Fiat Dino

De Fiat dino (Type 135) is a rear-wheel drive sports car produced between 1966 and 1973. It was an intermediate model on the way to the creation of the Ferrari “Dino”, which often causes confusion between the two models. The Fiat Dino was intended to ensure that Ferrari achieved the necessary production numbers to be allowed to race. The Fiat Dino Spider was first shown at the Turin Motor Show in 1966. The coupé version was unveiled a year later at the Geneva Motor Show.

Fiat dino

History and background of the Fiat Dino

Ferrari launched its first line of mid-engined cars in 1968, selling them under the name "Dino," without the "Ferrari" name. The original intention was to give all V6 cars this name, as a tribute to Alfredo Ferrari, Ferrari's son, who had died at the age of 24. However, the brand wasn't accepted by American Ferrari dealers, and so Fiat Dinos and Ferrari Dinos were created. The Dino 206 GT and 246 GT & GTS were equipped with engines identical to those in the Fiats, while the later 308 GT4 received its own V8 and was renamed "Ferrari" in 1976, thus ending the use of the "Dino" name as a trademark.

The story of the Fiat Dino does not begin in Turin, but in Maranello. In 1966, Ferrari had to homologate a series-production car for Formula 2. This meant that at least 500 road engines with the same specifications had to be built. Now, Ferrari did not exactly have the production capacity for this itself, so they turned to its sister company, Fiat. The deal was simple: Fiat would build the V6 engine, Ferrari would receive the homologation, and Fiat would be allowed to use the engine in its own sports car. This is how the Fiat Dino was born – a sporty coupe and convertible with a beating Ferrari heart.

The engine was a gem: a 2.0-liter V6 designed by the legendary Dino Ferrari, son of Enzo. Hence the name 'Dino', a tribute to the designer who died young. The Fiat Dino was introduced in 1967 and was available as a Spider (designed by Pininfarina) and as a Coupé (designed by Bertone). Two totally different characters: the Spider elegant and sensual, the Coupé somewhat more angular and businesslike – a bit like Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni going on a road trip together.

In 1969, the Fiat Dino received a 3.0-liter V6, directly derived from the Ferrari Dino 246. With this, the car grew into a true GT: more powerful, faster, and more luxurious. Production ran until 1973, after which the oil crisis and stricter emission regulations brought the party to a premature end. But what remained was one of the finest collaborations in Italian automotive history – a Fiat with Ferrari technology and a soul that belonged more at the Mille Miglia than in the local supermarket parking lot.

Design and interior

The Fiat Dino Spider was without a doubt one of the most beautiful open sports cars of its time. Pininfarina gave it flowing lines, a low nose, and an elegant rear end with subtle curves. With the roof open, you could see exactly why Italians believe driving is an emotion: the proportions were perfect, the seating position sportily low, and the nose long enough to impress without being ostentatious.

The Coupé, on the other hand, had much sleeker lines, with sharp angles and a more businesslike appearance. Bertone's design fit better with the idea of ​​a 'Gran Turismo' – a car in which you drove comfortably from Turin to the Côte d'Azur without breaking your back along the way.

Inside, everything exuded luxury and craftsmanship. Wood veneer, deep gauges, chrome details, and seats that looked like they came from a chic salon rather than a factory. The Coupé's dashboard was downright spectacular for its time, with seven gauges and a center console that felt almost cockpit-like. This was a Fiat that dared to take the comparison to Ferrari, not only in terms of engine performance but also in terms of appearance.

Model variants

• Fiat Dino Spider 2.0 (1967–1969) – the original open variant with a 2-liter Ferrari V6.
• Fiat Dino Coupé 2.0 (1967–1969) – sporty closed version by Bertone.
• Fiat Dino Spider 3.0 (1969–1972) – more powerful, more mature version with a 3-liter V6.
• Fiat Dino Coupé 3.0 (1969–1973) – the ultimate Gran Turismo, with improved chassis and extra luxury interior.

Fiat Dino Spider

The Fiat Dino Spider was launched with a 2,0-liter V6 engine producing 160 hp, served by a 5-speed manual transmission. The same 2,0-liter engine was used in the Ferrari Dino 206 GT during the same period.

1966 Fiat Dino Spider

The Fiat Dino Spider and Coupé had 160 hp, while the Ferrari dino The 1967 model with the 180 hp Dino 206 GT engine was supposed to be supplied by the iconic brand from Maranello. However, this was not the case. Both engines were made by Fiat workers in Turin on the same production line and were therefore completely identical.

The model was available with two body types: the Spider by Pininfarina and the Coupé designed by Bertone. The most common 2,0-liter cars were assembled by Fiat, while the 2,4-liter cars were assembled by Ferrari in Maranello. A total of 7.803 vehicles were produced, of which a quarter were Spiders and three-quarters Coupés.

Competitors

The Fiat Dino played in an interesting class: too cheap to truly compete with Ferrari, but too expensive and too exotic for the average Alfa Romeo driver. Its natural rivals were the Alfa Romeo GTV 1750, Lancia Fulvia HF, Triumph GT6, and Porsche 911 T. It could keep up with each and every one of them, but offered more comfort and style.

The Fiat Dino received no direct successor, although the Fiat 130 Coupé can be seen as its spiritual heir. It was more luxurious, heavier, and less sporty, but embodied the same Gran Turismo philosophy. The collaboration with Ferrari ended, but the legend of the Dino name lived on in the Ferrari Dino 206 and 246 GT.