(first posted 2/19/2018) I recently wrote about my Fiat Dino Spider which was featured here. I thought it might be interesting to put the Spider next to her beautiful sister, the Dino 246GT, in order to compare and contrast the two. I will not go into details of the history and development of these cars as this has been already greatly written, but the idea is to park them side-by-side and reflect on the experience of owning both of them.
First, let’s get some basic facts to compare two cars:
Styling: Advantage 246 GT
There is not a huge difference in overall size – length, width and height – although the Spider does look a bit taller which may also be due to the fact that it is a convertible and the 246 GT lines make it look more fluid. This notion of “disrupted fluidity” is not unique to this pair of cars and is often the case between coupés and cabrios.
The nose and headlights of the Spider are very close to the Pininfarina 1965 Ferrari Dino Berlinetta prototype (above), whereas the 246 GT retains the overall shape of that first car.
I know it is difficult to compare coupés and cabrios but – in my opinion – the 246 GT looks more harmonious with great front-rear balance and elegance mixed with epoch LeMans-style racing and an aggressive, sporty stance. The importance of this design is measured today as it set the stage for the modern mid-engine Ferraris.
Performance: Advantage 246 GT
In terms of performance, we should really be comparing the 2.4L spider instead of the 2.0L. For the record, the 2.4L Spider had a max torque of 216 Nm, 178 HP and claimed top speed of 210 km/h, so it still has less performance than the lighter 246 GT.
Both cars perform well considering period standards with top-speeds which we will never see in today’s radar-controlled roads. Acceleration, braking and handling are more than acceptable and I never feel out of control. The 246 GT definitely handles noticeably better. The steering is more precise, and you really feel closer to the road practically lying down in the car. The mid-engine configuration affords less understeer and fantastic go-kart-like cornering.
Dino 246GT 2.4L Engine
Fiat Dino 2.0L Engine
Comfort: Advantage Fiat Dino Spider
No doubt, the Spider is a better day-to-day car. With its 2+2 configuration it can carry its passengers comfortably and has room for a decent amount of luggage and even golf clubs. Neither interior is particularly sophisticated or luxurious but they both have the Italian quirkiness and simplicity that makes them special.
Verdict: “Don’t ask me to choose”
Which one is my favourite? Ultimately it comes down to what you want to use it for. The Spider is the more flexible of the two – being able to shuttle my two small girls from one kid event to another – or going for a family drive for a picnic in the Swiss mountains. To be fair, I also feel less conspicuous in the Spider (maybe also because it is not red). I am also less worried about scratching it. The Spider is the more modest of the couple and gets more sympathetic “thumbs up” from on-lookers.
On the other hand, the 246 GT is simply stunning and has more “curb appeal”. The visceral experience of driving it on a winding road, on a nice day can’t be beat.
In any case, both cars are very special and I consider myself very lucky to own two wonderful pieces of automotive expression.
Lovely pair. I’m not sure I could say which I would prefer, honestly. Beautiful lines on the 246, but then what an amazing cocoa interior in the Spider. Fiat Dino coupes have their own charms, as well. The 2.0 liter cars ran thru the 1969 season (both models), and then was superseded with the 2.4 for 1970. The Lancia Stratos was also powered by the later Dino V6, and is possibly the swiftest of the quartet.
Seeing that cover pic reminds me that the Spider was such an incredible bargain for soooo long when the GT’s prices were already going stratospheric. Nice piece Filippo.
The 246 is so over-familiar from every classic magazine, every auction, that it nearly seems mundane, until you see one in the flesh again. And in the flesh, they are traffic-stoppers, very small, very delicate, quite beautiful.
I’m curious, Filippo, what are these jewels like to own? Do they behave, or do they have lots of tantrums, and need lots of counselling?
Judging by the interior shots, the Spider certainly looks more inviting. Perfect combination of brown leather and wood.
That ad with the surfboards strikes me as preposterous. Maybe that’s intentional – the woman’s expression seems to say she agrees.
Mr Funky Trunks is telling her she should have been here the day before. In Italian, of course.
She’s wisely not buying it in any language.
The real mystery is why she’s wasting her time with a dufus smearing wax over the trim of a special car like that?
Wonderful. Is there another pair of cars that are so different between closed and open versions?
You can use the spider in summer and the GT in winter, because Dino is the car of the north:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a28164/dino-car-of-the-north/
One of my favorite Peter Egan stories.
Great link, reminds me how good R&T used to be.
Yeah, Dad and I had a subscription all through the 80’s and early 90’s. By the time there were more pages of advertising than content all we were buying it for were Egan’s articles…
Loved the link really made me smile. Just like being there. Thank you for posting.
Thank you, the Peter Egan story rekindled memories of R&T, made my morning.
Two beauties, that’s certain. I am a Spider guy. I prefer the older aesthetic when it comes to Italian sports cars and while the Spider sort of straddles the old and new eras the red car is all about the more modern expression.
Very well put, + 1000!
Also, that Spider’s dash and interior are just beautiful.
Great stuff, Monsieur Filippo. Your country is a treasure trove of CCs. Looking forward to lots of great posts with your byline.
Verdict: “Don’t ask me to choose”t
Me too. It’s either both or none.
Of course a Dino Coupe would round out things a bit.
Both worlds together. My friend Doc gave me unlimited access to his Ferrari’s (and 30 other sports and collector cars) I drove the collection weekly, the 246 GTS was a favorite with near perfect handling, gorgeous looks, and semi convertible effect. I also was driving the 365 GT 2+2, which had the full bore V12 shriek, and was as large and comfortable as my ’65 Riviera Gran Sport. The Ferrari’s were very dependable with only normal (expensive) servicing. He purchased them new, in the eighties, we attended an all Ferrari meet in San Francisco where the 246 GTS was voted best of show. It wasn’t the fastest Ferrari (it did 145 mph and 0-60 in 6.8 sec), but to me it was most beautiful.
This is the 365 GT 2+2. In the 246 GTS picsI’m standing next to it, and my ’63 Electra is shown.
Thanks for the post. Both are beautiful, having both means not having to choose one over the other. I have to say I love the brown interior of the Spider.
The fifth photo (right side profile of the Fiat Spider) struck me immediately because from the “A” pillar back the car looks remarkably like a first generation Camaro convertible. Never noticed the resemblance before but it is striking.
I prefer the Spider for looks alone.
Both cars are lovely, but I’d pick the Fiat simply because it’s a full convertible (I live in Miami). It’s a bit of a shame that Ferrari didn’t keep the glass nose on the 1965 Dino prototype – it’s utterly impractical and perhaps illegal in some countries, but boy does it look cool.
What a beautiful pair! Of course it’s not a choice I’m likely to face but I’d grab the Fiat.
Having seen just how the 246 GT is constructed is the biggest factor in this – they were never built to last. A shop here has a few here disassembled and they are shockers.
I’d get a pinstripe Becker in the spider too.
Same shop also has a V8 Dino (wider version of this body – not a 308 GT4), built for a race series but never run.
The interior of the Spider wins hands down. You can’t beat that leather and the wood dash.
That said, I cannot think of a car I find more beautiful than the 246 GT. An E Type Jaguar convertible comes very close. It is no wonder the 246 GT has become more precious than some of its ‘actual’ Ferrari brethren. I think the production car looks even better than the prototype. To my mind it looks as though the styling had ‘matured’ as it went into production. That is something one can almost never say for many automobiles.
To think my father ignored my advice in 1974 and bought a BMW 3.0 (family man – loved cars but needed four doors) when for a measly couple grand more (actually real money in those days) he could have had a two year old Dino with less than 10,000 miles. Arrgh! Of course, Mom and Sis would have to follow in the former’s yellow Volvo. 🙂
Very nice Fillipo! I don’t think you can go wrong either way, and of course the value difference is difficult to ignore.
The Fiat Dino Coupe has its own charms too, if not quite as charismatic as the Spider or Ferrari.
A few years ago I saw a 206S race car, which does something I didn’t think possible – make the Ferrari Dino coupe/spider look a bit dowdy!
The Dino Spider is just breathtaking. Pininfarina at his best. And – though nearly impossible – this pewter metallic finish makes it even better !
Fillipo you have fine taste in automobiles. As for me I’ll take the 246 everyday of the week. The Ferrari Dino has been my all-time favorite automobile design for years. They are as seductive, sensuous, and sculptural as possible, yet not overwrought by an enormously powerful engine that drinks fuel like a fish or accidently jumps to 60 mph if one happens to sneeze at the wrong time. I hope you enjoy your two Dinos for many years to come. Thank you for sharing them with us here on CC.