At last year’s VARAC festival, I saw Ron Kieley’s Ferrari Dino race car for the first time. In fact, it was the first time I’d ever seen any Dino race car. This year, I had the opportunity to meet Ron and learn bit more about his baby.
Ron’s car is amazing on several counts. Ferrari’s of every vintage are known for being unreliable when pushed hard. Even the popular current models have proven to be fragile. So much so that Porsche drivers in events like Gumball and Bullrun make fun of the Stallions as they storm past broken down stallions in their teutonic tanks. Ron’s Dino blows all those stereotypes right out of the water.
Other than safety equipment, this Dino is all factory original. In fact, other than normal maintenance items like brakes and belts, this car is completely original. Even with 99,000 km the engine has never been out of the car, let alone rebuilt.
Just like the old days, the road going headlamps receive some classic tape work.
Even the exterior is just as it left the factory. Ok, the paint hasn’t weathered all that well, with some deep age cracks but you have to give Ron credit for keeping it true to life. This is a car that is used and enjoyed by it’s owner and it deserves to show a few battle scars.
No tows needed with this Ferrari, it’s amazing that there aren’t more people racing this little Italian soldier.
Named for Enzo’s son who passed away as a young adult, the Dino has quietly become an obscure icon in it’s own right.
Jaimie says
July 9, 2007 at 7:17 pmAlways love this car