Consistently and firmly ranked high among the world’s most beautiful and engaging automobiles ever conceived, the Dino Sports/GT cars of 1967–1974 are the inspired products of changes in Formula 2 racing-homologation requirements enacted by FISA for 1967. While Ferrari’s V-6 racing-engine program of the 1950s and 1960s bore rich fruit with a succession of victories including the 1961 Formula 1 Manufacturers’ Championship, Ferrari was unable to meet F2 production requirements alone. A deal with Italian industrial giant Fiat was the solution, whereby Fiat would produce a Ferrari-designed 2.0-liter V-6 engine – later 2.4 liters – powering Ferrari’s new 206 GT and subsequent 246 GT, plus Fiat’s Pininfarina-built Dino Spider and Bertone-bodied Dino Coupe from 1967.

While virtually identical to the 1967–1969 2.0-liter cars, the 2.4-liter 1969–1973 Fiat Dino 2400 models featured greater all-around driving flexibility with enhanced torque from their larger-displacement V-6 powerplant. Other welcome updates included an independent rear suspension, larger clutch, a new “dogleg” ZF gearbox with revised ratios, wider radial tires, and enlarged brake discs and calipers. Cosmetic revisions included new identification logos, a blacked-out grille, and other details including five-lug wheels. Featuring sinewy, beautifully flowing body lines, the Fiat Dino Spider in particular has firmly emerged from under the shadow of Ferrari’s Dino in the hearts and minds of collectors. Styling and performance aside, these cars are also quite rare with just 1,583 built in total from 1967 through 1973, including just 424 open-air Spiders.

This 1969 Fiat Dino 2400 Spider is quite possibly one of the finest examples in existence and currently available. It was sold new in Italy and remained there until 1972, when it was exported to the US and purchased that year with 11,300 km by Michael Pietrzak of Vail, Colorado. Mr. Pietrzak retained the Dino until 2010, selling it to Texas-based collector David Duthu, who enjoyed the Dino until 2014 when it was acquired by Herve Labesse, a California-based collector who restored it to great effect.

Completely disassembled, stripped, and given a bare-metal repaint, the Dino is simply gorgeous in presentation throughout. In addition to its stunning cosmetics, the Dino is beautifully presented and is in concours-worthy condition underneath, including the suspension and running gear. The potent 2.4-liter V-6 engine was rebuilt as well, including new internal components. Three large binders are included with the sale of this collector-grade Dino 2400 Spider, documenting its history and restoration, plus a photographic file and album containing nearly 500 images of the restoration and a letter from the restorer. Among the documents are a certificate of origin from Fiat Classiche as well as invoices totaling approximately $200,000 in restoration expenses.

Finding a Dino Spider that has undergone such a detailed, high-quality restoration is a rare occurrence indeed.

*Please note that this vehicle is titled as 0001181.