Lot 191: 1972 Ferrari Dino 246GT Berlinetta

In the mid-1960s, Ferrari needed a production-based 2-litre engine for the new Formula 2 and conceived the mid-engined Dino to provide the necessary basis. The first of these ‘junior’ Ferraris – the 206GT – debuted at the Turin Motor Show in 1967. Building on experienced gained with its successful limited edition Dino 206S sports-racer of 1966, Ferrari retained the racer’s mid-engined layout for the road car but installed the power unit transversely rather than longitudinally.
A compact, aluminium-bodied coupé of striking appearance, the Pininfarina-styled Dino - named after Enzo Ferrari’s late son Alfredino Ferrari and intended as the first of a separate but related marque - was powered by a 2-litre, four-cam V6 driving through an in-unit five-speed transaxle. The motor’s 180bhp was good enough to propel the lightweight, aerodynamically-efficient Dino to 142mph, and while there were few complaints about its performance, the high cost enforced by its aluminium construction hindered sales.
A 2.4-litre version on a longer wheelbase - the 246GT - replaced the Dino 206 in late 1969. The body was now steel and the cylinder block cast-iron rather than aluminium, but the bigger engine’s increased power - 195bhp at 7,600rpm - was more than adequate compensation for the weight gain, as the Dino’s top speed increase slightly to within a whisker of 150mph. A Targa-top version, the 246GTS, followed in 1972. While not as fast in a straight line as its larger V12-engined stablemates, the nimble Dino was capable of showing almost anything a clean pair of heels over twisty going. Truly a driver’s car par excellence.

Sold new in France, this Dino 246GT Berlinetta had enjoyed only two owners before coming into the possession of the current vendor, the ex-President of the Fiat Dino Register, in March 2002. We are advised that the car was totally restored in 2003, the engine, transmission and suspension being rebuilt by Sportcar of Milan and the coachwork undergoing a back to bear metal restoration and was painted in acrylic paint by De La Rade of Nice. Described by the private vendor as in ‘as new’ condition throughout, the car is offered with restoration invoices, factory parts list and French Carte Grise.

Vendue neuve en France, cette Dino 246 GT Berlinetta n'a connu que deux propriétaires avant l'actuel vendeur, ancien président du Fiat Dino Register, qui en fit l'acquisition en mars 2002. La voiture a été totalement restaurée en 2003: moteur, boîte et suspensions refaits par Sportcar à Milan et carrosserie repeinte en acrylique après totale mise à nu par De La Rade à Nice. Décrite par le vendeur "comme neuve" sur tous les points, la voiture est offerte avec ses factures de restauration, le catalogue d'usine des pièces de rechange et sa "carte grise" française.