Ferrari Dino's

[911skb]

I've always like the look of these, but have never riden in or drove one. I'll probably never be able to afford one, but was curious if anyone here has had experiences with them.

How they drive compared to various 911 years?
How expensive to maintain?

There's a nice looking silver one on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Restored-Sorted-1973-246-GTS-Dino_W0QQitemZ200079499939QQihZ010QQcategoryZ6212Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[nostatic]

I read in a magazine that you can buy them for $25K...

[Steve Carlton]

They're supposed to be an extremely fun car to drive. I'd be concerned about the cost to make one right; I could see it being significant compared to the value of the car. I think there's an analogy to the 914 and 924 not really being a "Porsche" towards that car in Ferrari circles, with it being a V6.

[tabs]

EXPENSIVE TO MAINTAIN, HARD TO FIND PARTS, RUST PRONE. Other than that one of the most BEAUTIFUL cars ever made. Early 911Ss were almost their equal, but not quiet.

A better bet would be a Front engined V12 like a 330 GTC.

[kach22i]

I'd settle for a kit car of the two on the left.

http://fiatdino.free.fr/dino.htm

[911skb]

Easy Todd. I'm gonna have to call a moderator in to remove your comments.

[Paul K]

I read a comparison in 911 & PW. I'll see if I can find the issue...

Edit: It was the November 2005 issue of Total 911 magazine. 911 2.4S Vs. Dino 246GT. PM me and I'll mail it to you.

Cheers,

Paul.

[Milu]

My father had one.
The body was made of refridgerator metal and lead to make it fit - a joke if you saw what was under the paint. everything you ever heard about Italian cars (body and electrics especially) happened on this one. It might have beaten a 911 on paper but a 2.4s or a 2.7 RS ate it alive in the real world. I remember it had electronic ignition (dinoplex?) which was cutting edge at the time, but it was so reliable it needed a mechanical back-up And we don't need to mention starting it on a cold damp day after a week sitting idle

[tchanson]

Beautiful in that color, but I hope the purchaser has the taste to remove the pony from the grille.

Drives me nuts to see Ferrari badges plastered on a car that never came with any, and the Dino name was certainly significant enough in and of itself to Enzo.




Tim

[911skb]

So anybody here with first hand driving experience in one?

Or I could check out Vacuum Pump-Chat to read up on comments.

[VaSteve]

Originally posted by tchanson
Beautiful in that color, but I hope the purchaser has the taste to remove the pony from the grille.

Drives me nuts to see Ferrari badges plastered on a car that never came with any, and the Dino name was certainly significant enough in and of itself to Enzo.




Tim

I recall reading somewhere recently that they weren't selling well so the factory authorized adding the Ferrari badges to make them move.

[89911]

I just saw one today on an auction show. The never came from the factory with any badging. Apparently Mr Ferrari wasn't completely sold on an under-priced car having the same badging as many of the higher priced ones. But, some importers apparently did place Ferrari badges when they brought them into the US, so if one has one, it isn't always incorrectly placed. As far as the construction. I've talked to a few very good body men and they shake their head when you ask them about how the car is actually made. They can be brutally crude made cars and not engineering masterpieces.

[VaSteve]

This is an interesting read....

http://www.redlinerennsport.homestead.com/Ferrari.html

[tchanson]

Originally posted by VaSteve
I recall reading somewhere recently that they weren't selling well so the factory authorized adding the Ferrari badges to make them move.

Never heard that before. They sold almost 4000 Dinos, making them by far the best selling car in the company's history before they started cranking out 308's.

While some dealers may have added badges (or vinyl tops as well) I don't believe any ever came from the factory that way.



Tim

[VaSteve]

Originally posted by tchanson
Never heard that before. They sold almost 4000 Dinos, making them by far the best selling car in the company's history before they started cranking out 308's.

While some dealers may have added badges (or vinyl tops as well) I don't believe any ever came from the factory that way.



Tim

Right, the factory authorized dealers to add the badging. I wasn't very clear.

[Dixie]

I read in a magazine that you can buy them for $25K...

Perhaps you're thinking of the 308 GT4 Dino. The car pictured is a 246 GTS. For this car the price would be more like $100,000 to $150,000.

I recall reading somewhere recently that they weren't selling well so the factory authorized adding the Ferrari badges to make them move.

Correct. Dino was to Ferrari what Scion is to Toyota. (Now there's a comparison that has Enzo rolling in his grave.) The Dino brand was conceived as a way to broaden Ferrari’s market, yet protect the panache of the Ferrari brand. Dinos were to be the six and eight cylinder cars. Ferrari would be the 12 cylinder cars. The problem was, no one wanted too buy an expensive six cylinder Dino. But on the other hand, people did want to buy expensive six cylinder Ferraris.

[SlowToady]

Perhaps you're thinking of the 308 GT4 Dino. The car pictured is a 246 GTS. For this car the price would be more like $100,000 to $150,000.

The $25K post was an allusion to the thread about $25K Porsche 910s.

My dad drove one when they were new (working as a valet). Doubt he remembers how well made it was, but he wants one to this day. I think he said it's the only Ferrari he really likes.

I think they're sexy.