The Dino line, as every car enthusiast should know, started with Ferrari and their-desire to create a different car series without the much desired Ferrari emblem. Years later, the-intention proved to be less successful than the wanted it to be—car sellers and the market in-general refused to accept Dino cars, because they didn’t have the Ferrari prancing stallion-logo. What’s the point of a Ferrari car with the Ferrari insignia? However, the attempt did-produce something amazing—the 1971 Fiat Dino 2400 Spider, a Dino line produced by Fiat, one of-the most powerful conglomerates today. 

Today, Ferrari is part of the Fiat group. However, during the 1960s, Ferrari held-its own. Still, Ferrari and Fiat had a very healthy relationship; they didn’t interact as-rivals in the competitive world of automobile production. Because of this, Fiat helped Ferrari-produce Dino cars in order to fulfill production requirements. But the 1971 Fiat Dino 2400 Spider-came much later during this process. In fact, the 1971 Fiat Dino 2400 Spider was one of the last-cars to sport the Dino label.

The Dino label began during the 1960s, in honor of Enzo Ferrari’s deceased-son Alfredo. It was a mid-engine car with the V6 engine. The Ferrari cars are known for their V12 engines—which, in-turn, are known for their power—but a mid-engine design required them to produce something less powerful (since they believed mid-engine cars are more prone to danger when they are fast). The result? The Dino 206 GT and-GTS—cars with Fiat engines. Later Dino cars sported slightly more powerful engines, although-not as powerful as the iconic V12.

The Fiat Dino, then, is different from the Ferrari Dino. The first Fiat Dino was-produced during the mid 1960s and presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 1967. Its body was designed-by acclaimed coachbuilder Bertone and is considered to be the best coupes during that time. However,-the first Fiat Dino was not without its share of problems. Although it had great dashboards, luxury-features such as power windows (something that was new during the time), it wasn’t very-reliable. The 1971 Fiat Dino 2400 Spider, then, solved the problems that the Fiat Dino 2000-had.   

The 1971 Fiat Dino 2400 Spider sported a different and improved engine—the V6-2.4 liter cast-iron engine, made, of course, by Fiat. The body was designed by Pininfarina (making it aesthetically-different from the Dino 2000), with additional cable operated clutch, and wider tires, among several-others. Its flexible engine (at least more flexible than the previous V6) made it a joy to drive.-Indeed, although the Dino line was not exactly as desired as other Ferraris during its time, the-1970 Fiat Dino 2400 Spider changed all that with its great efficiency and design, a proof that the-combined efforts of two car manufacturers can do great things.

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