FIAT DINO COUPE

Background:

The Fiat Dino Coupé was launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1967, six months after the convertible version had made its debut in Turin. While the soft top Spyder was styled by Pininfarina, the svelte coupé looked considerably different. It had been designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Bertone and then finished by his replacement Marcelo Gandini, after Giugiaro left for Ghia.

Remarkably, this stylish duo were, to all intents and purposes, perhaps the very first ‘homologation specials’ ever made. Ferrari needed to produce 500 vehicles using its 2-litre V6 so that it could be used for the Scuderia’s Formula 2 racing cars but at that time, Enzo’s company had nowhere near the production capacity to fulfil the task, so a deal was struck with Fiat to manufacture the cars.

The concept of the 2-litre 65° V6 engine is credited to Ferrari’s son, Alfredo (‘Dino’), who had died tragically young in 1956 and the cars carried his name as a result, along with Ferrari’s own 206 Dino – Ferrari attempting to spin off a brand bearing his lamented son’s nickname, with the company’s first mid-engined sportscar.

Initially penned as a racing power-unit by the legendary Vittorio Jano and then readied for road car production by equally prestigious Aurelio Lampredi, the engine was not made at Maranello, as had been Ferrari’s plan but by Fiat, to guarantee supply for production.

Sales proved healthy for all three Dino-powered models and in 1969 all three were treated to an engine upgrade to 2.4-litres, now producing 178hp, once again coupled to a 5-speed gearbox but an improved ZF dog-leg gearbox. The Fiat duo also benefitted from independent rear suspension among a raft of upgrades and improvements.

The coupé gained a certain popular exposure as the transport of choice for top-level Mafiosi in the 1969 heist movie, The Italian Job, and it remains a superb driver’s machine, with excellent handling thanks to the wishbone front suspension, independent rear, strong disc brakes and a stylish, comfortable interior.

The car:

This exquisite Dino Coupé was delivered new to its first owner in Austria in 1970. Sold to an Italian buyer in 1990, it was stored for some 20 years. In 2014, the car was disinterred and recommissioned, being refinished in a classy gunmetal grey with contrasting black leather interior. In addition, a brand new stainless steel exhaust system was fitted, along with new brakes all round. The car has recently benefitted from new front lights and grille, a top-end rebuild and even new number plates.

This left-hand drive, European-spec Fiat sits on correct Cromodora magnesium alloys with excellent tyres and comes with a UK V5 and period correct registration, as well as a small history file.

The Coupé’s odometer reads a mere 43,000kms (around 26,700 miles) and everything about its history and condition suggest this to be accurate.

Summary:

If you don’t have a time-machine, this is the best way to buy an 'as new' 1970 Fiat Dino Coupé and own a slice of La Dolce Vita…

Location: Suffolk

Seller: Private

Photos: Professional