Fiat Dino

Infobox Automobile


name = Fiat Dino
aka =
manufacturer = Fiat
parent_company =
production = 1966–1973
predecessor = Fiat 2300 Coupé S
successor =
class = Sports car
platform =
layout = FR layout
body_style = 2-door Coupe
2-door Spider
engine = 2.0 L V6 (1966-1969)
2.4 L V6 (1969-1973)
transmission = 5-speed manual
wheelbase = Auto mm|2550
length = Coupe:Auto mm|4507
Spider:Auto mm|4237
width = Auto mm|1709 1709 mm
height = Coupe:Auto mm|1315
Spider:Auto mm|1245-Auto mm|1270
front_track =
rear_track =
weight = Coupe:1270–1380 kg
(2799-3042 lb)
Spider:1150–1240 kg
(2535-2733 lb)
fuel_economy =
fuel_capacity =
related = Dino 206 GT
Dino 246 GT & GTS
similar =
designer = Pininfarina (Spider)
Giorgetto Giugiaro at Bertone (Coupe)Cite web|url=http://www.europeancarweb.com/features/0203ec_italdesign_giugiaro/index.html|title=Italdesign Giugiaro|accessdate=2007-09-24|work=europeancarweb.com]

The Fiat Dino is a front-engined, rear-drive sports car manufactured between 1966 and 1973. It was an intermediate step towards creating Ferrari's "Dino" and the two are often confused. The Fiat Dino allowed Ferrari to achieve the necessary production numbers to homologate Alfredo Ferrari's V6 engine for Formula 2 racing.The Fiat Dino Spider was introduced at Turin Motor Show 1966 and Coupe version one year later at Geneva Motorshow.

Ferrari started its first line of mid-engined cars in 1968 and sold them under the brand name of "Dino". The Dino 206 GT and Dino 246 GT & GTS were equipped with engines identical to those used in the Fiats; the later Dino 308 GT4 had an unrelated V8 and was rebranded "Ferrari" in 1976, thus ending the use of the "Dino" trademark.The car was first offered with a 2.0-liter, 160 horsepower V-6, with a 5-speed manual transmission. This engine was later enlarged to a 2.4-liter, 180 horsepower unit in 1969. The Fiat Dino was originally equipped with a live axle suspended by leaf springs, but later examples used a coil-sprung independent rear suspension similar to that of the Fiat 130. Performance was impressive, with a 0-60 mph time of less than 8 seconds. Fuel was delivered via three Weber 40DCNF carburetors. Two body designs were made for Fiat - a Pininfarina spider and a Bertone coupe, they also manufactured these cars.

Buying a Dino is inexpensive (pristine 1967 examples would auction for about $16,000 in the United States in 2001), and the cars are relatively reliable. They are expensive to maintain given their scarcity of parts as well as mechanics knowledgeable of them. The Dino was never sold officially in the United States, although many people imported them. It was discontinued in 1973.

A Dino was seen in "Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo", painted red with few other decals besides a black numeral '5'.A Fiat Dino was also seen in the original version of 'The Italian Job' driven by the Italian Mafia boss, painted in Black.

Engines

*2.0 DOHC V6 65° (aluminium block), 1987 cc, Auto PS|160 PS @7200 rpm, 163 Nm @6000 rpm
*2.4 DOHC V6, (cast iron block), 2418 cc, Auto PS|180 @6600 rpm, 216 Nm @4600 rpm (1969)

Notes

References

*
* Don Weberg, "Great Save: The Dino Project Kept Ferrari Racing and Gave Fiat a True Exotic", "Classic Motorsports," November, 2005. Page 73.
*