1971 Fiat Dino 2.4

Registration No: FPV 90J
Chassis No: 135BC0005203
MOT: Exempt

• Understood to have been previously owned by the son of Peter Sellers, Michael Sellers
• The subject of extensive previous restoration work during the 1990s displaying a high level of detail and still presenting excellently
• Previously the beneficiary of mechanical work by specialists such as Simon Furlonger and Superformance
• Fitted with a charming period air-conditioning unit that was overhauled in 2017

Unable to produce sufficient numbers of its newly designed 2 litre ‘quad cam’ V6 engine to satisfy the FIA’s homologation requirements for Formula 2 usage, Ferrari entered a marriage of expediency with FIAT during the mid-1960s. The result was a series of ‘Dino’ badged models across both marques; the name being a tribute to Enzo Ferrari’s son Alfredo who had sadly died in 1956 at the age of just twenty-four. The first Fiat Dino, a Pininfarina-penned Spider, debuted in 1966. Joined the following year by a Bertone-styled Coupe, the duo shared their ‘heart’ with the Ferrari Dino 206GT and boasted 120mph plus performance. Assembly of the Dino Spider and Coupe moved from Fiat to Ferrari during 1969. The Maranello-built cars benefited from several amendments including: a switch to independent coil-sprung rear suspension, superior braking and cooling, the fitment of a new 5-speed ZF gearbox and an increase in engine capacity to 2.4 litres (the latter mirrored by the Ferrari Dino 246GT). Some 2,414 Fiat Dino 2400 Coupes were made.

Built by the Maranello factory during 1971, chassis 5203 is understood to have been initially despatched to Switzerland and remained there until being imported to the UK in 1989 when it was registered as ‘FPV 90J’, with the first UK MoT test certificate showing a recorded mileage of 54,327km. Correspondence on file between the last Swiss-based owner, Ed Stevens and Fiat Dino Register Secretary, Mike Morris, show that the car at this time was painted Silver with a Red interior and had been the subject of previous restoration work.

The first UK-based owner from 1989 is understood to have been the late Michael Sellers who was the son of Peter Sellers and a renowned Fiat Dino enthusiast in his own right. He kept the car for only a brief period before it was sold on and it eventually ended up in the hands of a Mr Laurence Reid, who owned it from 1992 until 2013. Mr Reid was evidently very enthusiastic about the coupé; and invoices on file document a comprehensive body and mechanical restoration, which included extensive reworking of the complicated metal structure, repainting to a very high standard in the current metallic blue finish, a complete engine overhaul which included the all-important replacement of the inlet and exhaust valves and an interior re-trim. An inspection by marque specialist Superformance in 2001 deemed that the work had been completed to a very high standard and was described by them as being ‘in sound condition with no body or structural corrosion’.

Further invoices on file during Mr Reid’s ownership evidence works with further big names such as Trinity engineering, with parts supplied by Superformance. Mr Reid eventually sold the car to a Mr H. Gallo of Hertfordshire, who further kept the Dino up to scratch, and an invoice from Alex Jupe Motorsport is on file from 2017 showing further extensive work to the top-end, cooling system, brakes and the fitment of a new exhaust.

The vendor’s ownership of ‘FPV 90J’ started in 2017, who has mollycoddled it as part of his impressive collection of interesting and exotic sports cars. Entrusting extensive works to the tune of over £2000 to Xtreme Jaguar Restorations in 2017 which included an overhaul of the original and very ‘cool’ aftermarket air-conditioning unit, the fixing of a charging issue was taken care of by Furlonger Specialist Cars in 2019 before a carburettor overhaul was undertaken by Wainwright & Son during the same year. The vendor now describes the electrical equipment, paintwork and interior trim condition as ‘very good’ and rates the engine, gearbox and bodywork condition as being ‘excellent’.

Certainly, this fine Italian four-seater immediately draws admiring glances from anybody who encounters it and should be at the top of the list for anybody who has considered one. Offered complete with its extensive history file documenting the story back to 1989, chassis 5203 is now said to be ‘ready for anything’ and will draw much attention at any summer classic car event.

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430