For those who have ever argued whether the 1968-1974 Dino was a “real” Ferrari, rest assured, it is. The debate was rooted in Enzo Ferrari’s decision to name the sports car for his son, Alfredo “Dino” Ferrari, who died in 1956. The young engineer had provided inspiration and technical input for a race-winning V6 engine that, a decade later, powered this pivotal road car in the Ferrari lineage. It was the exotic automaker’s first mid-engine model and the progenitor of a line that continues today. Recent near-million-dollar auction sales for Dinos have drawn attention.
Nearly five decades after their joint venture produced offspring, Ferrari was “spun off” from Fiat to raise cash for the latter. The resulting car, arguably one of the most beautiful Pininfarina designs and arguably one of Ferrari’s best sports cars, carried only “Dino” badges from the factory.
