Dino Saga 060917 _ More Modern Dino?

Dino Saga 060917 _ More Modern Dino?

Folks keep talking about another Dino. Then I look at mine, and a 360, and a 430. Chrome, bumpers and no front spoiler are the difference. The body lines are identical but the amount allocated to humans has shrunk a lot. Now it’s all engine. The Dino is smaller and actually more liveable as a GT for two on a long weekend. Looked at pics of the NART Dino raced back in the 70s. It had a spoiler similar to the 330 and the just unveiled P4/5 one-off. Got me to thinking of the problems getting a modern Dino with no changes in style or major dimensions. Might not be possible. Certainly would be difficult.

Dino is long for its wheelbase. Lots of overhang at both ends. It is low! 13” high bumper in front, 17” in rear. 3.5” bottom clearance, 43” high at roof, 29” at trunk lid. Big windows, great visibility. It holds drivers up to 6’2” and passengers 3” less. Trunk holds a 2 person suitcase or 2 large golf bags. Goes good, corners good, has horrible gas mileage. Came with heavy wheels and narrow tires by modern standards. Comfortable for long range cruising and nimble around town. Gets a thumbs-up from grade schoolers and old fogeys every where you go. Even teenagers give it a second glance.

Wheels and engine are easy. 16-17” wheels and wide tires. No less than 45 profile for bumpy road traveling. Engine just needs fuel injection and full computer control. Another 50 HP would be nice but better just lighten car. Suspension is fine. Modern arc lights would be wonderful. Regulations are biggest problem. Current rules make front and rear engineering a nightmare. Tiny lights faired into fenders might allow a flexible molded front end with a strong core. Car looks at least as good without bumpers. They are only useful for tying a tow rope to. The NART race car of the 70s had no bumpers and a 330 style spoiler. Looked pretty good but spoiler would be a problem on steep driveways.

Rear end looks the most difficult to me. That trunk space and the rear visibility is a must keep. If the whole aft 6” was molded and the suitcase was considered crushable, you might be able to hold the lines. Bumpers on the back make some sense but they should be attached to something stout enough to do some good. Aluminum and carbon fiber could stiffen frame and lighten car. 500 pounds less would do wonders. Curve the side windows just a little. About a ½’ curve would let the door window go all the way down and let the lines flow easier. My old Alfa SS had such windows and it helped.

Took a few pictures to see the critical angles. Got too artsy with my lighting and had a hard time seeing the car. Should have had a crew with reflectors. Too Dark. Time with PhotoStudio got something useful. All pics had problems scrunching down to Rob’s 244 Kb limit. Sunlit leaves and gravel do not compress in JPG files. Thousands of high contrast points. I took sharpening tool and just sharpened the car and immediate surroundings after shrinking. Usually just sharpen whole thing. Still learning new tricks.

Oh, best thing about a Dino, no console! You can reach across and pat your partner’s leg as you pull into the hotel parking lot after a spirited ride. Produces 2 big smiles. Priceless!

John
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Like everyone else, I have played around with the lines and the power plant. Gave up. Ferrari and Pinin Farina got it right the first time. The Alfa Diva looks OK from front and rear but is a short fat slob from the side. Dino looks good from everywhere. I just wondered what could be possible, 37 years later, duplicating shape, power plant and suspension. Should look the same from the outside and the inside but be safer, lighter and faster. With titanium, carbon fiber, aluminum, modern plastics and computers you should be able to do something. Including making it shift like a Miata.

Lots of nice ideas on the designthread but they all give up things I love about the original. Will keep thinking. In the meantime, here is a better view of of the blue Dino.

John
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