When you think of Italian coupes named Dino, Ferrari undoubtedly springs to mind. However, we’re checking out the 1967 Fiat Dino.
Set to be auctioned by RM Sotheby’s later this month, the car was created because Ferrari wanted to compete in Formula 2 but didn’t have the capacity to build the 500 engines required for homologation. As a result, they turned to Fiat to make an all-aluminum 2.0-liter V6.
Of course, Fiat needed a car to put the engine into so they came up with the idea of the Dino. Envisioned as a halo vehicle, the coupe was designed by Bertone and introduced at the 1967 Geneva Motor Show.
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The model debuted several months after the Pininfarina designed Spider and featured a 10.6 inch (270 mm) longer wheelbase to allow for a 2+2 seating configuration. Besides being more practical, the coupe was a looker as it featured a sporty front fascia with quad headlights and a honeycomb mesh grille. They were joined by front fender vents, flowing bodywork and a stylish interior.
Motivation was provided by a revised version of the Ferrari racing engine and it reportedly developed 158 hp (118 kW / 160 PS). It was paired to a five-speed manual that sent power to the rear wheels via a limited-slip differential.
This particular Dino has been given a “no-expense-spared ground-up restoration” that saw the vehicle completely disassembled and the body stripped to bare metal, before being painted a luscious red. Furthermore, the engine and transmission were rebuilt while the original Cromodora wheels restored to like-new condition. Capping things off is a refurbished interior with black leather and wood trim.
The car is being offered without reserve and has reportedly been driven a mere 25 miles (40 km) since its restoration. The end result is stunning and it’s expected to fetch between $60,000 – $80,000 (£43,161 – £57,540 / €49,752 – €66,341).