There are some cars that get a pass no matter how trashed they are when discovered. What I mean to say is that they will be restored no matter what, just given the rarity or desirability factor. Obviously, everything that is a vintage Ferrari or Lamborghini falls into this category with few exceptions, so taking in this very tired 1968 Fiat Dino Spider makes me wonder where this “bargain” exotic will end up when the hammer falls. The Dino is the convertible model and comes with a rare factory hardtop (I have literally never seen one of these) but it will require total restoration. Find it here on the Historics Auctioneers website where it’s set to go to auction on May 21.
Wow – I doubt the Dino was found in this post-apocalyptic landscape, but it’s certainly fitting for a car in this kind of condition. I thought at first it was still sitting in the fire-scorched barn it was found in, but this photoshoot is almost certainly staged. It’s hard to tell exactly what happened to this Dino other than years of neglect and potentially being near a fire at one point in time, but it’s also possible it just sat out in the sun for decades which is what caused the paint to burn off. However, that doesn’t explain why the windshield frame has gone missing or why the dashboard is several pounds lighter than it used to be.
I don’t want to call it a fire victim because the listing doesn’t confirm nor deny such a scenario but it sure looks like a fire started at one time – but again, there’s an argument that can be made for multiple brutal years of sun exposure. Anyhow, you’re going to spend a fair amount of time sourcing rare and obsolete parts to put this Dino back together, which brings me back to my original point as to how much of an investment can you justify here considering the Fiat-branded Ferrari has historically been less desirable? Or do you look at it as the cheapest way into Ferrari Dino ownership, considering the price of those cars is now well into the six figures for a project?
The hardtop is quite a find and that alone may drive some interest in the car. I wonder if a Dino owner would look at this as a sensible purchase for a parts car with the factory hardtop as an added bonus? The seller notes that despite the carnage outside, the 2L V6 engine still turns freely by hand and that the car has never been welded, suggesting the original body panels have never been altered or otherwise damaged to the point of needing replacement. The listing also notes many original parts are included, so perhaps you won’t be starting as much from scratch as you may think looking at the photos. What do you think this Pininfarina-designed Spider will sell for?
This project is not for the feint of heart rather one for a professional to commit and restore for someone to enjoy his beautiful classic again. I remember even back in the 90’s when the Fiat Dino coupe was not a big thing in the publics mind the Spiders were something special and exotic. Something stick in my mind they were in the 50’s when a air-cooled 911 was in the teens to own. I have heard the 2 liter has a wonderful personality as well as the later 2.4. The Ferrari Dino I drove had the 2.4 and made all the right noises.
Is a feint of heart like the Artful Dodger?
Once again I will quote Dale Gribble ” Fix It Again Tony”.
No. Crusher. Not even Tony could fix it.
In my opinion only a real FIAT Dino restorer should tackle this project, and only after very carefully assessing if even a small profit could be made. I would say that the jury is out on whether this car is economically viable as a restoration candidate. An amateur will leave his/her shirt in this project, but it will probably sell, as there are always people who will make a a decision to buy based on emotion.
Today a FIAT Dino is worth close to a third of what its Dino Ferrari counterpart fetches in the same condition…mainly due to being a FIAT…even though it has just about as much Ferrari DNA as its Dino Ferrari stablemate.
Its looks are a bit controversial, in that from the front and the rear it looks nice–especially from the front. The profile, however, is a bit more rustic/bland.
In Europe, particularly in France and Italy, these FIAT Dinos were stereotyped in their day as a “gigolo’s car”. Nowadays not too many gigoloes would be able to afford one.
Rw- Fine Integration of Art and Technology.
The description states that it is “presented in barn find condition”. A nice descriptive way to avoid saying that its been toasted in a fire. Didn’t people rip the motors out of these things for other projects if they were not in mint perfect condition?
Sun exposure? Maybe on the surface of the sun…
Mill Middle School, Williamsville, NY 1968. My friend Pamela’s dad owned an aerospace parts company which in the late 1960’s was a licence to print money. He owned a Dino. He would pick his daughter up after school. When I would join Pamela on the ride to her house she had to sit on my lap. I was always sorry they didn’t live 25 miles from Mill Middle School.
and new bright shiny sparking plug leads
Heat and body panels. A body mans night mare if its even possible. I would never own a vehicle with extensive fire damage.
A few years ago in a friend´s vintage Alfa workshop, a beautiful red Dino convertible took up residency for a while. It was bodiily restored and complete, nicely done in Italy. The only problem was, someone had stolen most of its mechanical parts while they were out of the car, awaiting re-assembly.
That would make sense of this offer. Not much else will……
this looks like some of the stuff I got out of a local yard in the mid ’60s and early 70s. Goldie’s was an Italian car grave yard. Buy one, get fenders, etc from others, wrench a lill, have a car to sell U could drive awhile for free. One U could never afford otherwise, use that to buy the nxt lill jewel that caught ur eye. Laughed at by friends who’s parents bought them the muscle, I traded cars as much as they did girls while I had the same steady all thru that era. Friday nite meant the 1/4 down by the hospital. I kept away from the competition but all ways beat them home (twisties) when the cops showed up. Lota rural memories of an area consumed now, by infill. Shame~
Wow. Scary
It will be a challenge to export this car from Mariupol.
Not for the faint of heart either ;) Fix It Alla Time
How sad, i think this is beyond hope.
It’s like a local politician who just got voted out-a hot mess!
Nothing a little rubbing compound and a stick of tnt can’t repair
We could have bought a later bigger engine v6 – 3 carb Dino back in the ‘80s for a pricey $5k. They are six figure cars now…
Calling Dennis Collins..
I’ve been involved in handling several fire damaged vintage cars, as well as having had not one, but two, lightning-caused building fires that destroyed many vehicles. I can tell from experience this is NOT fire damage, it’s serious solar damage. The interior of the barn appears to have some grey powder, likely fertilizer or lime, as it’s far too light grey to be ash.
So while this car is currently in England, I have spent 30+ years buying and selling various vintage British cars, and spent a lot of time searching for rare cars in the UK, so I’m sure there isn’t a single location in the United Kingdom that has a desert-climate needed to cause this type of damage. This had to have been stored outside in a much drier and sunnier European climate, perhaps Spain?
No its been in Solihull since 1976 and then in Kent for the last 6 months. It’s only had two UK owners and I can tell you the whole history of the car since 1976.
Sold for 16,800 pounds which, according to the Google machine, equals $20,980! Looks to me like it had an electrical fire under the dash, just my $.02. Probably bought for parts.
Sold – £16,800
And I noticed that Jeff didn’t give me credit for sending this tip to you all.