Lot 240: 1974 Ferrari 246 GTS Dino

Ferrari introduced the 206 Dino in 1968 as a separate marque and the surprise is that it sold only 100 examples in over a year. The transverse 2.0 litre V6, originally designed by the great Vittorio Jano, had proved itself in Formula One and sports car racing, there was a superb chassis with all-independent suspension, and the voluptuous Pininfarina body set the pattern for most subsequent mid-engined Ferraris. It appeared to have all the ingredients for success, yet it did not sell. Things changed dramatically in 1969 when Ferrari replaced it with the 246 Dino which had a 195bhp 2.4 litre version of the engine. Little else had changed, a slightly longer wheelbase permitted a roomier cockpit, and yet production leapt to 1,000 a year. In America, emission controls meant it was actually less powerful than the 206, but the opposition fared much worse and the Dino came into its own. In European trim (easy for American buyers to achieve) it could reach 150mph and sprint from 0-60mph, in 7.1 seconds. Further, it could probably cover a journey on winding roads quicker than the much more powerful Daytona and virtually anything else for that matter. Apart from the race-bred chassis and four wheel disc brakes, the engine had received a useful increase in torque which brought the whole package together. The S of GTS stood for spyder, but this less common and most desirable variant was actually that wonderful compromise, a targa top. Originally supplied by Maranello Concessionaires on the 17th September 1973, this superb example features the upgraded Daytona seats and enlarged wheel arches, the 'chairs & flairs' option as it is colloquially termed. Included also are Perspex headlamp cowlings, quick steering rack and a sports exhaust system. Very much a fast road specification car, it has also been carefully looked after over the years as the history file can attest - new Campagnolo wheels have been fitted and a full service, a gearbox rebuild and a complete interior re-trim have been undertaken in this year alone. The targa roof has been colour coded and a Toad category 1 alarm looks after this very special sportscar. With just over 51,000 miles recorded, a comprehensive service history by one of the foremost Ferrari specialists in Britain and the gentle rise in prices of these iconic sportscars, this Dino represents an attractive proposition in a market that bears little resemblance to external market fluctuations.