1973 Fiat Dino

Highlights

  • Imported from Italy in 2013
  • In current ownership since 2016
  • Extensive mechanical work
  • Recently rechromed

The Appeal

Designed around the Ferrari-developed Dino V6 engine, the Fiat Dino is a fascinating piece of history. The requirement of Formula 2 at the time was that engines were derived from those fitted to production cars. The result was a Ferrari-performer in all but name - a nifty, tight-handling, speedy little sports car that became a much-loved component of Fiat’s eclectic heritage. 
This example, imported to the UK in 2013, comes to us with plenty of mechanical work carried out and a pleasant rechroming job. The result is a superb example with only cosmetic work required to bring it to top-notch quality.



The History and Paperwork

  • First imported in 2013 from Italy
  • Purchased by the current owner in 2016
  • Since then, it’s always been dry stored, and occasionally used as a wedding car
  • The car is now MOT exempt, but was reportedly MOT tested in 2017 
  • Car indicates 21,418km on a five-figure odometer
  • Sadly we can’t guarantee this as an authentic mileage
  • The car’s paperwork file includes:
    • Some original Italian service paperwork
    • A selection of invoices
    • Original email correspondence
    • 2013 MOT certificate
    • A photocopy of the Fiat Dino Servicing booklet
    • V5c document

The Interior

  • Stylish Bertone interior with wood veneers and black leather upholstery
  • Original period Veglia instruments, including the car’s original radio
  • Wood-trimmed Fiat branded steering wheel
  • Brand new carpets
The stylish, compact little cabin of this Dino has Bertone’s name and practices all over it - a sleekly designed, simple but nicely appointed interior that captures the best in 70s design. An angular, beautifully presented wooden dash, festooned with period instruments and sitting over black leather seats, the 70s milieu is completed with an attractive set of red carpets.
This example is nicely presented throughout, with the original features on full display. It’s a remarkable survivor, with only the lightest signs of patina across the board. The rich leather seats are free of rips and tears with an attractive grain, and look very supple and comfortable.  
The same can be said for the sleek door cards, and the newly fitted - professionally made - carpets, which look free of major signs of wear and contrast beautifully against the light headlining, which shows only minor signs of age-commensurate discolouration. 
The instruments are all working well, save for the driver’s side electric window, which tends to be a little intermittent. The steering wheel is in good order, all of the dials are clean and easy to read, and the Bertone branding is firmly on display. The eye-catching steering wheel is a practically striking feature. 
The boot is in good order, complete with a full size spare alloy wheel and a full toolkit.



The Exterior 

  • Impressive red paintwork in good period condition
  • Recently rechromed bumpers make for a fabulous contrast
  • Original branded wheels
The compact aesthetics of the Dino are as endearing as its history, and prove just how design-led the Italians were during this era. The short nose flows beautifully into an extended, curvy cabin, sitting with a slightly downward-facing front end that’s perfectly simple - and to many enthusiasts, simply perfect. 
The paintwork was replenished in 2014, but is now beginning to show a few more signs of age. There’s the odd stone chip and a spot of corrosion or two to the boot and bonnet, with a few more marks around the car’s arches and lower extremities. 
The bumpers were recently rechromed and look utterly superb, while the rest of the metal trim is nicely presented. The Fiat-Bertone branding really looks the part across the board, with no missing badges and only a light level of age-commensurate patina. 
The lenses and glasswork are in good order, with no chips, cracks or fractures, and the car is sitting proudly on a full set of branded, original alloy wheels - which are, in turn, wearing a good set of Vredestein tyres. There are a few light paint losses to the alloys, but it’s far from detracting from the car’s overall appearance. 
We understand the car’s underside to be in fine fettle, with no reports of significant corrosion from the vendor. 


The Mechanics 

  • Powered by the 2.4-litre Dino V6 engine
  • All-synchromesh 5-speed manual transmission
  • Highly presented engine bay with only age-commensurate wear
  • No reports of any leaks, knocks, bangs or smoke from the engine bay
  • Work carried out since 2016 includes:
    • Refurbished brake callipers with new pistons and seals
    • Flushed brake and clutch fluid
    • Replacement wiper motor
    • Drained and flushed fuel tank
    • Cleaned out carburettors
    • Oil and filter change
The Dino V6 shows a very impressive level of mechanical care under the bonnet, and seems to be in excellent working order. We haven’t received any reports of leaks, smoke or knocks from the powerplant, and the car is reportedly starting ‘on the button’. 
The vendor does note that new steering joints could be required, as there’s a mite too much play in the steering, but that this distinctive Dino is otherwise in great mechanical order.



Summary

Comfortable, cossetting, and nicely appointed, this Fiat Dino is a highly presented time capsule to another age of all-Italian motoring - but is far from prehistoric in performance. (We managed to go nearly the entire listing without Dino jokes…)

Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only. Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
All bidding, buying and offers are subject to our Terms and Conditions.

Please see our FAQs here and our Terms & Conditions here

Vehicle specification
  • Year 1973
  • Make Fiat
  • Model Dino
  • Colour red
  • Odometer 21,418 Kilometres
  • Engine size 2418
Auction Details
  • Seller Type Private
  • Town Colchester
  • Location Essex
  • Country United Kingdom
Bidding history
30 bids
  • PP•••• £35,000 31/05/23
  • da•••• £34,500 31/05/23
  • PP•••• £34,000 31/05/23
  • da•••• £33,000 31/05/23
  • PP•••• £32,000 31/05/23
  • da•••• £30,000 31/05/23
  • sl•••• £29,500 31/05/23
  • da•••• £29,000 31/05/23
  • sl•••• £28,500 31/05/23
  • tr•••• £27,500 31/05/23
Message C&C Auction Team

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