BUMPERLESS DINOS: YES OR NO?

Afraid I'm more or less a purist.

Making changes that modernize the mechanical function of the vehicle, while leaving the exterior alone are fine.

But, rip off the bumpers, fill in the holes? Nah. It's not like they are giant mid 70's rubber bumpers, after all.

DM

 

Although not neccesarily a purist, I think the elegant chrome bumpers are part of the 60's/70's charm the Dino exudes; they are integral to the whole design, look and effect of the car, imho.
In a racing car, all requirements are off.

 

I don't really advocate the 'bumpers off' position, but you can more cleary see the 246's distinct heritage from the 206SP when the bumpers are off!

 

totally agree, it's amazing how much those little bumpers change the look, and I love those old racing dinos

 

I prefer cars kept the same way they left the factory

 

I agree with dm n stuff and others. Leave it original! A hidden mechanical or electrical change to improve the performance or safety over the stock is one thing, but removing the bumpers would create a bizarre look (to me) at best. Saleability would likely decrease as much as if you painted the car white. Besides, the bumpers add so much to crash safety (ha).

 

Do others think that the Dino bumpers lend a visual hint to 275/330 lineage?

 

I admit that when I first saw the black beauty from down under, that I considered taking the bumpers off my Dino, but I'm in love with the way my car looks now, I can't speak for later. The bumperless look is truely beautiful. I feel it is soley up to the owner. Whatever gives one the greatest joy, Ferrari's (especially Dino's ) were ment to be experienced and enjoyed. I'm sure that if Sergio Pinin Farina had a choice the car would have been produced sans bumpers. The racing Dino bodies were modified constantly, and many Ferrari's had custom body work done to the liking of the owner. Lose them if you like, maybe it will be the start of something. Would love to see a bumperless Dino at Cavallino.

Zannos

 

personally, every dino without bumpers that i have seen has looked odd to me.

until seeing that black dino with the large wheels. for reasons i can't explain, it looks really good.

now i am not going to go and take the bumpers off my car, but wouldn't hesitate to own a car like that black one.

 

Just for the fun of it, I copied the pic of the black Dino, put it on an editing program and measured the wheelbase at 339 pixels, wheel dia. at 62 pixels. Then went out to my Dino and measured wheelbase at 92". Do the math and 17" is about right. I have 16" wheels on mine and the visual effect is similar. I run 205/55 VR 16 in front on 8" width and 225/50 VR 16 on rear on 8.5" width.

Handling is marvelous. Need more power to do it justice. I looked at my car just after painting and it looks georgeous without bumpers; but there IS the law. Nowadays there is no problem molding the front and rear ends so it only costs $3-$4 grand to bump into someone. Progress? Maybe! Fool lady backed into me in a parking lot and ran up onto the hood. Never touched the bumpers. Said she couldn't see me. Too small! Her insurance co. wished she hadn't done it.

Yes, Ferrari should re-do the Dino package with new technoloy. 250 hp, wide tires, fuel injection. Do Not Touch The Layout! Exterior, interior, steering or suspension! If a Spyder, do not close the sail panels. Visibility in GT is superb. Keep it when the roof is gone. $70-$99 grand would be a good price.

What do you think?

John

 

As long as I copied it, here is a cropped version of the Black Dino we are talking about.

John
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Sorry guys, without bumpers looks like a model without eyebrows....still beautifull but lacking something

 

To me, looking at John's cropped photo (THANK YOU John!!), the Dino looks sort of "scrunched." I'll bet it looks pretty good from the front and the rear, but the side profile -- I'm not sure exactly what I don't quite like about it....

Mark

 

Same angle, same size, pretty close.
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I'm going to have to disagree - I look at that pic with those wheels and no bumpers and I hear angels singing!!!!

 

Sorry Ryan but Johns car looks the Biz, John are those early split rim gottis?

 

Without bumpers that black one takes on the basic shape of a Vette, not the normal impression Ferrari owners are trying to state.

 

That black dino is so beautiful. Are there high res pics anywhere? More cars without bumpers maybe?

I don't think it looks like a Vette or a model without eyebrows. I think it looks perfect!

 

Then that's the car you should get.

 

Yes. Cast center, spun inner and outer wheel halves. 2mm spacer between wheel halves. All aluminum. V shaped rubber gasket locks on OD of spacer. 3mm thick cone washers under screw heads. 5mm Allen cap screws and stopnuts. Leaks unless you take them apart, clean everything and put back together with red silicone sealant. Light and strong. 4" offset front and rear.

John

 

i agree!

 

I never thought I'd say it but that black Dino looks stunning!
The high gloss really compliments the lines of the Dino

 

Nice to see a topic about a car I photographed!

I've seen the car a few times on the road since those pics and am left drooling each time - looks sensational IMO!

yep, on my website: www.ozcarsightings.com

the Dino is here: http://ozcarsightings.com/ferrariothers.html

Unfortunately those pics were taken with my old camera and without a pol. filter - would be nice to see it parked again for some new pics.

 

Look at the black Dino's image and you might notice the tight depth of field with the focus centered in front of the car towards the cameraperson. It falls off right behind the Dino and the silver vehicle behind it is out of focus causing the Black Dino to stand out. Nice job.

In contrast, the photo of the Blue Dino has oodles of focus with nearly everything in the frame in focus.