Dino: The Little Ferrari – V6 and V8 Racing and Road Cars
By Doug Nye
Just prior to his untimely death, Enzo Ferrari’s son, Alfredino—or “Dino” for short—was helping venerable engine designer Vittorio Jano and his father design a new V-6 engine configuration for Ferrari’s upcoming 1.5-liter racecar. When Dino died of renal failure in 1956, his father named the new V-6 powerplant (and all future V-6 and V-8 powerplants) in honor of his lost son. So was born the Dino legacy, which went on to win three World Championships and power the bulk of Ferrari’s road cars starting in the 1970s.
In Dino: The Little Ferrari noted historian Doug Nye examines the history of the Dino-engined road and racecars by starting in 1957 with the front-engined Dinos and ends at 1979 with the 308 road cars. At first glance, it initially seemed curious that this treatise should end at 1979, until closer examination reveals that this book is merely a direct reprint of Nye’s original 1979 work. This revelation (which was not outlined in the book’s sales materials) proves disappointing not just because there have been a number of interesting cars that could have now been included to update the book, but also because none of the original’s dated design or poorly reproduced photographs were updated either. In light of the many excellent all-color Ferrari books that have recently been released in the same price range ($35 U.S.), this book seems surprisingly dated and of poor quality by the current standards. The text and basic history is still valid and informative, but this book will be a disappointment if you are looking for high-quality photos or post–Carter era insights.
Available from MBI Publishing for $34.95 at (800) 826-6600 or by visiting www.motorbooks.com
