Fiat Dino

["Andrew Watry"<andrew.watry@xxxxxxxxxx>]

     The Fiat Dino Spider had a Pininfarina body, very swoopy and curvy, 
     and the Coupe had a more squared off Bertone body, looking (to me) 
     something like a giant Fiat 850 Coupe or a later Audi Coupe.  As I 
     understand it, early cars (up to 68?) had a 2.0 engine and a live rear 
     axle; later cars had a 2.4 engine and independent rear suspension.  I 
     believe all the Fiat Dinos had cast iron blocks?  All have a 5-speed 
     Fiat (I believe) trans, and Dunlop-style disk brakes (perhaps made 
     under license?)  Cromodora mags 5-lug mags seem to be standard.
     
     In my view, the Coupe looked and felt like a Fiat, while the Spider 
     looked and felt like a Ferrari (this is not to slam the Coupe; just to 
     point out what looks like family resemblance).  This seems reflected 
     in the market prices too.  At least in California, Coupe prices seem 
     about half Spider prices.  I have seen any number of Coupes for around 
     $5000, but have rarely seen Spiders for under $10,000.  There seem to 
     be a lot more Coupes for sale.  Rust, completeness of trim, and parts 
     and service prices are probably the big issues on these cars.  Though 
     most of the cars (California coupes) I've seen have not been rusty, 
     though the interiors have deteriorated in typical Fiat fashion.  These 
     are cars you can get into pretty cheaply (see purchase price above, 
     esp. for coupes), but could be unbelievably costly to own, especially 
     if you can't do your own work.  I wouldn't want to think about the 
     parts prices for a complete Ferrari V-6 rebuild.
     
     Andrew Watry

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