This 1973 Ferrari Dino remains in excellent, original condition, with claimed original paint and zero accident damage in its history file. It has been with one owner for close to 30 years, and the listing tells a tale of how the second owner came into possession of his prized Dino. Due to failing health, it is now for sale and listed here on eBay with bidding over $75K and the reserve unmet.
According to the listing, the seller was pumping gas into his Ferrari 308 when an individual mentioned needing help unloading a large collection of Ferraris owned by his father-in-law. Taken aback by the notion that there was a collection of vintage Ferraris practically under his nose that needed re-homing, he offered to help and would go onto wind down the collection via his network of car enthusiast friends and fellow Ferrari fans. As a sign of their gratitude, the heirs offered him one of the three remaining cars at a substantial discount – and he chose the Dino.
The listing is being managed by the seller’s friend, who describes the owner as the kind of individual you want to buy a vintage Ferrari from. No expense has seemingly been spared, and the Dino has been looked after by one of the country’s most respected Ferrari mechanics. The leather is original and the listing claims that the “mouse hair” dash has been properly cared for, and never had any items placed on top of it. The listing also estimates this is one of the best Dinos available today.
The original tool kit, jack, and warning triangle all appear unused, and mileage is claimed to be a tick over 20,000. It’s refreshing to see a Dino that isn’t red, and I hope this example is never repainted just to satisfy an urge to own a red Ferrari. While Dinos were at one time seen as being somewhat low on the Ferrari totem pole, those days are gone and exceptional examples like this one will command top dollar. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Patrick S. for the find.
Jeff — for the love of heaven, IT’S NOT A FERRARI! It’s a DINO! No matter what the seller — or anyone else — says, these were built and sold as Dinos. Only. No “Ferrari.”
But then, they don’t have to be Ferraris to be wonderful little machines. I’ve driven a few, and really can’t fault them in any important way. The driveline, chassis and everything else is about as good as it got back in ’73. More, I think, than the sum of its parts. And they look great in any color!
Well…I know you’re technically correct; but it does say “Ferrari” twice on the federally mandated door jamb tag. See the picture in the eBay listing. At least the owner didn’t slap Ferrari badges or horses on it as many do.
Call it whatever you like RayT but the vin tag says that it was manufactured by FERRARI and that makes it a FERRARI in anybody’s language. I have bought and sold several of these back in the day and they were always known as a Ferrari, even by members of the Ferrari club. The Fiat Dino is another story even though it had a Ferrari engine.
This guy knows ^^
Does that mean that labels like Plymouth, Oldsmobile, and Lincoln should be called Chryslers, GMCs, and Fords? Subdivision is an important part of classification, and while a Dino may have been made by Ferrari, it is no more (or less) a “Ferrari” than a Chevrolet is a GMC.
What does the title say as to the make? What does an insurance company call it? Is “Dino” a make of car? Seems to me if it says Ferrari, the DMV and ins. cos. say it’s a Ferrari, and the VIN says Ferrari…it may just be a Ferrari.
You could buy 20 or 30 Kelmark GTs for the price of this car…
And it’s not really a Ferrari…
BWAHAHAHAHA!!!
Ain’t nobody on this site who wouldn’t give his left *** for this car. But it’s out of our league, like Michelle Pfeiffer – pretty but unobtainable.
Nice find.
I think this car has lower mileage on it than her!! Just sayin.
Says the guy with a chance at neither…
This has Wayne Carini written all over it?
No flares or chairs? I still really like it though. Wish I had the funds.
Bidding is over $100K and the reserve still is not met. Great looking car but who can afford such a toy?
Someone who knows they can get $25k more for it next year, perhaps?
86 Vette:
This is a $3-400,000 car, so don´t be surprised!
Love them or hate them but the Dinos are grail cars for collectors. Love this in white over black.
Ps: Ferrari
I´ve never met anyone who hated the original Dino (though a few ex owners could qualify). The follow up Bertone 308GT4 Dino was an outcast for many years. The 308GT4 was always one of my favourite Ferraris, so I´m happy to see that they get more respect these days.
Tend to prefer Bertone over Pininfarina on most things, but on Dinos there´s only one wineer.
White is unusual too..
I think the Dino is one of the best looking Ferrari’s (yes, I said Ferrari) ever. Small, great lines, not all crapped up with scoops and wings, and vents, and whatnot. Just a really cool sports car! I would love to have one, but sadly, too rich for me.
A lot of nitpicking! It is sold at high end auctions (think Sotheby’s or RSM as examples) as a Ferrari Dino. Concourso condition GTS versions are selling for over $300K. I was at Road Atlanta for a Can An race in 1973 and Mark Donahue did some exhibition laps in a Dino that I will never forget. Mark drove it so fast and smoothly through the corners! It was breathtaking. It’s a great car. Period!
Bob: I have a picture of Mark Donahue driving a red Dino/Ferrari down I85 north of Atlanta. I was on my way home from Road Atlanta and came up on the car in traffic. We realized who it was and drove along side waving; he looked over at us and we snapped the picture.
However, the picture is dated October 1974, not 73. I would be happy to post it or send a copy if interested.
I’d like to see the picture.
I was all excited for a moment…thought it was another Kelmark. Darn.
If only I had the cash – USD$123,000 and climbing….
Looking at it from directly behind, it looks like a chrome bumper Stingray.
I’ll “pick some nits”…. Never meant to be a “true” Ferrari by the actual man whose name is on the factory. Homage to his son. That’s why it has a V6, just like the Dino Fiats or Fiat Dino’s that came before it. Way to increase sales to get more money for the actual F1 team. It’s certainly a beautiful design, but even there, if one looks at the Porsche 904s, 906s and 908s (several years earlier) you’ll find amazing similarities. I actually love it, and knew I guy that had a yellow one. All you guys and auction houses can call it a Ferrari if you wish…it’s not.
Well it was built inside a Ferrari factory by Ferrari employees. It was given the name Dino in honor of his son whose last name was Ferrari. I think that closes the case.
There is a lovely blue Dino in the Ferrari museum in Modena at the moment so guessing they think it is a Ferrari?
I would post a picture but sure how to.
I have always wondered why Enzo didn’t out a Ferrari badge in it though.
Maybe he thought that was a greater honour to have named after his son?
Were they sold by Ferrari retailers back in the day?
It was a little different then with various importers in the US and Here in Europe.
UK Paul – though Enzo wanted to honor his son, he and his “team” also wanted to develop a sub-brand and especially that V6 engine in order to compete in different racing classes. If you may recall, that engine, in different sizes was also used in a couple of lovely Fiat “Dino” models. A coupe and a convertible. Lots of folks were put-off by the price, but it had a Ferrari developed and assembled engine in it. Detuned for street use. Back to original question..here in the states the Ferrari name plate was NOT attached to the Dino. It was likely sold in Ferrari dealerships (certainly the ones I went to here in Chicagoland). There was only one North American importer and he also had control over “NART” (the Ferrari North America Racing Team) and also had a lot to say regarding who could sell them, and where. If you knew him, you could even get specials built back when that was an even bigger deal than it is now. I’ll probably destroy the spelling of his name: Luigi Chitti (my apologies)
UK Paul – nuts, it’s “Luigi Chinetti” (my bad)
Interesting, especially about the importers. I thought i read there were a few in the states but it could easily be a false memory.
I remember years ago they were very much considered not a real Ferrari and were relatively cheap. (£30k/$60k if memory serves right)I watched the prices as a teenager thinking one day!
How things have changed.
My neighbour has a much newer Ferrari and I get a serious itch every time I look out my lounge window.
Would love a 348 or a 355 one day. They seem great buys.
Going to the Ferrari museum recently really made me passionate about the brand. I highly recommend if anyone is in Italy, it is quite an emotional experience.
Paul you raise good questions. Back that far I didn’t visit Ferrari dealers, closest one was hundreds of miles away. But if there is one in the Ferrari Museum that speaks volumes.I am from UK originally! Been in America a long time now.
Ferraris have always seemed to be in my life in a small way.
I lived near a dealer (near London) growing up and fond memories of peering in the dealer windows.
As a teenager I got to be in a TV documentary about the beauty of cars. Ferrari has supplied a couple of cars and I still have the sticker somewhere the guy from Ferrari gave me. (30 odd years ago)
Then I worked for a helicopter company for a while where Ferraris were a daily occurrence (including a 348 whose alarm went off every time a helicopter took off) and a guy in the village where I grew up had an F40. What a monster that was.
One of my first jobs was working for a car magazine and I was lucky enough to drive a Testarosa one day which will always be a great memory.
Top top it off my neighbour has a Black Ferrari Scaletti. Sounds incredible when he starts it up.
My wife is American and nearly emigrated a few years ago so nearly joined you over there.
I am a huge Aston and 90’s Porsche fan, but somehow nothing beats the mystique of a Ferrari.
UK Paul – small world, and one meets the nicest people here. I came very close to marrying a woman from Bristol that was a “dualie”, American (former girlfriend from our youth) and Brit.
Have loved Ferraris since preteen. Plenty where I live too. My problem..too darn tall AND long-legged. An attorney friend is a “Porschephile” and has 6. Two 356’s since new, a “new/old” Spyder w/a 911S engine (whee !), a 924 for wife, Carrera SUV, nice Cayman, and a swell 911. Good to have friends with big garages…he bought the property for that first !
Sure wish I lived near you two Ferrari lovers! I grew up in Derbyshire but now in So. Cal. Ferrari’s, Astons, Jags, Porsche’s, Lambos etc. are as common as Volvos in this part of the world. A good friend has over 50 mostly exotic cars in two very large garages. Another friend races a Lotus 23B successfully (usually at Laguna Seca).