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En The Escudería we pay special attention to the important chapter that motor literature represents for our hobby. The abundance of books on the market means that we cannot bother to review all of them in these pages, even if it weighs on us. However, we cannot miss those marked occasions that mark an essential milestone in the available bibliography of brands or figures in the history of the automobile.
I can think of few examples of authors with such dedication and dedication for a brand as Matthias Bartz (1966), whom I had the pleasure of meeting personally on the grounds of the International Fair "Landesmesse" in Stuttgart, when he stood out at the important event Retro Classics 2011 with an extraordinary stand dedicated to the Dino. This happened to be one of the best exhibitions organized by an individual individual, and can be compared to the best positions in auction houses, professional dealers, dealerships and clubs.
On that occasion, Bartz presented an exhaustive overview not only of the Dino in its 206 and 246 variants, but also of the Fiat and Lancia equipped with the same V6 engine, taking several cars from his collection to Stuttgart, as well as others donated by collectors of the brand. . We will remember that the Commendatore Ferrari avoided giving its name to the Dino engine because it considered that it did not have the minimum number of cylinders required for it, traditionally set at 12 by the Maranello house.
There is no shortage of books about the Dino and much less about the Ferrari brand in general, such as titles "Dino, Les autres Ferrari" (1988) by Frenchman Jean-Pierre Gabriel, or "Dino 166-206-246" by the Italian Piero Casucci; to which are added many other works of greater or lesser importance, each contributing detailed or general aspects of the model in question. But, to date, no one has approached the subject with such depth and historical, technical and analytical perspectives as Matthias Bartz.
To face a task of such magnitude, Bartz had a long experience as a fan and passionate about the Ferrari brand, being vice president of the Ferrari Club Germany and responsible for its Dino section. Bartz approached his work as a long-distance runner, not as a sprinter: his task would be long and exhaustive, he required significant research, data collection, testimonies, documentation and vintage images. His book would not be one more of those dedicated to Ferrari, but a reference work that should be a must-read and essential reference, not only for the owners, professionals and restorers of those cars that have been forgotten for a while and are highly current today. , but also for the fans and admirers of a particularly interesting chapter in the history of Ferrari.
Bartz studies the Dino from its project and prototypes to its decline in all existing models and variants, even when the differences are only localized in finishing details and equipment, such as the paint in its wide catalog of colors and tones of origin, the upholstery , tires or other options. The section devoted to the fundamental mechanical elements, displacements, powers and successive evolutions and improvements of the car is especially complete. Original factory drawings, assembly sheets and schematics are also provided.
The publication of a complete list of chassis numbers, with more than 4.000 identified references, will allow historians, registries and simple interested parties to have a working base in the follow-up of individual copies. A list of production VINs of any brand is essential to detect bad surprises, such as replicas, alterations or imitations and is very useful when it comes to valuing units whose price can be very high. In this regard, the Dino, which just a few years ago was an underrated model, has today risen to one of the first places in terms of appreciation and appreciation. When relatively recently it was possible to find units on the market at a price of 80.000 euros, in the last sales at auctions the prices are close to 200.000.
I was lucky to also attend the presentation of the "Dino Compendium" made by its author at Techno Classica Essen in 2012, wrapped in the structure of a Ferrari Club Deutschland proud to host a first that aroused expectations at the famous international event. By holding by weight one of the first copies that came from the printing press, I had the immediate impression of finding myself in front of a product of excellent quality, not only in its material realization, but also in its content, from the first to the last page. , as I later corroborated when I analyzed the book in detail after a careful reading.
The writing, in the style of a passionate staunch of the brand who, nevertheless, retains an objective coldness when it comes to facts and not opinions, It is entertaining and educational, discovering all the nooks and crannies through which the Dino traveled, which went from being a model focused on competing for a clientele in the Porsche 911 sector, to establishing itself as a cultural phenomenon, suitable for both an art showroom and circuit outings, expressing its qualities related to real prototypes such as the Ferrari P3, whose lines it undoubtedly recalls.
Interview with the author
- Why did you choose the Dino brand as the protagonist of your book?
[su_quote] «You could say this is crazy about the Dino. I own six Dinos and I became more and more interested in their history; I thought it was important to reflect it in a definitive book. " [/ su_quote]
- How much time have you devoted to the book?
[su_quote] "Several years of preparation and research and two more years of writing and editing." [/ su_quote]
- What has been the greatest difficulty in writing it?
[su_quote] «Once the book was finished, it was essential to review and verify the data. Accuracy, precision and elimination of errors were necessary. It was hard work of many weeks of concentration. " [/ su_quote]
- How many copies does the first edition consist of?
[su_quote] «2.250 copies in English and 750 copies in German. I am surprised by the success of the book, there are currently few copies available. [/ su_quote]
INTERNATIONAL CRITICISM NOTES |
| - «The Prancing Horse», No 184: «The book is an incredible source of technical informationIt is the most complete history of a car that we have read, incredibly exhaustive.
- "Octane", April 2012: “Although at first glance it may seem like an expensive book, the more you look at it, the more you wonder how Bartz managed to produce it at that price. It really is a superb and elegant effort with a much more than complete result ”. - "Classic and Sports Car", March 2012: Named Book of the Month. «The book is a formidable accomplishment, a real lesson in how to write a monothematic book«. - Marcel Massini (Ferrari historian): "Of the 2.500 Ferrari books that I have in my library, the Dino Compendium ranks in the top five ever published." |
FEATURES OF THE EDITION
| Versions: | German and English |
| Print: | Produced and printed in Germany, with selected materials of the best quality, bound with hard covers and sliding inside a cardboard box. |
| Size: | 25,0x30,5 inch |
| Structure: | 396 pages in 16 chapters with 711 photos and illustrations |
| Price: | $160 |
| Where to buy: | Requests exclusively through the book's website, at the following address: https://www.dino-book.com |
| Notes: | As a special deference to friends and readers of The Escudería, the author will sign a dedication to those who purchase the book and send an electronic message mentioning "La Escudería" to the following address: [email protected] |
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Images | Matthias Bartz, Stefano Mecchia, Stefano Mecchia
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