“It’s a long walk back to England, and it’s that-a-way…”
So ends the opening scene of the iconic move The Italian Job, as Mafia boss Altabani walks away from three wrecked British cars and gets behind the wheel of his Bertone-styled coupé.
The car was the definition of style itself and was a Fiat Dino 2400 Coupé, a car that was as much of a work of art as the movie itself.
Prompted by competition requirements and named after Enzo Ferrari’s son, the Fiat Dino originated from an agreement between Ferrari and Fiat to produce a spider and a coupé that were designed and assembled by two great Turin coachbuilders.
In the mid-Sixties, Ferrari needed to homologate an engine for its Formula 2 racing cars, leading to a manufacturing agreement with Fiat for the supply of 500 “Dino” V6 engines, named in honour of Enzo Ferrari’s son, who died prematurely after having contributed to their design.
Around this sophisticated new two-litre V6 engine, Fiat decided to produce two sports cars. In 1966, Pininfarina was commissioned to create the Spider, and the following year Bertone presented the Coupé.
The latter was a four-seater with a longer wheelbase than the Spider, making it slightly heavier and slower, but it was instantly more popular on the market – due in no small part to its incredible looks.
And here is a rare opportunity to own one – a stunning restored 1971 car, even more beautiful today than it was when it was new. So good is this example, it was featured in an episode of the popular program 'Car SOS' to showcase a fully restored example of a 2400 Coupe, while Tim and Fuzz were restoring one their own one for the episode.
The Dino has been part of a private collection for the past few years, having been purchased by an enthusiast who had always wanted one.
He’s now slimming down his substantial collection of classics cars as the storage space is required for business purposes, while he is also spending an increasing amount of time in California so can’t really use them.
The car has been maintained by his own mechanic, employed to look after his vehicles, who is handling the sale on his behalf.
In total, the Fiat has had three owners in the UK and was originally an Italian car. It comes with an original handbook and some old brochures and advertising materials.
In typically Italian style, the cabin of the Dino is as stylish as the exterior, with high-backed leather sports seats, a gorgeous three-spoke sports steering wheel, wooden fillets inside the dashboard and a beautiful six-dial instrument binnacle.
It’s in fine order, the seats having been retrimmed to the original pattern in supple black leather. The door cards are equally smart, as are the thick carpets throughout.
Finished in its original smart metallic blue, the Dino looks fantastic from every possible angle.
Bertone’s design is simply beautiful – slab-sided and square-nosed, with an unmistakably beautiful profile. It’s one of the best-looking cars ever.
This one is all the better for having been restored some time ago and cared for diligently since, dry-stored and never used in wet weather. The body is structurally excellent, the paint is really good and the underside appears completely solid.
Under the bonnet is the heart of a Ferrari – the very same engine, in fact, as the Ferrari Dino 246GT.
The conventional layout in the Fiat consisted of a longitudinal front engine coupled to a five-speed gearbox, a Getrag unit with a dogleg first gear.
The independent front suspension is coil sprung, whereas the rigid rear axle is supported on single leaf springs, but it’s still said to handle well, while stopping power comes from disc brakes on all four wheels.
Having been diligently serviced and maintained, it’s no surprise to find that the Dino starts and runs very well indeed and is reported to drive with no problems at all.
Ferraris go for rather exuberant sums today, especially classic ones.
But here’s a car with the heart of the Ferrari and looks to drive you crazy that promises to be a bit more affordable but no less exclusive.
It’s a wonderful thing in truly stunning condition.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
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1971 Fiat Dino 2400 Coupé
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