
Gregor Wenner
Specialist Consultant
LOT 150
1968 FIAT Dino 2.0 Spider Coachwork by Pininfarina Chassis no. 135AS0000963 Engine no. 135B 000 0002162
In the mid-1960s, Ferrari needed a 2.0-litre production-based engine for the new Formula 2, and conceived the mid-engined Dino to provide the necessary basis. Since the late 1950s, Ferrari's V6-engined sports-racers had used the Dino name, after Enzo Ferrari's late son, Alfredino, who had died in 1956, and this was duly applied to the new road car. Indeed, at this time it was intended that it would be the first of an entirely separate marque. The new V6 power unit would prove as successful on the racetrack as in the showroom: Derek Bell and Ernesto Brambilla both winning races in the European Championship, while Andrea de Adamich triumphed in the 1968 Argentine Temporada series.
However, faced with the daunting task of building 500 units per annum to meet the FIA's homologation requirements, Ferrari turned to FIAT for assistance, the resulting agreement for the latter to build the Dino's four-cam V6 engine leading to a spin-off model for FIAT. Launched in Pininfarina-bodied two-seater Spider form at the 1966 Turin Show, the FIAT Dino carried its 2.0-litre, 160bhp engine ahead of the driver in conventional manner, and was notable as the first FIAT to employ four overhead camshafts and a limited-slip differential as standard. Steel bodied, the newcomer employed a FIAT five-speed gearbox and featured independent front suspension by means of wishbones and coil springs, a live rear axle, and disc brakes all round.
A longer-wheelbase 2+2 Coupé model with Giorgetto Giugiaro-designed Bertone coachwork appeared the following year at the Geneva Salon. In 1969 the V6 engine's capacity was increased to 2,418cc, a ZF gearbox and FIAT 130-type trailing-arm independent rear suspension being adopted at the same time. Power went up to 180bhp (DIN) at 6,600rpm. Styling changes were few: in the Spider's case being confined to a new front grille, rubber centre strips in the bumpers, and different wheel centres, while the interior benefited from improved switch gear and a carpeted boot. A most stylish conveyance, the FIAT Dino raced to 60mph in around 8 seconds and could reach 135mph while making all the right Ferrari-esque noises. Manufacture of the 2.0-litre version ended in 1969 and that of the 2.4-litre in 1973. Total production of the 2.0-litre cars amounted to 3,670 coupés and 1,163 spiders.
This delightful early FIAT Dino Spider has the lightweight all-aluminium 2.0-litre engine (the later 2.4-litre engines had cast-iron blocks) and was registered for the first time in July 1968. Finished in red with black interior since father of the current owner bought it in Berlin in 1991. The car belongs to the same family for the last 30 years. An older sympathetic restoration that is holding up well, the Dino was serviced in 2022 and comes with German registration documents.




















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