Fiat Dino Spider

The Fiat Dino Spider, designed by Pininfarina, made its debut at the Turin Motor Show in October 1966 as a stylish 2-seater sports car. Shortly thereafter, a 2+2 Coupé variant, built on a 270 mm (10.6 in) longer wheelbase, was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1967. These two models exhibited distinct design philosophies, reflecting the different coachbuilders involved: the Spider was crafted by Pininfarina, while the Coupé was designed by Bertone under the guidance of Giorgetto Giugiaro. A curious aspect of the Spider’s type approval is its designation as a 2+1 seater, despite its layout accommodating only two passengers. Initially, the Spider’s interior fell short of the class standards, featuring vinyl dashboard covering, a metal-spoke steering wheel with a plastic rim, and switchgear borrowed from lower-spec Fiat models. This was rectified in early 1967, with subsequent Spiders receiving a wood-rimmed steering wheel and wood trim on the dashboard, aligning it with the Coupé’s more luxurious interior. The Fiat Dino Spider offered a limited range of options, including a radio, metallic paint, and leather upholstery. Additionally, buyers could opt for a vinyl-covered hardtop with a roll-bar style stainless steel trim. Under the hood, the Spider was equipped with an all-aluminium DOHC 2.0 L V6 engine, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. This same 2.0-liter engine was also used in the mid-engined Ferrari Dino 206 GT, which was introduced in pre-production form at the 1967 Turin Motor Show and went on sale in 1968. Fiat claimed a power output of 160 PS (118 kW; 158 hp) for the Dino Spider, while Ferrari, presenting the first prototype of the Dino 206 GT, cited 180 hp (130 kW). Despite both engines being produced on the same Turin production line, Ferrari’s higher power claim lacked technical foundation, as noted by Jean-Pierre Gabriel in “Les Ferraris de Turin,” highlighting a discrepancy due to different power measurement standards, SAE versus DIN.