Good Companion Cars for the Dino

That’s a perfect specification for a Seven. And it is a Lotus. In theory, one could drive sa23 on the street, but that is not really true, except perhaps on a deserted, smooth mountain road. The Seven, on the other hand, allows much more freedom. It’s a wonderful car, a perfect companion to the Dino.

Andres

 

Lars, you learn a lot more about a car once you own it vs looking at them online. I sort of fell into this one! I love that it’s totally analog! It’s the essence of motoring!

Freeman

 

It must be in our DNA.
Having raced a S2 Super 7 before getting the 246 Dino I longed for a road 7 so bought the last of the S3, carb, gullwing cars, a Caterham HPC Evo 235. 235 HP in 500Kg. Where the Dino is refined the 7 is .... outlandish.

 

Yes, I think the difference between a Lotus and the Dino is what makes Lotuses such good companion cars to the Dino. Yet, they have some similarities. I think the Dino was the first Ferrari with rack-and-pinion steering? It was also small and light, had disc brakes all around, and fully independent suspension. But it was built to a different philosophy.

I've had my Elan since 1977. Here it is, photographed from behind the garage. We have large windows that open to a small pond, so the Lotus fits right in with the water lilies and the horse-tail reeds.

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This was yesterday. I had to pause as I saw my 911 and Dino together. Completely different characters. Both are 1972.

Freeman
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I have the same Ferrari Badge on the trunk lid - mine seems to have been there for quite a while

Curious to know (and I am not trying to incite a riot - and I have read the threads about badging on Dinos)

but...

Do you think there is a chance that a North American Dealer put that badge on your '72

 

Being the original owner of 04124, the badge pictured was on the car when purchased in Miami.
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My Dino is Italian spec and was first sold in 1972 by the Ferrari dealer “Motor” in Bologna. I’ve seen a photo of a 206GT photographed at the same dealer in 1968 with the same badge mounted in the same location. I can imagine it was a popular dealer option.

Freeman

 

Dino and 911 - perfect companions.

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Freeman,
Your beautiful side-by-side comparison photo recalls contemporary road tests when both cars were new (May, 1974 R&T comes to mind), as well as many comparison road tests in UK "classic" car magazines (of which I have a number). A beautiful "Whitman's Sampler" of '70s European exotic machinery. Forza Dino! Regards,
Fred

 

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At some point soon I’d love to drive both cars back to back in the canyons and backroads and compare. Emotionally they’re so different yet they relate to each other. Here’s some shots from yesterday at 5AM on my way to Luftgekühlt 5. What an amazing event to celebrate Porsche air-cooled! Even saw Tom Shaughnessy and Rob Calisi there!

Freeman

 

Your 911T looks stunning. Are you running H1 headlamps?

 

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I’m running H4’s. Plenty bright!

Freeman

 

Of course, many sports cars make good companions for our Dino’s. But from my (biased) perspective, I think the most historically relevant would be as follows:

FIAT DINO: Naturally.

PORSCHE 911, pre-1973: Because the Dino was aimed at it, because they are both sixes, and because they are so different in concept, design, and execution.

LANCIA STRATOS: Because it shares the 246’s engine and drivetrain and is mid-engined too, but yet is so different. The “”Super Dino,” the Dino on steroids.

458 ITALIA: Because it is ultimately an evolution of the Dino, shares the same lines, is naturally aspirated, still caries the Pininfarina’s badge, but is digital where he Dino is analog. The Dino after four decades of development.


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Perhaps that explains why I have this strange attraction to the 458 Italia and feel one needs to be in my garage...

 

All great icons. For me, what creates a great companion car to the Dino is a contrast in how it emotionally affects you emotionally, visually and in its driving experience. I love cars where the core is a powerful philosophy. It’s these contrasting philosophies that make it interesting. An example is the contrast between a 2CV, a Beetle, a Fiat 500 and a Mini. All designed to solve the same problem but with completely different solutions and philosophies. They also reflect their human cultures. All powerful. A Dino vs a 911 vs an XKE vs an A110 reflects this.

Many cars we fall in love with the moment we experience them, others, it’s just not a connection. For me, I love polarizing experiences. The more eclectic, the more I like it. Much like people.

Freeman

 

Freeman, that is so true. Cars can't help but be shaped by the cultures of the countries of their manufacture. The contrast between the cars of Germany, France, Italy, etc. is the spice of the automotive experience. As you have said, the same is true of people, in their infinite variety. Vive la difference! Fred

 

You said that very well, Freeman.

Andres

 

so i just got my DINO a friend

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not the tandem bike

but the 1971 911S Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

i just got insane about this car

it was on Bring a Trailer

and I bid to the end but it didn't hit reserve

but the car was in Los Angeles

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It is fast ...

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I am having a car buying problem