A Forty-Year Friendship

congrats on a spectacular car !

would have loved to get a Dino after watching "The persuaders" as a kid in the 70ties
but my Dino story goes more or less like this:

1996: had the money for a Dino but bought a Porsche 964
2002: had the money for a Dino but always wanted a 308 (which I bought)
2008: had the money for a Dino but hesitated because prices had doubled
2016: have no longer the money for a Dino because prices doubled again ...

life is a bummer ...

only thing that cures my pain is having fun in my 964 and my 308

 

That is a wonderful achievement to have had that car for 40 years AFTER wanting one for 10 years. I will reach that milestone in 2043 when I have had my 308 for 40 years!

 

Congratulations, Fred. That is such wonderful account. In a world where the Ferrari owner on the average keeps his car just 15 months and then moves on, your story is refreshing. May you both enjoy many more years together.

Andres

 

Great story, hope to follow it myself ....think positive, it could be another 40, don't sell yourself short just yet.

 

You are truly blessed to be able to enjoy a Dino for 40 years plus. Enjoy.

 

Fred- As you know- I share your joy of owning a Dino for over 40 years. Enjoy my friend.

 

Hi Fred, I have not been on the forum in a long while. Great to see your Dino. Looks like you sold your other one? I liked that one as well! Can you tell me when this years Sports Car Festival will be held?

 

Fred, we're the same age, as you know. 40 years ago (39 actually) I had to scrimp on lunches to buy my dream car then - a 1969 Lotus Elan for $3,000. You were a very lucky young man! And with quite astute taste to boot!

Andres

 

Gorgeous car one of my all-time favorites. In 1973 I almost got one but I was just too big to be able to drive it comfortably. Easy to see why she has kept your interest all this time.

 

A truly incredible story and wonderful to read. Thank you for sharing

 

I’ve known Fred since the mid 70’s and I can truly vouch for his enthusiasm regarding his Dino. Few people give a car the care and careful attention that his blue gem gets.
I’ve had the good fortune to be able to help him out with a few mechanical issues and the car is one of the best if not the best Dino I’ve ever worked on.
We are quite close in terms of ownership years. I’ve had my GTC since November 8, 1975. Purchased from FAF Motorcars (Now Ferrari of Atlanta), it was the first twelve-cylinder car they sold – I’m the second owner. I’ve put on well over 140,000 miles on it – possibly the highest mileage GTC in existence.
There was a time when Rochester had more Ferraris than any city in New York State (Except NYC) and I believe Fred may be the last holdout to own a vintage car!
I’m sure he’ll continue to enjoy it for a very long time.
Bob Z.

 

Many thanks for reminding me. I don't have the papers with me right now, but it was in the middle of May 1976 when I bought my Dino (01458) from the dealer in Rome. It was a low mileage car that the first owner had just traded in for a 308 GT4. I can't believe it has been 40 years. Am I that old now, or was I that young then? It will be my cherished 246 until the day I die.

I always wonder if the first owner, Ivan Russino, is still with us and if he would be surprised to know the car is in transit from California to Nevada.

 

Fred, I'm pretty sure I remember meeting you at Watkins Glen in 1984, when I first got my black Dino. I still have my car too.

Long term owners, like us, have gone through multiple phases of life with our cars - from night clubbing, driving home from the wedding (dress crammed in the trunk), taking babies for rides so they finally go the f*** to sleep, to running car rallies with the kids when they learn to read, to being told to not drive them to school because the car is too fancy and ending up where we started: with a nice car to go for a drive on a sunny day.

Congratulations! A long term Dino is a sign of a life well lived.

 

Originally Posted by jag312
Many thanks for reminding me. I don't have the papers with me right now, but it was in the middle of May 1976 when I bought my Dino (01458) from the dealer in Rome. It was a low mileage car that the first owner had just traded in for a 308 GT4. I can't believe it has been 40 years. Am I that old now, or was I that young then? It will be my cherished 246 until the day I die.

I always wonder if the first owner, Ivan Russino, is still with us and if he would be surprised to know the car is in transit from California to Nevada.

Thatt's nothing. I bought my first car in September 1968. It is my 1954 Jaguar XK120 OTS. I still have it. That is coming up to 48 years. There are some things that become part of our lives that stay with us, until death us do part.