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The 1968 Fiat Dino Spider 2000 combined classic Italian styling with Ferrari racing technology. Its V6 engine and beautiful Pininfarina body set it apart as a true enthusiast's car. The story behind its creation is a fascinating chapter in automotive history.
The Fiat Dino Spider’s humble marque name belies its exotic, race-bred and curvaceous body. As values for these Fiats rise rapidly, the roads come alive with the sound of its V6 engine, roaring in its own distinctive language. The driving experience is thrilling, with twisty and challenging roads bringing out the best in the car’s agile chassis and eager engine.
The history of the Dino Spider is rooted in racing regulations. Ferrari was keen to homologate a V6 engine for the 1967 1.6-litre Formula 2, which required production car engines. Ferrari’s low production volumes made this a challenge, so the solution was a collaboration with Fiat. A crucial meeting between Gianni Agnelli of Fiat and Enzo Ferrari resulted in an agreement: Fiat would produce a new road car with a Ferrari-designed V6, ensuring enough units for homologation.
The V6 started as a Vittorio Jano design in 1956 and, under the guidance of Aurelio Lampredi and Franco Rocchi, was developed into a 1987cc unit with twin camshafts per bank and three Weber carburettors, producing 160bhp at 7200rpm. The five-speed manual gearbox was derived from the 2300S coupé. The Dino Spider shared its 2286mm wheelbase platform with a live rear axle and featured vented disc brakes all around with ZF-Gemmer steering.
The bodywork, crafted by Pininfarina, was as beautiful as anything wearing a more exotic badge. Floorpans were sent to Pininfarina for coachbuilding, and the completed shells returned to Fiat for final assembly. The car debuted in late 1966, generating immediate excitement; by the following March, a closed Coupé variant designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro was released, featuring a longer wheelbase and more practical interior.
Production was intermittent at first, with some early runs paused before resuming with updates, including a later iron-block 2419cc engine. But the 1968 Fiat Dino 2000 Spider remains celebrated for its combination of Italian flair, Ferrari V6 performance, and unique place in automotive history.
Specifications (1968 Fiat Dino 2000 Spider):
- Engine: 1987cc V6, DOHC per bank, three Weber 40 DCN 14 carburettors
- Power: 160bhp @ 7200rpm
- Torque: 127lb ft @ 6000rpm
- Transmission: five-speed manual
- Suspension: Front - unequal-length wishbones, coil springs, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar; Rear - live axle, upper radius arms, coil springs, twinned telescopic dampers
- Brakes: discs all around
- Weight: 1150kg
- Top speed: 124mph
