A lovely sports car with a curvaceous body designed by Pininfarina and a hot V6 engine from Ferrari, the Fiat Dino Spider was an anomaly then as it is now: a limited-edition exotic with great credentials sold by Italy’s mass-market automaker.
There were two versions: a handsome 2+2 coupe designed by Bertone and the Pininfarina-styled Spider. Either version packed the Ferrari V6, the same engine found in the Ferrari Dino and used in the company’s F2 race cars.
The Pick of the Day is a 1972 Fiat Dino 2400 Spider that “wears a stunning restoration,” according to the Astoria, New York, dealer advertising the roadster on ClassicCars.com.
“The car was disassembled, and the body taken down to the bare metal before being refinished in an attractive silver-blue metallic,” the dealer says in the ad. “Trim was refinished or replaced as needed, and a new convertible top was installed. The interior was reupholstered in black vinyl.
“To ensure the mechanicals matched the aesthetics, an engine rebuild was performed that, by itself, totaled nearly $22,000.”
The Fiat Dino was named after Enzo Ferrari’s son, who died at a young age and who, with engineer Vittorio Jano, created the lightweight V6 engine; the Ferrari Dino also is named after him.
The Fiat models were produced because Ferrari needed to homologate its 2.0-liter aluminum V6 for F2 racing. There needed to be at least 500 road cars sold to the public with that engine, and the only way Ferrari could arrive quickly at that number was to have Fiat build and sell them en masse.
The homologation number was soon reached and, in all, there were 7,651 Fiat Dino coupes and spiders built between 1966 and June 1972, when production ceased. The later cars, built in-house by Ferrari with a 2.4-liter cast-iron version of the engine and a ZF 5-speed transmission, are considered to be more-reliable and all-around better cars. Just 424 2.4-liter spiders were built.
In the nicely composed urban photos with the ad, this Fiat Dino looks like a splendid example, said to be completely redone and finished in highly desirable Silver Blue Metallic.
“By appearances, all work was completed to a high standard, and this Dino Spider runs and drives superb with that fantastic Ferrari V-6 exhaust note,” the seller notes.
The styling of the Spider was controversial from the start, but they have grown over time on most aficionados of Italian cars. And for what they are – Ferrari-built and -powered roadsters – they are still reasonably priced, especially when compared with the similar-spec Ferrari Dino.
This one can be had for $167,500, certainly not inexpensive but a lot of spicy Italian meatball for the money.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
Although the outside and under bonnet is pretty unique, the interior harkens heavily to the Fiat 124 vintage of that period. Guage layout and type, vents, seats control positions, all would make a sypder 124 driver feel pretty much at home.
Would love to view an underbody suspension shot.
I owned 3 superb condition coupes (red and yellow) between 1994-2000. All mint condition low mileage and bought and sold all for under 14k. Viewed at that time a few spiders that were in excellent condition for prices in the 30k’s – all in LA and SF. Prices now in my humble opinion “ RIDICULOUS, LUDICROUS, UNWARRANTED”… they sound great, Look quite nice…. semi rare …. but properly valued ? :). Having owned over 100 cars of most euro Marques… going for a Sunday drive today in a car I love ….that again I paid under $15k… (values now at like 30k)…. and one day perhaps 70k… I love to buy them at appropriate prices. Since all the early air cooled 911’s skyrocketed- you seem 90% less of them driving… they are meant to drive ! Happy Motoring
Your correct about the parts bin. The best part about the car from the parts bin “is the engine”…. the rest of the plastic doesn’t add up to $167k on planet earth… 🙂
Click on the Pick of the Day red link at the end of the article, which will take you to the seller’s ad
Chev Corvair
I love this car and have been looking for one for quite awhile now. The market shot way up on these cars fast a couple of years ago. I’m a buyer but it would have to be around 125k.
I am interested in this Fiat This one can be had for $ 167,500, That price is Immovable?
Click on the Pick of the Day red link at the end of the article, which will take you to the seller’s ad
For all the work done on this car, presentation with a filthy floor? I just don’t get it. What other areas are ignored in this gorgeous Dino? Although pricey, I don’t think they’ll be another in your neighborhood.
Hey Bob,
Great article on a unique Fiat. Thank you for posting it.
I noticed that it said you are currently restoring a ‘62 Porsche 356 Super Coupe. I do have a large number of parts available for the 356 and early 911s. Please let me know if I can help you with parts for your project?
Thank you,
Jon Oskowski
Thanks, Jon. My 356 is a running piece and I don’t need any parts at the moment, but I will keep you in mind when I do.
This car has been for sale for ages and will never sell for anything close to that number.
How about an honest price for the Dino .when was the eng done, how about some underside photos and a compression rating on all cyc, I’m an honest buyer looking for an honest deal…..
This car has been sold