Why are Dinos worth 5 to 10 times a 308?

How many Dinos were made vs 308s? That's probably the answer.

 

That's what I think, the less the production the more it cost.

 

Ferrari didn't make 12,000 plus Dino's. That's pretty much it. Supply and demand.

 

That and they were the progenitors of the mid engine road going cars we all love... Come on, aren't your Grandparents priceless!!??

Rick

 

It's actually the fact that the Dino is a marvelous driving experience, the ties to the P4 and 206SP styling doesn't hurt either.

The 3x8 series all gets lumped together in the Public's mind as "thousands made, not rare" although to the cognescenti both the first year 'glass and the early steel NON CAT cars are highly sought after.

 

ive always asked myself the same question,,the 308 and 328 are .,in my opinion, are,better cars....but like the other people said,,seems to come down to numbers produced,,,kind of like all those other several hundred thousand // million dollar F Cars...there just were not that many made,,,that Dino..does have nice character to it,,,and it looks really good,,i always say,,that if it was affordable,,,it would be a cool car to have,,the design is probably the best ever,,and is timeless ..just like the 308 / 328 series...

 

And to think articles in the 70s called the Dino too 'swoopy and curvy'.

 

At some point, the market may wake up and realize it's not about how many were produced, but how many are left.

And of the ones left, how many are "whole" - uncut, original, tools, etc.

 

308s/328s are beautiful, but Dinos are beyond description. Rarity and a sculptural masterpiece rolled into one. I remember begging my father to buy one for $30K!

 

Having owned both, the answer is: They aren't.

Ok Dino people.... time to beat me up. But, the Dino isn't that great a car. It wasn't then and it isn't now.

The biggest difference is that the 308 looks dated (sorry 308 owners) now with it's black grills, black bumpers, pop up headlights, and sharper angles of that late 70's, early 80's trend.

The Dino has more in common with today's car "fashion". The 458 has more in common with the Dino than the 308, yet the 308 is a squared off hardened Dino.

And, there is a perception of the "change" at Ferrari. The 308 is pretty much acknowledged to be "modern" and the Dino is the last of the "classic" periods. Modern meaning rubber instead of chrome, safety regulations, emissions regulations, along with mass production processes.

They also made more 308 but I really don't think that's a big factor. If it were that, the Dino would be worth twice a similar 308. They made about half as many.

It's worth more, but not 5 times more. It's worth more because it's from the chrome era, was in a smaller production run, and harder to find a good one. But, it's not worth the money they are getting for them now if you're just look at what you're getting for your money.

Personally, I think it's great Dino owners finally got their day in the sun (heaven knows it wasn't that way in the 80's and most of the 90's). But, I'd never buy another at the prices that are currently being asked for.

 

I don't think that's correct. My understanding is it's closer to 6900 with about half being GTS's, most in the last 2 years of production.

I could be wrong but that's my recollection.

 

That, and 250K is not a price they will ever sell the 246 for. The going rate seems to be half of that

 

How about that other Dino?? 2678 made, only.... Enzo himself tinkering with it. Suspension set up by Nikki Lauda.

Not really swoopy, no...

 

Production numbers - while having SOME effect - are NOT the whole story IMHO. I posted in the General Ferrari Discussion section the production numbers for the "mid year" Corvettes (1963 - 1967). They built over 117,000 units, and even a SBC coupe will run you $40-50K. So much for exclusivity driving price.

It has much more to do with desirability. There was a time when Dinos weren't en vogue, and they didn't run $200K+ FWIW.

My feeling is it's just a matter of time for the 308. May never be valued like a Dino (and that's where exclusivity plays a role), but they'll be coveted much more than they are now.

 

I think these production numbers are close:

206 GT - 152
246 GT - 2,487
246 TS - 1,274
308 GT4 - 2,826 (from 1973 through May 1976 these were badged as Dinos, afterwards as Ferraris)
208 GT4 - Not sure

I think the 246 has a nice shape, and bdelp I understand your points about the shape being closer to modern auto design than the angular 308 GTB/S, but the 512 has the same lines as the 308 and neither looks dated (to me) - they both look "dramatic". I find most modern cars all look the same with the rounded jelly bean shape that the 246 also shares to an extent, especially at the front.

These cars weren't even Ferraris, let alone serious performers, so I don't get the price premium. To me, they were more of a proof-of-concept that lead the 308.

I do think the GT4 is bad a$$ and I'd take one with either the Dino or Ferrari badge any day.

 

Meh, swoopy's overated.

 

+1 on supply and demand equation.

Supply: much more 3x8 made compare to 206/246

Demand: Baby boomer population (likely buyers of 2x6) is higher than next generation i.e. Gen X (likely buyers of 3x8). Also, baby boomer demographic likely is within peak earning/disposable income years while Gen X has yet to reach it. Also, some (mostly baby boomers i.e. Keith Martin?) say that the Dino is part of the golden age in automotive history while the 3x8 isn't.

In the future, I can see the 3x8 prices going up both from inflation and demand increase, but not to the level of the Dino. If I have to guess, it would be 50% of Dino price increase.

One bogey: There's a chance that international demand (in new markets) for 3x8 may increase dramatically, but I doubt it. Newly minted can-affords especially in China prefer new to old.

 

I agree with a lot of bdelp's sentiments on the underlying reasons for the Dino desirability. A huge reason is that the Dino, although in its time was considered high production for Ferrari, it never gained the stigma of being a Fiat driven venture like the 308. [not withstanding the story of the Fiat connection for the motor to get homolgation]

The Dino is really the end of the "vintage" and what is represented to be Enzo's iron fist over the company. This is also why the Daytona, C4 and 365 Gt4 are held as part of that ending "vintage". Part of the vintage perception is the lack of compromising for creature comforts, ergonomics, electronics, etc. The vintage cars are ascribed a trait of embodying a single vision in their creation. The manufacturing techniques were still more hand built than the later mass production techniques. Likely that the original 308 GTB was in fiberglass as part of a more productionized solution ultimately helps the idea of separation of eras too.

In its day the Dino was regarding as a really sweet handling car with superb balance. It also makes the end of the soft form body styling. The 308 GTB really made a major direction change in aesthetic approach.

The 308 GTB is an iconic design in its own right. [Pininfarina selected it as part of an exhibit of their significant designs over the years] It also evolved more over it production run but it had to contend with more government regulations that defined aesthetic and engineering solutions than had existed in the 246 days. The Dino also does not suffer the Magnum PI stigma. The stigma certainly made Ferrari lots of money but it was a rather brazenly commercial exploitation.

It is true that even in its day the Dino was argued over how Ferrari it was. By the time its production ended it was time for a replacement as time had marched forward. At the introduction of the 308 GTB the Dino became immediately hugely dated. Dinos went through a decline of desireability. Never to the lows that the 250 Pf coupes, 250 GTEs and 330 GTs achieved but substantial reduction nonetheless. There was always a loyal fan base for the Dinos though.

I am quite happy to have a 308 but if the ability to do a deal for a 206 GT (the original ven more uncompromised 246) came along I would be all over it.

Jeff

 

Well said. Production numbers are not the aggravating factor.

 

I distinctly remember back in the late 70's and 80's that Dino - 246 were anywhere from $15K to about $30K. then by 88 - 90, they shot up to $100K plus cars after Mr. Ferrari died. they then fell dramatically from the $100K heights to around $65K - $80... at that time there was the realization that the late 80's restorations of many cars were totally bogus, and the cars were not well done. so that again then took a huge chunk out of values.

however I beleive that today you have many more well presented cars out there, that demand higher prices. At. $200K I dont think this car is anywhere close to market... they are dreaming!

If it was a 206, in the right color with solid provenance, maybe, but doubt it.

I think its just a matter of time. 308's and 328's WILL appreciate over time - 10-15 years I would expect them to be $75 - $100K for low mileage original cars... the biggest problem today is the cost of a full restoration is way more than the value. so you either end up with a bodged job done to a price, or an owner who is capable doing it on their own.

I think now is the time to buy... and really if you look at it the 308 - 328 series has really been fairly stable... from $25K to $60K.

 

What he said.

It also applies somewhat to the Daytona/Boxer divide. The wedge design language so far hasn't proved to be as timeless as the curvaceous stuff that came before it.

Well put.

The remarkable thing about the 308 design is that it looks good in spite of all the regulatory and disco-era things that were done to it: rubber battering ram bumpers, blacked out fender louvres, pop-up headlamps, exhaust 'diaper', chrome tipped quarter window louvres, etc.

 

Fingers crossed!

 

I think it's a joke that the Dinos are far more expensive than a carbed 512...or even, to a lesser degree, a 365BB! C'mon! They only made what? 367(?) 365 BBs? That's a flat TWELVE engine in a car that they made FAR less of. It is way faster, sounds better, looks just as good if not better (this is, of course, subjective) and, in short, simply has a better Ferrari pedigree. I love Dinos; they are gorgeous cars, but they are grossly overpriced in my book, especially as compared to what one can purchase for far less, as outlined below.