Early Production Car: 1967 Fiat Dino
The Fiat Dino is one of those cars that seems quite special to own yet surprisingly affordable to buy. Mind you, restoring one of these is practically as expensive as any piece of Italian exotica, but unlike a barn find Daytona, you won’t have to shell out six-figures to buy a total project like this. The Dino is an early production model with its matching-numbers Ferrari 2.0L V6 still in place. Find it here on eBay with bidding approaching $3K and the reserve unmet.
It’s safe to say this Dino sat in the sun for many years, given the paint is completely burnt off and the interior completely ravaged. Still, that’s an easier starting point than a complete rust bucket like some of the Dinos tend to be, and I wouldn’t even be offended by the paint job. The seats and dashboard, on the other hand, will require a good amount of spending to set right. All glass looks good.
The body really does look to be in the sort of shape where it can be scuffed up and painted – however, the seller says there is “…rust all around,” but doesn’t elaborate as to whether he is speaking of surface rust or deeper rot not visible in these pictures. Wherever it sat, it apparently was hot enough the colors were burnt right off of the taillamp lenses. The floors are said to be solid as well.
The engine still turns freely and the transmission goes into gear. The seller notes that the Dino comes with a solid frame and clean New Jersey title. If it’s been in the northeast all of its life, a thorough undercarriage inspection is a must. The Dino may not be the collector’s item many sellers want it to be, but it still seems like a smart car to buy given how valuable vintage Ferraris will likely forever remain.
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Comments
No engine pictures, no underside pictures. Not a great way to sell a Fiat…..
Oddest car moment ever for me was on my way home from work in a snowstorm, stopped for a light and a Dino convertible went left to right across my front. CT plates, I’m in NY. Headed for the ferry I guess but really?
Many years ago, I had a friend that was a Fiat salesman, and he brought home a Fiat Dino like this. To say the ride was exhilarating, would be an understatement. It was a fantastic car. To see one like this makes me want to puke.
@Jeff ….. Really… ??? you would scuff, and then paint over the rust ???? I am appalled you would suggest that. Have you painted cars before ( I guess not ) ???
” body really does look to be in the sort of shape where it can be scuffed up and painted – ”
Ridiculous !
Dave at OldSchool Restorations. Not speaking for Jeff, but I seriously doubt his belief is to simply scuff it up and shoot some paint on it. Just calm down, we know you’re more of an expert in this than most of us. Certainly me. Enjoy the old cars posted, life’s too short.
It appears the body was ALREADY scuffed up in preparation for paint — about 25 years ago!
i’d rub it down with linseed oil, wrap the seats and dash with about 20 rolls of duct tape (or maybe just sheepskin seat covers), sort out the brakes, change the oil and rubber lines and enjoy the heck out of it as-is.
i really would love to be able to do that…
Not linseed oil, Jerry….cosmoline !
It was my distinct pleasure to see these in magazines before going to Europe in ’67, and then to experience both this model and the convertible. I’m more partial to a closed vehicle for my own reasons, but, to me, the ‘vert had a nicer grille and rear treatment. As “Rube Goldberg” said, ride was exhilarating ! The price would take a young Officers breath away too… so I kept my new American car. I hope whomever buys this one brings it back and actually drives it !
Even though the car is rusted it doesn’t look like there’s holes in it!! It seems like surface rust but I would love to see the underside!!!
I bought a Lancia Flaminia with similar looking rust. I loved that car but my god, the rust. It just couldn’t be saved. It’s not what the outside shows, it’s what you don’t see on the inside.
My Bob cousin owned one of these back in the mod 1970’s. Parts had to be ordered from Italy and it took 6 months to get them here. He broke a goose neck fitting (radiator hose) and since it was “not available” he needed the machine shop at a local factory to mill one out of a block of aluminum (his father was the shop foreman.) Bobby, said this car was the poster child for the
“Two happiest days were when I bought it, and when I sold it” observation. Still, it looked real neat, and it *did* have a Ferrari engine up front!!
There is no way its been a New Jersey car all its life ; there wouldn’t be anything left of it ! The fried interior gives the impression this car sat outside somewhere out west for many years and recently brought to the east coast
wow. a lot of surface rust.