Fantasy Junction

Description

1972 Fiat Dino 2400 Spider
s/n 135BS*0001496*
Red with Black 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 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 or 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, 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.

This particular car, Dino 2.4 Spyder # 1496 was manufactured in late 1971 and sold new to Monsieur Jean Pierre Molon on July 7th, 1972 in Geneva, Switzerland for the sum of 34,000 Fr. Francs. Mr. Molon kept this car until 2015, being the only owner and having covered approximately 15,000 total miles since new. He sent the car back to France in 1977, to the region of Aix-les-Bains, where it remained in garage storage until 2015. This car comes with its original logbook, original title and warranty card, original owner’s manual, service manual, factory sales brochure and invoices as well as the purchase invoice along with its two sets of original keys all in the original folder supplied by the selling Fiat Dealer, “Plantamour Autos S.A”, in Geneva. There is also accompanying photo albums documenting the detail work done to the car, showing the “before and after” results of the work done. It also has its original paint, jack, 22mm lug wrench, jack bag, most of the tools and spare tire. It’s sits on its original Michelin XWX tires that are dated 1970 as well as the original R.I.V. shocks, which are in excellent working condition.

There are some unique things found on the car, like the maintenance tag still attached by a thread to the radiator overflow tank with a maintenance date of 1976, believed to be the last time the car was driven in France. There are some original markings on the top of the differential, transmission, suspension arms and brake hubs that one expert had never seen prior to inspecting this car. Also the rear springs appear to have originally been painted green, another interesting trait that the same expert commented one. The headlight surrounds still have their little rubber screw protectors, which are generally lost the first time someone changes a light bulb, which are the original Carello JOD lights.

Mr. Molon always kept the car maintained and kept it in its complete original condition. There are a few exceptions, including the replacement of four of the six silencers, which were replaced with NOS parts since the original ones had rusted. The two mufflers are original and in excellent condition. The engine compartment still retains the original hoses and clamps as they left the factory some 44 years ago. They still appeared soft and supple, so were not replaced, even the original Pirelli fan belt is still on the car. The decals on the air cleaner, coil, distributor, Dinoplex, washer bottle and regulator are all still there as new and original. The lettering on the ID tag still appears new and un-faded. This car retains the later original, sealed Dinoplex system as was used on the Ferrari Dinos.

The car has never been repainted and shows very minor crazing and a few chips. The interior is as new and original. The factory original soft top appears as new with the special rear zip out window un-faded. The top has some very unique qualities to it never found on reproduction tops, like the FIFI zipper and fob, the special padding at the top where the window meets and the special vinyl used on the vertical ends. The top bows have all their special hardware, screws and rubber bumpers. The carpets, foot pads, the dash, the wood grain, the seats and even the seat foam still appear to be new in its original “snake skin” vinyl. Even under the seats the foam is like new and still pliable. Under the front seats evidence was found of the original plastic covering that came from the factory to protect the carpets before reaching the dealers. It has its original “Autovox” radio and speakers working perfectly as do the clock, city and country horns.

There’s a letter from the “Touring Club of France”, dated Nov. 15th, 1976, which it appears the car left registration in Switzerland and was driven and accepted on July 13th, 1977 in France. In April of 2015 the car was treated to a full tune up which included cleaning of the entire fuel system and brake service by the garage, “de la Poste”, in France.

This Dino was then sent to Los Angeles, California where it went through more than 150 hours of servicing and detailing by a Fiat Dino expert to preserve all the original components of the car to make it a potential “Preservation Winner” at any Concours de Elegance worldwide. No paint touch-ups or undercoating were used, only rust inhibitor solution was used in areas where surface rust was appearing. A transparent, non-silicone, absorbent dressing was used in other areas of the engine compartment, chassis and wheel wells. Great care was used in cleaning all electrical contacts in order to insure that all instruments and components were working properly.

This is a true “time capsule” car and possibly the nicest, low mileage, original Fiat 2.4 Dino Spyder in existence. This car is ready for show and go.

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