"Real" Dinos and How the World Turns

I had something funny happen that I thought would make the "real" Dino owners smile.

When I first bought my Dino 308gt/4 (#10704, a S1 car) in 1996 I would occaisonally tell people I had bought a "Ferrari" 308gt/4. This was at a time when neither 246 of GT4s got much respect, and more than once I was told by car guys, and even several Ferrari owners, that my car was not a "real" Ferrari it was a "Dino" and that I shoudl not tell people I had a "Ferrari" as that was a)not true and b) a sign that I was a poseur. Fine, within my first few months of ownership I learned to never tell people that I had a Ferrari when referring to the GT4 and to always refer to it as a "Dino". This worked well for many years.

Flash forward to 2009, and I mention to an acquaintance (who owns a SII 330 2+2) who is checking out my 400i (#049773 - which was parked on the street in mahattan at the time) that I also have a "Dino". His first question? A "real" Dino or a GT4? When I tell him it is, in fact, a GT4, he looks at me with disgust and makes it clear he thinks I am trying to "get away" with "pretending" I have a "Dino" when in fact I only have a 308gt/4. I try to redeem myself by mentioning that I also have a 365BB (#18265) but the damage is done. Oh well.

As a take away I guess I have learned that 246s are now respected and important, but GT4s are as worthless as ever. My question: **Now what kind of car do I tell people I have?** If it is not a "real Ferrari" and not a "real Dino" what is it? Or do I just let the fact I own a GT4 be my dirty little secret? Advice appreciated!

A

PS Here is the POS in question:
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Very Cool Car!

 

Means alot coming from you Jim, thank you. It is my favorite of the 4, actually and to prove it I will most likely turn 100k miles in it this year (60k+ of those miles being mine).

Alex

 

She looks really wonderful.

Bertone looks like it may be bought by the FIAT group.

 

Well, there you go - I can just tell people it is a FIAT!

Alex

 

As the owner of two 246 GTs, one purchased in 1976 and one in 1982, I've been on the receiving end of that line for years! If you recall, before the 308 series was introduced, it was contemplated that it would be called the Dino 308 GTB/GTS. Since Daytonas and GTC/4s were out of production, the Dino 308 GT/4 became a FERRARI Dino, and the 308 lost the Dino nomenclature altogether. This schizophrenic action by the Ferrari factory is proof positive that a rose is a rose is a rose. Dino, Ferrari or whatever, we all have wonderful cars. I don't care what you call them. By the way, I dare anyone to say that Jim's Dino Competizione is not a REAL Ferrari! Fred

 

What a great story. I have also been on the receiving end of the "not a real Ferrari", not that I cared, having a 246 GT for 10 years. Clearly, it is all about enjoying the car(s), not what others think you can and cannot call it. Don't worry what to call it, just keep driving the wheel off it has you appear to already be doing!

Robert

BTW, you have one outstanding looking car (whatever you call it)!

 

In my experience as a Dino owner, the corollary to the "not a real Ferrari" sentiment is the presumptuous question often posed by those who know nothing about Dinos: "What's something like this worth?" My usual response is: "It's not for sale, so its value is of no consequence to me. If you had to press me further, I'd have to say that it's priceless." With apologies to Master Card! Fred

 

Thanks for the kind words. Maybe I need to move by 400i's (#049773) plate onto the GT4.

A
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1. I LOVE GT4s.

2. I think history will be kind to them, as the design looks better with each passing year.

 

I would suggest the following plate for either the 400i or the GT4: "NOTAFIAT." Nuff said! Fred

 

Beautiful pics, and great story. I always wonder whether to call mine a ferrari or a dino.

Thanks,
Dom

 

I strongly believe that cars of this era looks the best in such natural, green background instead of tarmac/ city background. That is why th pic looks so wonderful. Beatiful taste there. Thanx w/ smiles Jimmy

 

I would be happy to relieve you of that POS burden.

I'd call it a Ferrari, 308GT4 DINO.

Or, just a Ferrari, or "just a Dino" or a 308GT4.

Or, I'd call it "mine"

Really like the GT4, growing on me every time I see one.
DM

 

Isn't the 308GT4 one of the closest Ferraris to have a 50/50 weight distribution?

 

As a former owner of a 246 Dino gt for 15 years, I can say that during the "Magnum PI" phase of 308 stardom, the little Dino was the poor stepchild to many Ferrari owners. But, I never minded. I liked it for what it was -- 6 cylinders and all.

Because of it, Gt4 owners called their cars "Ferrari's", not "Dino's". Of course, when it was eventually badged that way it became official.

Now, that being said, I never liked much the look of the Gt4. It wasn't bad looking. It was just too far removed from the shape I loved. I never cared for the folded paper look (with the exception of the Countach). Technically, the Gt4 was vastly superior of course to the 246. But I never considered Gt4's as Dino's. To me, they were always 308's.

I think a similar thing happened with the 348 from the 328. Some just didn't think it was a step forward styling-wise. It is certainly superior on many levels but it just didn't have the 308's sex appeal.

And, it's not just Ferrari. Lamborghini has had it's issues over the year of making models that seem less exciting their the cars they replaced. Each time, the better looking model has been considered more exciting to own than the technically superior replacement model.

Sorry if I hurt any Gt4 owners feelings but I think you would agree, the 246 is pretty much universally agreed to be the better looking of the two-- which explains it's popularity.

 

Funny thing about the GT4 is that it deserves more respect than it gets. Back in 85 when in Italy to buy a Boxer I had the op to drive a Euro GT4. I found the car to be very nimble with plenty of engine performance. I had a blast pushing it to it's very discernable limits. Although the 246 is considered more desirable IMHO the GT4 is a better drive for spirited stints.

By the way I own a 246 so don't shoot me..........

 

It's a Ferrari Dino (as opposed to a Fiat Dino). It's a 308, as opposed to a 206 or 246, and it's a GT4, as opposed to a GTB or GTS.

So, to be precise, you call it a Ferrari Dino 308GT4.

This should be sufficient to inform everyone exactly what it is. As for people who say you can't say it's a whatever, you can always say, "When you have one you can call it what you want."

 

love the green FERRARI 308 GT4 DINO.

FxxK those other idiots. i drive my cars, and dont give two hoots about car shows or wine and cheese parties.

 

The lawst time we had Champagne and Brie, we agreed that it's a Ferrari Dino 308GT4, not a Ferrari 308 GT4 Dino. If you attended our exclusive fetes, you would know thaht.

 

Now wait a minute what is wrong with a Fiat Dino ?

If you really want to get into real dinos, where do you put my awesome Dino ?

I have told this story before here but it bears repeating, once at a gas station a guy walked up and was admiring my Dino, he was super excited to see one, he called it half a Daytona, had to ask what he meant, he said half the cylinders but the top comes off and the motor is where it belongs unlike a 246 Dino. He thought my Fiat Dino was closer to what a Ferrari should be than the 246 GT, he agreed the 246 is a awesome car but my Dino had a Ferrariesque look to it. Put a huge smile on my face, I did not have the heart to explain to him that at the end of the day its still only a Fiat.

If you really want to get confused where you car sits in the evolutionary ladder of Ferrari's vs. Dino's, lets trade your GT4 for my Dino, then you will really be confused what to call your car Me ??? I just say Dino with a huge smile.

 

He11, yeah, you say Dino with a huge smile! I would, too.

There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with a Fiat Dino; in fact, I'd love to have one. I do have a 308GTB, but if the opportunity comes up, I'd love nothing more than to acquire a Dino convertible like yours.

But I wouldn't ever refer to her as "just a Fiat," especially where she can hear me. The engine is pure Ferrari, and that's where it counts.

Please see a photo of MY Dino at http://s280.photobucket.com/albums/kk185/racedriver308/?action=view&current=DSCN2208.jpg

 

+1. I do not think anyone needs to defend (vice versa, hurt someone else's pride) what one appreciates. Aren't most of such negative comments based on first impressions and virtually no knowledge of the cars ? w/ smiles Jimmy PS. Few months ago, I was on the verge of buying a beatiful, yellow Dino spyder which was for sale near San Diego.

 

I love Fiat Dino spiders! I was looking at a red one a couple of years ago also.

 

I have a reverse problem. People tell me they like my Ferrari, I have to explain that it is a Maserati Merak SS. Well with an approx. total of 250 copies brought into the US, I guess I can see why?

Ciao,
George