The 'Humble' Fiat with Race Derived Ferrari V6 - Fiat Dino Coupe

[beebee246]

Hi again,
Having had a couple of hours to rethink my 1st post ( as opposed to the Last Post!), I now remember that Matt Higdon’s car ( ex Agnelli) was purchased from a Fiat ( tractor division) executive, not a cigarette company exec. I’m mixing my stories up, as I recall an ultra low mileage 2000 coupe in white belonging to a guy high up in a cigarette company.
And thanks for your kind words about my woodie…… they were kind words weren’t they?!
Anyone with too much time on their hands should enter Austin A70 Hereford Countryman in their search engine. It’s likely it will bring up a brown example NYE 631. That’s the one!
Brian

[Tobi]

Anyone with too much time on their hands should enter Austin A70 Hereford Countryman in their search engine. It’s likely it will bring up a brown example NYE 631. That’s the one!
Brian

What a beauty!

[Vravolta]

Hi,
Both Pininfarina and Agnelli owned 2400 spiders.
Pininfarina owned BS1239. He gifted it to Bernard Cahier, and it’s shown in Mike Morris’s book with USA number plate DINO 1 ( it never left Europe!)
Cahier sold it to Graham Bryant, and Graham sold it to me in 2003 via Talacrest (Ferrari specialist, U.K). I sold it about 2006, and it’s still in the U.K.
Agnelli owned BS1476 which ended up in the U.K. with ( I think) a cigarette company executive) it was sold in about 2000 to Matt Higdon and is still with him here in the U.K.
Having owned 26 coupes and spiders, about equally split, I love all 4 versions. Each have different attributes, some good, some not so. I currently have 2400 spiders, so you can see where my current allegiance lies!
Then again I have a 1953 Austin woodie wagon. Go figure!
Cheers, Brian Boxall 1319/1470

I wasn't aware of this story with Spiders. Do we have clues on the fact that they actually drove them and that it wasn't just offered by Fiat for advertising purpose or that those cars weren't indeed used by their relatives ? Because I have difficulties (but maybe I'm wrong) to think of Agelli in his classy dress, with his tie, driving to the office through the trafic jams in his everyday Spider. We have the same with Enzo: he could get access to any Ferrari he wanted but in practice, 90% of the time he was seen behind the wheel, it was the one of 400's and the like, and not 2 seaters. So

And yes, for sure all Dino versions have their qualities and defaults. I love my Lotus and miss my Caterham that both have a very basic trimming quality . Usually, enthusiasts tends to think, because of the current price and the fact that usually, a convertible seats higher in the range than its fixed top equivalent, that Spiders were sold with that position in Fiat's range, which is a false asumption.

[beebee246]

Hi again,
You’re in luck, I have cast iron provenance!
Re 1239, I spoke to Bernard Cahier several times,and he sent me, by post , lots of rare ( probably unique) drawings, plans, books, photos that were given him by Pininfarina. I returned them all,as was requested. He told me that Pininfarina had gifted him this car when it was a couple of years old. He, Pininfarina, had owned it from new.
Re the Agnelli car, my friend Matt Higdon purchased it from the Fiat Executive, who had purchased it from his employer, Agnelli.
Your comments about Agnelli are noted. It’s also on record that he was a playboy, Bon viveur, show off,and I can see him enjoying a Spider. He owned stranger car, as it’s widely recorded that he had several Fiat 500/600 Jolly beach cars for use in conjunction with his yachts.
That must surely be provenance enough for you?!
bTW, 1239 came with a feature I’ve seen neither before nor since: a set of blue fabric and vinyl fitted front sear covers, stamped in several places “ Pininfarina “ they weren’t generic,but tailored for that car. They don’t appear in any accessories lists that I’ve seen.
I’m probably going to drop this thread now, as I feel there’s nothing more to add. If the current owners of either car is reading and wants to contribute that would be interesting, but I don’t think they can realistically add to this story.
Cheers, Brian

[Ribolla_67]

bTW, 1239 came with a feature I’ve seen neither before nor since: a set of blue fabric and vinyl fitted front sear covers, stamped in several places “ Pininfarina “ they weren’t generic,but tailored for that car. They don’t appear in any accessories lists that I’ve seen.

Hello Brian,

there is one final point I would like to add:

Pininfarina provided terry cloth seat covers for the Dino Spider (cloth and vinyl) and late 124 Europaspider (cloth only). Do you mean one of these types?

Dino spider cloth was at least available in red and blue, more colours for 206 GT.

[Ribolla_67]

These colours were available for the 206 GT:

[Ribolla_67]

Proof of truth "blue":

Would be really interesting if someone has some surviving examples!

[beebee246]

I’ve always said that it’s good to learn at least one new thing each day of your life!
The ones on the Dino spiders in your attached images do look to be the same as was on BS 1239 ( ex Pininfarina/ ex Cahier). Thank you for sharing. Now if I could work out how to upload images I’d share the 1953 woodie with you all! Or not, as the case may be!
Cheers, Brian

[beebee246]

Hi all,
I’ve decided to sell one of my 2400 spiders. Chassis BS1470, 1971. Original colour 152 Red, as shown on chassis plate. Just had full engine rebuild, few miles, still running in. Interior cream leather with matching top cover.
Condition is good, but certainly not show standard. There is some micro blistering in the paint. I’m based in U.K.
I have owned the car for 13 years. I’d like £130,000 sterling. I won’t post images here, but seriously interested parties can contact me on e mail brian1boxall@btinternet.com or by cell phone 07831 290806. For pictures and further details.
Thank you,
Brian Boxall