1968 Fiat Dino 2.0 Coupé

• Bertone-designed matching numbers sixties sports Coupe
• Smartly presented in Grigio Chiaro with a lovely Rosso interior
• Imported into the UK in 1989 and with our vendor for the last ten years
• Full body restoration within the last two years
• Impressive performance with the melody of a Dino V6 capable of over 8000rpm
• Supplied with its original handbook, service invoices, MOT certificates and a full and detailed photographic record of the rebuild
• A great opportunity that connoisseurs will truly appreciate

In the mid-1960s, Ferrari needed a 2.0-litre production-based engine for their new Formula 2 and conceived the mid-engined Dino 206 to provide the necessary basis. Since the late 1950s, Ferrari's V6-engined sports-racers had used the Dino name, after Enzo Ferrari's late son, Alfredino, who had died in 1956, and this was duly applied to the new road car. Indeed, at this time it was intended that it would be the first of an entirely separate marque. The new V6 power unit would prove as successful on the racetrack as in the showroom: Derek Bell and Ernesto Brambilla both winning races in the European Championship, while Andrea de Adamich triumphed in the 1968 Argentine Temporada series. However, faced with the daunting task of building 500 units per annum to meet the FIA's homologation requirements, Ferrari turned to FIAT for assistance, the resulting agreement for the latter to build the Dino's four-cam V6 engine leading to a spin-off model for FIAT. Launched in Pininfarina-bodied two-seater Spider form at the 1966 Turin Show, the FIAT Dino carried its 2.0-litre, 160bhp engine ahead of the driver in a conventional manner, and was notable as the first FIAT to employ four overhead camshafts and a limited-slip differential as standard. Steel bodied, the newcomer employed a FIAT five-speed gearbox and featured independent front suspension by means of wishbones and coil springs, a live rear axle, and disc brakes all round. A longer-wheelbase 2+2 Coupe model with Giorgetto Giugiaro-penned Bertone coachwork appeared the following year at the Geneva Salon and was much-acclaimed for its good looks and clever design.

Finished in Grigio Chiaro with a Rosso interior, this matching numbers, left-hand drive Dino arrived in the UK from Italy in 1989 and has remained in the hands of its present custodian for the last ten years sharing garage space with numerous examples of exotica.

Eventually, in need of some 'TLC', the decision was taken to restore and commission this rare and attractive Fiat, giving it a new lease of life that it quite rightly deserved. Totally stripped to bare metal, the body shell has been completely restored as required and refinished, within the last two years, to a very high standard. The engine, which received a partial rebuild in 1991, was checked before being detailed and reinstalled in the refinished engine bay with the only upgrade being the fitting of a later Dino ignition system replacing the questionable and original Magneti Marelli 'Dinoplex C' system which has been retained should anyone wish to revert in the future for the sake of originality. Internally, the cabin space remains largely original and in excellent order throughout, the carpets have just been renewed.

Accompanying the Dino is an interesting history file comprising an original handbook, service invoices, MOT Certificates and a full and detailed photographic record of the rebuild. Our client has advised that a fresh MOT Certificate will be provided presale.

Rapidly increasing in popularity with stylish good looks that have stood the test of time and a Ferrari V6 all-aluminium power plant, this is one Italian GT that will grace any collection, crying out to be fully enjoyed and used as intended once again.