When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. And I’m not referring to the bright yellow hue this gorgeous vintage Ferrari wears.
Two winters ago, I was temporarily removed from my mechanic duties to fill in at the motor pool office at my workplace. My job was essentially like that of a librarian, only instead of books, I checked out cars, trucks, and assorted specialty vehicles to people who needed them. All the other regular staff was either on vacation or medical leave, so my name got pulled out of the hat due to my combination of rank and seniority, as well as my rep for having a solid work ethic. Oh joy.
Office work and me go together about as well as a supermodel and fast food, but the job wasn’t entirely without its perks. I got to spend my downtime checking out all sorts of attractive, smartly-dressed ladies as they went to and fro to their various appointments at offices all over downtown. I also got to glimpse many CCs passing through, but usually wasn’t quick enough to capture it on camera. This time was different, however. I grabbed my phone just in time to snap a couple of pics of this lovely and rare machine through my office window before it vanished into downtown traffic. It was a lone ray of sunshine on an otherwise damp, chilly, and gray day.
One of the most beautiful cars ever made. Funny how it was never badged as a Ferrari
That’s because the standard back then was, “if it wasn’t a V-12, it wasn’t a Ferrari.”
The lack of a Ferrari badge was a deliberate marketing decision. The 246 was intended as a relatively low priced affordable model. . Ferrari correctly avoided debasing their brand and image on this model, that was technically less sophisticated with lower performance than the senior models. We’ve seen many other manufacturers split their output among brands for the same reason.
In this case, the Dino was a dead end. Future low cost models, like the 308 received the Ferrari name.
Magnificent find, sure makes the day a bit brighter! At least you have a good window to put to good use during the downtime.
I’d love to have a job like the one you just described!
Many Dinos have Ferrari badges added
Love the Dino GTS, I feel the distinctive targa top roofline is more attractive than the closed GT. I’m surprised any would be seen in the wild in traffic like this, the collector crowd has really pounced on these lately to tuck away until the next auction.
The Dino line was a success in it’s own right , Dino engine and bodies in their various forms found there way into haute couture, hillclimbs , sports car racing and Formula 1. 1958 246/256 when the rules for engine sizes were changed, there being a 2.5 litre limit.
The 246 used a 2417 cc Dino V6 engine with a 65° angle between the cylinder banks.The road cars engine was based on the Type 196 racing engine converted for road use by Aurelio Lampredi. This was the first use of a V6 engine in a Formula One car, but otherwise the 246 was a conventional front-engine design. The Ferrari 246 was good enough to win a World Championship for Mike Hawthorn and a second place in the Constructors’ Championship for Ferrari.
Enzo called this line the Dino to honour his son , above any marketing ideas which some suggest.
The Dino line was magnificent and great in it’s own right.
Perhaps I am a churl, but nevertheless I’m not a fan of the targa topped Dino shape.
Great find though.