The first time

This old time geezer doesn't worry about the kids today. About the same number actually get their hands dirty and build things just the way we did. One of the great bonuses of being an old timer is that you remember the smog inspections. I, personally, revel in the ability to take all that junk off the car and let it breath. And let me get in there to tighten things when they need it. Jon went over the top a little but it looks fantastic.The car is a mechanic's dream. Everything has a function. No extras. It's broke, you fix it, the car runs great. Satisfying.
John

 

The first Dino I saw was a red/black 246GT. It was the spring of 1981 and the car was parked in front of what used to be the Ritz Carlton in Boston. I have a photo somewhere but can't locate it. But the best memory I have of a Dino was my first ride in the fall of 1982. My Dad was visiting a Ferrari/BMW dealer to look at a BMW. My Dad and sister were already in the dealership looking at a BMW and I was in the parking lot with my Mother looking at a 308GT4. Then a few rows over I heard an engine start on a marrone/tan 246GTS. As the man backed the car up and my Mom stopped this stranger and said, "My son loves your car, would you take him for a ride?" The man said,"I'm just going up to the Kmart plaza to help a lady who got locked out of her car." My Mom replied, "He doesn't care where you go as long as you take him for a ride." They guy said, "Sure." He opened the passenger door and I hopped in and we were off! The sound of the engine and the rush of air around us was amazing! We rounded a corner and some kids waved and gave us a thumbs up. I cherished every moment of that ride and loved listening to him row through the gears. Meanwhile, my Mother realized she had just sent her only son off in a car with a complete stranger because it was a Dino/Ferrari. She ran into the dealership and asked if anyone knew a guy with a brown Ferrari because she just begged this stranger to take her son away in his car. The salesman said, "Don't know him... just kidding he's the manager. He just traded in a 928 for that Dino." My Mother said after the car was out of sight, it dawned on her that she wasn't sure how she would explain it to the cops if I never returned (I begged a stranger to take my son in his car because it was a Ferrari). It was 9 long years before a Ferrari found its way into the family garage. Every time I see a 246 Dino it brings back wonderful memories.

Best regards,
Dino

 

Dino, if you are off by a few years (1978-79), then that was my Dino sitting in front of the Ritz in Boston...with me in it.

Jim S.

 

Hi Jim,

The earliest it would have been if I'm off by a year it would only be off by one year and it would then be 1980. It definitely was not the late 70s as I was in the 4th grade which puts it at about 1980/81. Also when I snapped the photo of the Dino there was no one in the car. It was a red/black 246GT with the standard Dino wheels and not the ones usually seen on chairs and flares cars. If I am able to locate the photo I'll post it here for you to see. That Dino was one of the 1st exotic cars I ever remember seeing (the others were a black Daytona Coupe near where the Black Pearl Restaurant is in Newport, RI and a 308GTB in the late 70's in Fanuil Hall with a large crowd around it and the owner standing next to it to guard his new beauty).

Best regards,
Dino

 

Dino - yes, unlikely that was me. I bought my first Dino in 1978 while working in Boston. Lived in Winchester at the time, but ventured into Boston frequently. Found the car in Connecticut. Cost $10,000. Turned down a GTS because it was too much money...guy wanted $16,000. Boy was he off base...asked way too much money.

Jim S.

 

I had just graduated from grad school at USC in 1971 and my wife and I had just bought our first home--Redondo Beach, CA--so we were very cash poor DINKs but we were (and still are) Car Crazy. We went to the LA Auto Expo in '72 (probably crossed paths with DinoDan as mentioned above) and were totally in awe of the Dino at the Ferrari display. Do I remember correctly, Dan, it was black? It was definitely love at first sight for both of us. We started a "Dino Fund" and saved for two years (not easy on an Air Force Major's pay while living in LA). In '74 we bought a "Sky Blue Metallic" GTS, tan naugahyde interior, #03800, $15,000, for sale by the lawyer for the Hell's Angels in Pasadena (Bill Burnett). He signed the titled over to me with an X. My wife followed me going home and on the Hollywood Freeway she watched two guys crash into each other trying to get in position to see the car. I didn't know it had happened until we got home. Two days later we had a call from the police asking about the accident! I handed the phone to my wife! What a way to start your Ferrari adventures. That car was my daily driver until we moved to Alabama in '76. Before moving I sold it for $16,500 and said to my wife, "This is a good deal . . . have a blast with a Ferrari for two years and sell it for a profit. Let's buy another with A/C when we get settled at our next assignment." Hence, #08118 is still in the garage today.

Bill