Fantasy Junction

Description

1970 Fiat Dino 2400 Spider
s/n 135BS0001219
Silver with Red Interior

The story of the Fiat Dino begins, like those of most of Italy's great cars, with the engine. An all-aluminum 2 liter quad cam V6 derived from the Dino 196 race car engine was converted for road use by Aurelio Lampredi (who also designed early Ferrari V12 motors), and placed into volume production in order to homologate the motor for racing use in Formula 2. 500 units needed to be produced and Ferrari knew they would not be able to produce or sell so many cars during this period, so the motors were employed in a new flagship Fiat Dino, in addition to the Ferrari 206 Dino. The Fiat Dino was available in closed or open form, bodied by Bertone and Pininfarina respectively. 24% of the Dinos produced were Spiders while the remaining cars were coupes.

For many years, the cars were under appreciated and otherwise overlooked by the collector community, in large part because of their Fiat badging. The fact of the matter is that they were and remain technically sophisticated, spirited Italian cars with attractive bodywork by Italy's best known designers, and an exceptional Ferrari engine.

The Dino was developed over its production run, and a raft of changes was implemented over the years, including the fitment of the 2.4 liter version of the engine that was also used in the Ferrari 246 Dino. Just 424 2.4 liter Fiat Dino Spiders were built, all of them at the Ferrari factory in Maranello rather than Fiat’s Rivalta plant where the 2.0 liter cars were built. Externally the 2.4 liter was distinguished by a matte black front grille with two horizontal chrome bars. The rockers were also generally painted flat black and the wraparound bumpers gained a thick rubber insert. Wheels were switched to the bolt on type shared with the Ferrari 246 and the badging was also updated. The car was lengthened by 25mm although the wheelbase was unchanged and aside from the doors and the front cowl panel ahead of the windscreen, no panels are interchangeable between 2.0 liter and 2.4 liter cars. The interior was very similar to the series two, 2-liter cars with the exception that the seats now could be ordered with the optional headrests in leather.

The revised engine had 20 bhp more and was fed by three twin-choke Weber 40 DCNF 12 carburetors, upgraded electronic Dinoplex ignition, and the later cars with twin coils. Foil covered, heat-resistant padding was added beneath the engine bonnet as well and a new ZF 5 speed gearbox was added. A bigger starter motor, larger radiator, larger fuel tank, new independent rear suspension, improved braking and cooling with larger 4 wheel discs also distinguished the 2.4 liter Dino. The standard wheel was the Cromodora 6 ½ X 14 inch or the Campagnolo 7” wheels available as an option though few were ordered this way. This car retains the original Cromodora wheels, dated 1971, and a new set of Michelin XWX tires.



This particular car, Dino Spyder # 1219, was manufactured in 1970 and was owned by a Mr. Steven Hubbard from Saint Paul, Minnesota. Mr. Hubbard’s ownership lasted for almost 30 years before he sold this example to a dealer in Florida, who then sold it to a Costa Rican citizen in the June of 2015. Before Mr. Hubbard purchased the car back in the 1970s, he was a serviceman living in Europe. There he befriended a man who was the original owner of the car. Hubbard so loved the car that he tried to convince the owner to sell him the car. It turns out that Steven owned a Gold “Rolex President” watch that the Dino owner also was in love with so eventually Steven ended up with the car in exchange for the gold watch and a thousand dollars. Steven enjoyed the car in Europe before moving back to the United States. After almost 30 years of ownership he decided to sell it because he wasn’t using it anymore as he had already put approx. 115,000 kilometers on the car and felt it was time to move it on to the Floridian. The suspension and drive train was rebuilt by a Dino Specialist named Joe Nash in England some years ago, recognized by the famous Fiat Dino Collector and author, Mike Morris. The car was then shipped to Los Angeles where it was cosmetically restored by a Fiat Dino Specialist.

The car has a very fresh and beautiful appearance, and it is very correct in its details. It retains all the correct badges, steering wheel, Dinoplex system, among other items. The Dinoplex is a modern MSD ignition system strategically incorporated inside the original Dinoplex housing so as to give its next owner trouble-free motoring, while at the same time retaining the original appearance. It just has the “Fiat” badging which is a plus when you go to register the car or want to diminish the attention it gets. “Hi, what kind of car is that”? “Oh, it’s just a Fiat”. “OK, thanks”, as the inquisitor walks away with no more questions.

This car was originally silver with a red Italian vinyl. The car has been completely repainted and reupholstered, both in keeping with the caliber achieved by the factory when the cars were new. The original “snake skin” Dino vinyl was sourced from Italy and recovered in the pattern as it came originally on this car. It even has the optional headrests and a proper matching boot in the correct “snake skin” vinyl using all the original hardware. The ultra-fine metallic paint was matched to the original from the factory color.

The engine bay and truck are also very correct in their appearance. The decals on the air cleaner are as factory original as is the refinished hammertone coating. The car retains its window washer bag, and Dinoplex box. Two of the exhaust silencers were replaced with N.O.S parts.

As part of the restoration process, the car was tuned up including cleaning of the radiator, fuel system, and a brake service. Accordingly, it drives very well, with good power and that wonderful V6 exhaust note which make Dinos so special. Power is fed through a nice dogleg-first gearbox, with a good second gear synchro, particularly when warm. The gauges all appear to be functioning well, and the top fits beautifully. The suspension is in very good order, with precise steering, and the brakes are effective. It is a rare find a Fiat Dino with less than 80,000 original miles, and this example just completed a 600 mile trip with absolutely no problems on the drive up the California Coast.

The car also comes with its 2.4 liter owner’s manual, jack and tool kit, along with the original spare wheel and new spare tire. Between 1969 and 1972 Fiat made about 5 million cars but only 424 Fiat 2.4 Dino Spiders were ever made. Production of the Fiat Dino 2.4 spider was almost 1/8th of that of the 246 GT and GTS models, yet had basically identical power plants. The 2.4 Fiat Dino is the only 246 Ferrari-engined true convertible as opposed to the Targa-top Dinos. Rarest of all the breeds, even rarer than the Lancia Stratos. It makes perfect sense that they have attracted the attention of some of the world’s most perceptive collectors.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608