“Almost a Ferrari, “ the Dino 246 GT was initially advertised as, and there are different explanations why the car, named after Enzo´s early-deceased beloved son, was denied the Ferrari script and prancing horse. And whatever the real reason was, the Dino is an important milestone in Ferrari´s history and one of their most beautiful road cars. In scale 1:18, the collectors’ community hasn´t been so happy with the previous model, including Norev´s GT. Now Norev, constantly making improvements on their models, have released a limited and numbered online exclusive European spec open targa top GTS as built from 1972 to 1974 in a wonderfully stylish brown. And that´s where discussions start.

Advertised by Norev as Nocciola Metallizzato, some find the hue of brown closer to the thrice as often sold, slightly darker Marrone Dino Metallizzato. Hazelnut or chestnut, it suits the Barocco Italiano shape of the car just fine, although not all of this European spec Ferr… err, Dino is as it left the factory. On the rear lights, Norev have failed to add the chrome rings around the otherwise excellent tail lights, which is their only big miss on this model IMHO. The headlight covers, for example, are not factory-original, but were offered aftermarket by an English manufacturer. The Ferrari script, too, was by no means applied by the factory, but an even more frequent addition, sometimes by dealers whose customers didn´t see the point of paying Ferrari money for something that was only “almost a Ferrari”.

Unfortunately, the trunk and engine lid do not open despite the illusion that the separate metal part successfully creates from behind and above. So no 6-cylinder mid-engine inside either, which is a pity, as the Dino was Ferrari´s first mid-engined car. You can, however, buy a Dino engine kit that is so detailed that it would be a pity to hide it in the Norev, but you could display it next to it, like some Motorhelix filler. This sealed character of the model extends to the air intakes behind the doors, whose openings are not simulated by black color like on Norev´s 308 GTS, and is more obvious for frunk and doors, which doesn´t matter so much for an open top car, the simple nicely fitting targa top being easily removable, but not stowable behind the seats as on the real car. This almost guides us to the Norev´s interior.

But not before a glance at the wheels: These are very convincingly the Cromodora wheel option, including a valve and detailed centre with script and wheel nuts. To ask for a “Dino” script cast into the rim, as on the original wheels (as opposed to aftermarket copies), would be exaggerated at this price point, while tire branding would not. Referring to the wheel arches before moving on to the interior, after having already mentioned the sealed doors, is on purpose. Because if you don´t find he wheel arches flared enough, this may be because the model does not resemble the so-called “flares & chairs” option.

The “chairs” would have to be the Daytona seats for this option, while here we´ve got the base spec, more frequently in vinyl than in leather. This, however, would make a lame excuse for the entire interior being predominantly black without carpets or seatbelts, again unlike Norev´s own, similarly priced 308 GTS. The real reason here is cost-cutting … and an invitation to enhance the model (which I have taken the liberty of attempting, as you may see from my additional photos). Another interesting observation in the passenger footwell is the same gap as on the driver´s side for the steering column. Hidden inside the sealed body, the front axle has a gap for the steering column on both sides, and the interior´s tub is prepared for mounting the pedals on the right-hand side. Some may remember the model being shown in RHD at a fair, and Norev confirms that this model and future models will be manufactured for both LHD and RHD options, so that the only different parts will have to be the dashboard and the windshield for the correct mounting of the wipers. Smart, but the Dino is a funny first for this, given the absence of famous original cars. Few RHD Dinos were built, and 70s celebrities such as Eric Clapton and Keith Richards have LHD Dinos.

In fact, Norev´s effort here is so good that it´s regrettable that they didn´t go all-in with their known potential and create an all-opening model with an engine, seat belts, carpeting, etc. The Dino certainly would have been worth it. Until then, the GTS in this colour is a good enough choice, especially for upgrading it DIY.