The History of the Ferrari Dino

HistoryDaring Mid-Engined Road Car
The Dino was the budget brand for Ferrari,A daring effort in having the engine placed just
originally made in the late 1960's. The name camebehind the driver, a smidgen in front of the rear
from Alfredo Dino Ferrari, the late son of thewheels, in a road car, this placement was only
founder. In 1968, the Dino brand was a side stepkept for super-cars, such as the Lamborghini
from the snorting Ferrari V12 and flat 12 enginedMuira and Ford's GT40. Enzo was originally
cars. Having V6 and V8 engines, the Dino was apressured by Sergio Pininfarina to develop a car,
hark at the more affordable yet still classy andthe engine placed there would allow the front to
elegant type, sports car people were wanting.to low help reduce frontal area, for to pierce
After the roaring popularity of the Jaguar E Typethrough the air at speed. The handling was also
and Porsche's 911, the Dino was looking to enterextremely natural and balanced, nowadays car
the booming market. Although, little did they knowmanufacturers go head over heels getting near to
the oil crisis of the 70's was just around thea 50:50 weight distribution.
corner.35 Years Later the Dino is Back?
The PedigreeAfter a few prototypes, the Dino 206 S and the
It was 1966 when the Dino wanted to enter theBerlinetta GT were born and thrust at the public
1.6L class of the Formula 2 race series.in the 1967 Turin Car Show. That was it, the Dino
Unfortunately Ferrari could not meet the 500 unitwas a hit. So much so, 2008 saw spy pictures of
production of cars using the same engine. This isa 'new' Dino being drafted. Only computer images
where Enzo drafted Fiat to help produce thehave been released, but as with Ford bringing
sports car. And thus the mid-engined Dino drivenback the Mustang and hopefully the Capri, Ferrari
by its rear wheels was born. Using their own 2.0Lis looking at resurrecting the old name.
Dino V6 to enter the series.