When it comes to Italian cars, Ferrari still captivates the imaginations of enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts alike. Seemingly synonymous with being Italian, the red cars from Maranello have created a legend in an of themselves. In recent years, even cars that are more loosely related or which traditionally weren't considered "true" Ferraris have experienced a surge in pricing, lifting them out of the reach of most enthusiasts who want to experience a taste of that Italian emotion in engineering. For example, the lowly Dino - a car not considered worthy enough to carry the Ferrari name for some time - has recently surpassed pricing of many of its more powerful and traditionally more desirable V12 brethren; if you want to get into a 1967 Dino 206GT these days, you better have at least $300,000 on hand for a decent example.

What's perhaps even more amazing is that one of the cars that shares the Dinos underpinnings - the Lancia Stratos - is even more expensive. For a decent Stratos these days, plan on freeing up about $400,000. But there is one more car that shared that Ferrari DNA, and it's not nearly as expensive as its slinky cousins; the Fiat Dino. Indeed, it was the Fiat that allowed both the Ferrari version and the Stratos to be created later, and was the development platform for the 2.0 V6 engine that was also used in Formula 2 racing. Available in either coupe or convertible, it was a handsomely styled GT by Bertone in Coupe version, like today's example:

Year: 1967
Model: Dino
Engine: 2.0 liter V6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 105,215 (?) km (~ 65,377 mi)
Price: Reserve auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1967 Fiat Dino

1967 Fiat Dino finished in Red over Black interior. This RARE 1967 early 2.0 Liter V6 had a full restoration completed in late 2008. A no expense spared restoration produced this stunning vehicle. It sits on R Cromodora alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli P3000 tires. A Blaupunkt cassette Stereo. Highly optioned from the factory with such things as RARE full power windows. The interior was re-wrapped in period correct leather and shows well. A full mechanical re-build took place as well, with less than 500 miles on the total restoration since completed. Fully service and ready to go to its new home. An investment vehicle that is ONLY on the upward swing.

1967 FIAT Dino finished in Red over Black interior. Fiat introduced its 2-liter Dino at the 1966 Turin Motor Show, a collaboration between the giant Italian automaker and its chic counterpart, Ferrari. A smart-looking 2+2 coupe designed by Bertone. The name is derived from Enzo Ferrari's son Alfredo, nicknamed Dino, who collaborated in the mid-1950s with the legendary engineer Vittorio Jano on a lightweight aluminum V6. A decade later, Ferrari planned to use this engine to power its F2 race cars. Homologation was necessary, however, and Fiat, with its mass-production capabilities, was a natural fit to get the engine into as many cars as such homologation required, in this case 500. A Ferrari powerplant couldn't just be shoved into any old Fiat so the Dino was produced.The entities enlisted Bertone, who was responsible for the coupe. The body styles are uniquely proportioned, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive cars. The coupe’s reception was favorable as it fit its skin a bit better thanks to its increased 2+2 wheelbase.The coupe featured luxuries like power windows, split folding rear seats, and rear window breathers that opened automatically depending on the car's speed. It also featured a lovely wood dash with big gauges and nifty switches, and a supple leather interior. The massaged, road-going 2.0-liter V6 delivered 160 hp and was mated to a Ferrari 5-speed transmission. It was the same power plant that Ferrari employed in its own mid-engined 206 Dino GT. These cars were lauded in period for their performance, especially as they were essentially Ferraris underneath, but at a fraction of the cost. Dino production ceased in June 1972. In all, ONLY 3,670 2.0 coupes were produced in its life time. Rust has claimed many cars, and these days they are a rare sight!! But when you consider the Ferrari DNA that runs through them, these Fiats are serious contenders as economical exotics.

If they were a budget Ferrari back when they were new, they're even moreso today. The convertibles - styled by Pininfarina - are generally considered more desirable, as are the later run 2.4 cars that were assembled in Maranello. Despite this then being the least desirable of the lot, this none-the-less looks like a spectacular example. I'd prefer tan leather to this version's black interior, but it's well presented and looks nice. The same can be said for the red exterior, which is classic Italian in shade but wouldn't be my first choice. This car has undergone a recent restoration which should take most of the guesswork out of ownership if it was done properly, and buying one that's done is certainly cheaper than attempting to buy a bad example and doing it yourself. Despite that, the pricing of this example is absolute top of the market for 2.0 Dino Coupes; Hagerty places a condition 1 show car at around $46,000 right now, and even then that's taking into account the recent spike in prices on these cars. Like the Dino and Stratos cousins, these cars are on the upswing and are likely being pulled upwards by their rare cousins. Does that make this car a good deal? Well, in relation to the others it's at least a car you could buy and enjoy driving without worrying that someone would crash into you trying to take a picture and ruin the value. It's an understated but pretty GT which offers all of that Italian emotion and design in a package that can still be grabbed by mere mortals. For that, we're thankful!

-Carter