"In the early 1960s, Ferrari needed a two litre production-based engine for the new Formula 2 and conceived the mid-engined Dino to provide the necessary basis. Faced with the daunting task of building 500 units per annum to meet homologation requirements, Ferrari turned to Fiat for assistance; the resulting agreement, for the latter, to build the Dino's four-cam V6 engine lead to a spin-off model for Fiat. The Fiat Dino was introduced at the Turin Motor Show in 1966, alongside the Dino Berlinetta GT, later to become the Ferrari Dino 246. Powered by a shared four camshaft, two litre, V6 engine, both cars benefitted from a racing pedigree that went back to Ferrari's Dino 166P sports-racing unit and their 246 Grand Prix engine. The V6 engine's capacity was increased to 2,418cc in 1969 when a ZF five-speed gearbox and trailing-arm independent rear suspension were among many improvements adopted. The Dino model was built as either a Bertone designed coupé or a sleek Spider from Pininfarina. The Fiat Dino raced to 60mph in around seven seconds and could exceed 130mph whilst making all the right Ferrari-esque noises.
First registered in January 1971, this impeccably turned out Dino Coupé is offered in the original factory colour of ‘Azzuro Metallizzato’ blue paintwork with beige trim. It has recently undergone a full, photographically recorded, cosmetic restoration in Italy and a full mechanical restoration by the leading marque specialist, Mark Devaney, of 24 Hundred the Dino workshop, and as such, presents as well as any Fiat Dino we have seen. It is easy to see why the model featured in a recent article titled ‘Quentin Wilson’s smart buys of 2019’ in fact the car pictured next to the famous motoring journalist is BRM 831J. Quentin states that ‘a well restored coupé is something very disarming indeed’ and we tend to agree with him, this stunning example certainly fits the bill. Offered to auction with a V5C registration document, this Fiat Dino is, in our opinion, the finest example available in today’s market. This is a very well priced example and is a car that can rightfully claim to have a slice of Ferrari under the bonnet!"