely to be the last of an era, too.
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Thanks, Brian. Most of the 911 models that spilled over to 1973, such as the "1973 RS," actually began production in 1972, I think. But, yes, the boundaries aren't clear lines. You're right I believe about the Spiders and the MGBs.

Best,

Andres

 

Thanks, Fred. I'm glad we have the same two cars. Yes, I hope also to be able to keep the Italia for a long time. It makes quite a change from the Dino, a pleasant one which makes driving the older car so refreshing in its simplicity and directness.

I wonder what the new era will be like, Caeruleus, and what it will be called. Since Fiat's shareholdings in Ferrari will be uplifted to its shareholders, perhaps it will be the Agnelli Era, who stand to be the largest eventual shareholder.

Best,

Andres

 

Here is a photo of the Dino with the Italia the day when I picked up the new car from the dealer. It is sitting in the Italia, with the front wheel arches visible, that reminds me of the Dino. The rear flanks are quite different, but they share the same fluidity of design.

Happy holidays, too, Fred, all.

Andres
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Many thanks, Pedro.

Yes, the 458 is a large car, as with almost all the new sports cars. Even the 1990s Testa Rossa, which I considered huge when it first appeared, looks small, parked next to a modern Ferrari. The same is true of the 911s; the current model is huge.

Our Dinos are exquisite in comparison.

Andres

 

The reason the concept of eras is fresh in my mind is that I gave a talk on the meaning of "vintage" and similar terms for the local sports car club, to help support the definitions it has had to adopt for historic racing, concours, and similar events.

Here is a slide I used on Sheehan's three eras; Sheehan begins the Fiat Era begins with the 308 GT4, whose manufacture commenced in 1973.
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Our own forum's definition of "vintage" draws a cut-off with a model whose manufacture ended in 1972.
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They may have changed the rules already, but Concorso Italiano defined the end of "Classic Ferraris" with our Dinos.
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Wow, Iain, three 458s! Did you consider the Speciale? And wow, an F50!

I hope to keep my Italia a long time. It will depreciate incredibly, and I figure that until I sell it that will just be a paper loss. It may take me that long, too, to understand all the controls.

I quite like Ferrari’s production line updates; they sent me this photo, with a note that “your” Ferrari is just about to be painted. At this point, as the photo is taken automatically by some robot, so the angles are the same, the car (and photo) is indistinguishable from the other cars on the line.

Andres
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Here is the 458 after painting. The color I chose, Giallo Modena with black top, is now on, so it is clearly "my" car. The caption said assembly will begin with the components I specified. Quite exciting, as it took over five months from the time I signed the order to get to this point. The whole process from start to completed car I think took less than two weeks. I wonder how that compares with our Dinos.

I was worried the car would take till next year to get to me, since I live far from Modena on this island in the Pacific, but it arrived late November and was delivered just Sunday. So it is a wonderful Christmas gift.

The Dino seems very small next to the Italia in the garage, but the 40-year difference in design is interesting.

Best wishes for the holidays,

Andres
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Octane's feature on classic 911s draws the line at 1972.
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Styles evolved dramatically as the Dino ended production. The Dino indeed marked the end of an era.
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