What's wrong with this picture?

This is a topic that, much like the conspiracy theory behind the assassination of John F. Kennedy, will never be put to rest. Technically, the Dino was not, and is not, a "Ferrari." It is well known that the Ferrari factory now recognizes the Dino as a Ferrari product, whether or not it is badged as such. On U.S. Dinos, there is a federally-mandated door jamb certification which states that they were "manufactured by Ferrari." All U.S. Dinos carry an engine compartment label that states: "Ferrari. Il motore contiene Shell Super motor oil" (language may not be exact). I don't understand the fuss behind the badges, etc. I don't have Ferrari script on either of my Dinos, but I did install cavallini on their tail panels. This reminds me a bit of the pre-war LaSalle, which was "manufactured by Cadillac" and sold by Cadillac dealers, though not technically a Cadillac, and certainly not badged as such. IT was intended to bring a lower-priced "Cadillac" to market, and it helped save Cadillac in the depths of the Depression, much as the Dino helped Ferrari through tough economic times. It is beyond dispute that the Dino was built by Enzo Ferrari to commemorate his deceased son, whom he loved and missed very much. Shouldn't that be enough to stop all of this talk, which would be more appropriate in a probate court in a fight among putative heirs to a large fortune? I didn't buy my Dinos to impress anyone, and I believe that they have a dual pedigree: they are Dinos, and they were made by Ferrari. As for the FIAT parts: who cares? The engines were assembled by Ferrari workmen, in the Ferrari factory. Perhaps I am a blasphemist, but I'm okay with people calling a Dino a Ferrari Dino if they so choose. Whatever it's called, it's my all-time favorite automobile! Fred

 

i just removed all my bloody ferrari badges last week! what a relief...

and i got my first 'is that a kit car?' yesterday..

the geezer before me had TWO ferrari badges on the back, ferrari mats, and a ferrari fire extinguisher!

 

Very good summary. I would have also mentioned the first official Dino brochure, which stated that the Dino was "nearly a Ferrari".

 

I believe it actually was "Almost a Ferrari"

 

The Dino is definitely a Ferrari, and not because it was built in Maranello, as were the 2.4 liter Fiat Dinos. Those are not Ferraris, but I have seen them with multiple Ferrari badges, as well. There were none on my Fiat Dino 2400 GT or my Dino 246 GT, but nothing wrong with an owner doing whatever they want that makes them happy.

In the UK, Maranello Concessionaires fit Ferrari script to most of the Dino 246s they imported and also put those silly bumper bars on most of their Dino 246s and Daytonas. I could stand the Ferrari script way more than the bumper bars, which, for some reason, drive me crazy. Especially since most showed rust around the mounting points.

As an official old fart, though, I have to say I think shields look out of place on a Dino, which needs no decoration.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

True. I was remembering the original Italian word "cuasi", which can be translated both as "nearly" and as "almost".

 

First thing I thought of when I saw the picture was the biggest thing wrong with it is that it's not parked in front of MY house.

then I took note of the shields.

DM

 

As an official old fart, though, I have to say I think shields look out of place on a Dino, which needs no decoration.

Taz
Terry Phillips[/QUOTE]

Taz, I don't even like the look of the built-in shields on the newer cars, starting with the F355 series, I believe. I also couldn't agree more about the bumper bars. In 1989, Miller Motorcars had a restored 246 GTS in their showroom, for which they were asking $225K. The bumper bars had been removed, leaving mounting holes in the front bumper blades--and there was some rust around the holes, if I remember correctly. Not only are those bars ugly, they're worse than useless. Fred

 

I am with you Fred. I removed the bars on my Dino and now I have two ugly and soon to be rusting holes... On the other hand, perhaps they could be practical for the temporary addition of side lights for night rallies.

 

Julio, Related to the Ferrari "jewelry" issue with Dinos, I think that the shields (sold by the factory with a high profit margin, I'm sure!) go a wee bit too far with the branding iron. I much prefer them on a 250 GTO! By the way, I've long admired the pictures of your Dino. What a great color! Cheers, Fred

 

Thank you Fred. The actual color I believe is blu dino and that's how I purchased it. The original was blu sera. I have long thought of going back to blu sera, but blu dino is just too nice...

 

One of my Dinos is Blu Sera, but I wouldn't change from your color either! Just beautiful! Fred

 

I removed the Ferrari script from the rear of my car, but as for the "worse than useless"
badge bar i left it on so as not to have unsightly holes.....But it would give a bit of protection to the extremely vunerable nose in a small shunt, ie some **** reversing into it.
so as for worse than useless, I don't really agree with.
GP
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Taz, I don't even like the look of the built-in shields on the newer cars, starting with the F355 series, I believe. I also couldn't agree more about the bumper bars. In 1989, Miller Motorcars had a restored 246 GTS in their showroom, for which they were asking $225K. The bumper bars had been removed, leaving mounting holes in the front bumper blades--and there was some rust around the holes, if I remember correctly. Not only are those bars ugly, they're worse than useless. Fred[/QUOTE]

Strangely enough, in line with the Dino Registry records, of that time and price, that may have been my old Dino 04560, which I purchased new in Miami Fl, and never had bumber bars.

 

Well I'm guilty on all counts

The car is from the UK. Ferrari on the back and bumper bar on the front.
Now the history of the shields and the tricolore on rear fenders and the Milan tee shirt is another story. you'r interested? How nice! OK then I'll tell you..............

This was the year that during a footbal match, being played in Belgium, a bunch of English football hooligans pushed into a crowd of Italian supporters and forced them against a wall, which collapsed; quite a few were killed!

At this time, I was in Italy. The news broke over the car radio and within a short time, my "English car" and its occupant were being eyed in a most unfriendly way. So I went into the nearest store and bought the tricolore badges to put on the rear of the car, this was not enough, passing the Ferrari dealer in Milan I saw the shields and stuck them on!
The shields did the trick.

If you can imagine, a RHD Dino driver is very low against any LHD car and very close! The opposition can look intimidating. Many a window was wound down and the question repeatedly asked was. "Sei Italiano" (are you Italian). Almost to a man they were admiring the shields whilst talking. I thought they were more interested in my shields than me....wait that's what my girlfriend complained about, anyway I digress.

The shields, saved my butt on that trip. So I like them.The tricolore have long since gone.
Someone backed into the bumper bar and pushed it into the nose of the car, so a radio antenna filled the hole on one side, the other side a chrome bolt and rubber grommet.

I lost the right side bumper in the US on a highway, saw it fall behind me and in the mirror watched as 9, of the 18 wheelers wheels, danced on it. It was flat and twisted and I left it where it was. I still have the other one with the antenna in it!
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Where was it taken?
'enjoyed the "There I was..." tales. More, please?
Coop

 

Judging from experience, this will of course not put an end to the discussion, but well said, and I agree completely, Fred.

Andy

 

French Alps, on route to Grenoble. Nice place!
There is a lot more to tell, another thread perhaps.

 

In Italian classic car magazines, in the section of car values, "Dino" is a category by itself.
As a factory brochure reads: "Minuscule, zippy, safe. Summarizes the constant evolution of Ferrari manufacture in small series."
It may have been manufactured by anyone you care to, even by Ferrari, with FIAT clearly visible, but the brand is "Dino". Period.
So, no Horses, no Ferrari logos, nothing, zip, nada. Regards, Alberto

 

Isn't there any differentiation between the Ferrari Dino and the Fiat Dino?

 

Good question.

The Fiat Dino was part of the Fiat line, and was branded and sold as such: A sporty Fiat with a Dino engine, listed under Fiat.

The Ferrari Dino technically does not exist. Italian, French, and Spanish classic car magazines still list Dino prices under the brand Dino, not Ferrari. No Dino ever left the factory with Ferrari insignia. There was never any promotional material which mentioned a "Ferrari Dino". Enzo Ferrari demanded that Dinos never be branded as Ferraris.

So in fact, we have the Dino on one hand, and the Fiat Dino on the other. That's how you were supposed to differentiate them.

I am only refering to the branding at the time. This has no bearing on the eternal debate "Is the Dino a Ferrari". My personal view is that it's not: It's better!

 

The recurring issue in the Fiat chat page is whether the Fiat Dino is a Fiat. Just kidding.