Anybody have a picture of a Dino without the bumpers? How does it look?
Dinos without bumpers look kind of unbalanced. Particularly in the rear, the car just looks somehow wrong. While you would think that the design would look more pure, in fact, something is definitely missing. Unlike any later Ferrari, starting with the 308 series, where removing the bumpers leaves a gaping aperture, bumpers can be removed from the Dino with only the bumper tubes to mar the body. However, in my opinion, it just doesn't look quite right. This is only my opinion, but I believe that Freeman Thomas, a fellow Dino owner and F-Chatter, agreed with me in a post on the subject last year. Try it on your own Dino, and be your own judge. I once had the bumpers off one of my Dinos, while they were being rechromed, and while the car may have looked a bit more purposeful or aggressive, I was very happy to have them reinstalled. They've never been off since! Fred
I agree that the bumpers really finish the car. Nevertheless the OP asked for a photo so here is one: Image Unavailable, Please Login
I don't know. . . I think that the front end looks all right without them, at least in that picture. In the end, I'm still a stickler for originality, though.
I think it looks amazing at least in the pic Rob posted, wow! The rims and lowered suspension all help but man is that a hot looking car.
'few shots posted by db6 on 10-09-2010, taken at an informal Dino gathering in SoCal. There were pics of other 'bumperless' Dinos posted from an event in Germany, but I can't find 'em. Matthias or Nicolai will likely help us out. Coop Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I saw the ex-Stephen Stills Dino without bumpers years ago without bumpers and it looked great. I think it was about 10 years ago and was 00502
Truth. The more I look at these photos, the more I like the front end without the bumpers. At the back, it's okay. . . but looks kind of naked. Aesthetically, I can't issue any objections to removing the bumpers. As a purist, however. . .
I am glad to hear that you see it that way too, Fred. When I first saw this car being worked on in a garage, I was immediately taken by its beauty. I remembered your criticism about the rear end of a Dino without bumpers, and I took this photo of the rear end of the car. Yes, you are right, the tail lights are a bit too small, and they are not centered vertically on the rear panel, once the bumper is removed. But to me, those are just minor irritations, more than compensated for by the unobstructed view of the shapely rear end of the Dino. That slightly recessed and angled rear panel is a work of art in itself, in my opinion. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Lars, I've always thought that the tail panel of a Dino (particularly without the bumpers installed) resembles the transom of a boat. That being said, the Dino body would look equally good floating down a river or plying the skies. On the several occasions (none recently, thankfully!) when my Dinos have been flatbedded, as they were winched onto the beds at a 45-degree angle, I have been reminded of the look of a surface-to-air missile. The Dino body is a time capsule which will never look obsolete, in my estimation. Thanks again, Lars, for all the wonderful shots of the GF GT! Fred
First off, nothing against taking off your bumpers! It's a personal choice. I just wanted to give you my aesthetic perspective. Why does a Dino look better with bumpers? 1)A Dino looks complete and perfect with them. 2)It visually accentuates the water line with an accent. It helps to take your eyes on a visual journey around the car(That's why you can't take your eyes off a Dino!). 3) The original Dino designer, Aldo Bravarone was/is a master and this was one of his masterpieces(Don't mess with perfect!). The bumpers create the sense of delicacy and lightness, part of the Dino's mojo. Correct for the period. A Dino's design and details are timeless. 4)Last, Unlike many other cars, a Dino doesn't translate well into a racecar nor was it a successful real racecar. Like a Lusso, it is a "Grantourismo"! I'm with Danny Wilde. Bumpers look better on a Dino!!!! Freeman P.S. I do like the wheels on the 206 however!
I would not remove the bumpers on my car, but must say the unadorned Dinos on this page look very, very good. They have to me strong visual connections to the coetition Ferraris, like the 275LM. Very '60s Ferrari. Andres
Great post Freeman. I think removing the bumpers is THE first step to hot-rod a dino. Look at post #6, more vents, lowered, wheels and no bumpers. A more edgy, racer look. With the bumper mounting holes filled in, it looks good. If holes were still there then I would feel differently, like the bumpers were missing. Andrew
whenever my dino gets done..it will be sans bumpers (no holes), with plexi covers, with lynnx carb cleaners (like OMGJONS),with daytona seats ...still not 100% sure of the color yet...it seems like I will have a lot of time to ponder this as its a looooong way before it gets finished!!
Hi Champ, RI on the 29th through the 4th. Let me know. Regards, Alberto Image Unavailable, Please Login
