In 1964, René Bonnet, working for his own company, Automobiles René Bonnet, introduced the first mid-engine production car, the Matra Djet.
1965 Enzo Ferrari, led by Battista and Sergio Pininfarina, collaborated with Pininfarina to design the mid-engine prototype.
1965 Ferrari unveiled the Dino Berlinetta Speciale at the Paris Motor Show.
The prototype was based on the Dino 206 P chassis, featuring Pininfarina’s sleek and balanced design.
Key design elements include the side air vent, rear windscreen, front wheel arches, and rear engine deck.
The Dino Berlinetta Speciale marks a significant shift from front-engine to mid-engine layouts for Ferrari.
The Dino Berlinetta Speciale proved that great things happen when you ‘put your engine where your heart is.’
The public’s reaction at the Paris Motor Show is overwhelmingly positive.
1968 Ferrari launched the first road-going Dino, influenced by the Berlinetta Speciale.
The car was donated to the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) in memory of Battista Farina.
It was the club’s most treasured possession, and they pledged never to sell it publicly.
However, the club’s museum eventually needed funds to sustain its operations.
2017, the car was auctioned at Rétromobile Paris, selling for around €4.4 million.
The Dino Berlinetta Speciale remains a treasured piece of automotive history. It showcases the collaboration between Ferrari and Pininfarina and influences future mid-engine models.
‘Driving the Dino Berlinetta Speciale is like having a concert in your rearview mirror: the engine plays the music, and you’re the Rock God’