The title may seem like a provocation, but in reality it perfectly reflects reality. There is, in fact, one Fiat derived from Ferrari. We are of course talking about the Fiat Dino, produced by the Turin company between 1966 and 1972 in two versions: Coupé (by Bertone) and Spider (by Pininfarina). The first to be presented to the world was the spider variant, which saw the light on 3 November 1966 at the Turin motor show. For the coupé, however, the Geneva Motor Show was chosen, on 9 March 1967. Today a splendid 1971 spider example of this model ended up at auction on the well-known specialized portal RM Sotheby’s, but let’s proceed in order.
Why did Ferrari decide to “rely” on Fiat for the production of this model? The truth lies in motorsport and the regulations of participation in Formula 2 for the Ferrari Dino 166 F2. To obtain approval to participate in the championship, in fact, the Maranello company needed to quickly build a sufficient number of Dino engines (so called given that they were derived from a 1956 project by Enzo Ferrari’s son, Alfredo, known as Dino, who died prematurely). At that point an agreement was born between Fiat and Ferrari for an industrial alliance which envisaged the production of 500 engines in 12 months, so as to reach the quota required to participate in the F2 championship, in view of the new regulations that would come into force in 1967.
Two cars, one soul
The technical sharing between Ferrari and Fiat was more or less linked in a particular way to the V6 engine. The Fiat Dino certainly had an expensive cost, but was lower than that of the Ferraris of the time. Its design, however, was very similar to that of Maranello’s cars given that the spider version was designed by Pininfarina, who collaborated with the Prancing Horse. The so-called Ferrari version (the Dino 206 GT), however, was marketed with the Dino brand and did not bear the classic Cavallino logo, which was instead reserved only for Ferraris with 12-cylinder engines.
Crazy auction for this Fiat Dino
One appeared on the specialized auction portal RM Sotheby’s for some time Fiat Dino 2400 Spider from 1971chassis 1396. Specifically, it is one of approximately 425 units equipped with the upgraded 2.4-liter Ferrari V6 engine. Purchased in Italy it remained there at least until the mid-1980s. It was imported into the United States in 2014. In the following years it underwent restoration, which involved the reconstruction of the engine, transmission, differential, suspension and braking system.
Finished in elegant Amaranto (162) with beige vinyl trim and fitted with Campagnolo alloy wheels. This car also comes with a rare factory hardtop. Sold with Italian registration document, set of spare wheels with tires and set of restoration invoices. Up for auction on RM Sotheby’s it was sold for 335,000 dollars, which at the current exchange rate is equivalent to approximately 284,000 euros. A certainly important figure for one of the most popular Italian cars in our country and abroad. A fortunate collaboration between Fiat and Ferrari, which as we know led to the definitive entry of the Prancing Horse into the Turin company’s Group starting from 1969.
Related News :