1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GT

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is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning 1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GT.

The documentation on file confirms this car is a UK delivered, factory right hand drive example. It was ordered by HR Owen in London on the 1st November 1972. This E Series Dino was completed and despatched from the Ferrari factory in Maranello in February 1973 and imported into the UK by Maranello Concessionaires Ltd.

The car left the factory in Marrone Metallizzato (paint code 106-M-73 Salchi) with a Beige (430) interior and the standard Cromodora wheels. The car was ordered with the optional electric windows.

This Dino comes with the all important Ferrari Classiche certification which confirms its authenticity and originality. The chassis, engine and gearbox numbers are all confirmed as original and ‘matching’.

It is understood that the car’s first owner was a Mr Platoni from Maidstone in Kent, however, the subsequent early history of this car is not known. It is further understood to have found its way to the USA in the late 1970’s or early 1980’s. According to information on file this car spent most its time in the USA in the state of Maryland. It had undergone a colour change and was now painted green metallic with a tan interior. In August 1995 the car was offered for sale by Mike Sheehan’s, European Auto Sales, in California. Sheehan sold the car for its then long term owner, Mack Perdew from Baltimore, to Michael Fitzpatrick from Auckland, New Zealand.

In May 1996 the car was exported from the USA to New Zealand by Fitzpatrick and shortly thereafter ownership passed to Peter Sundburg who also lived in Auckland. At that time the odometer read circa 34,000 miles. Sundburg decided to restore the car. There are invoices on file from A.F.E in Auckland detailing the restoration work which was completed between June 1996 and September 1997. They disassembled the car, completed all the mechanical work and ultimately reassembled the car. The body, paint and trimming were outsourced to specialist suppliers. The major mechanical work included a gearbox and differential rebuild. The suspension and brakes were also overhauled.

There are a few photos on file from the restoration confirming the body was taken back to bare metal before it was repainted in its current colour of Giallo Fly.

In 1998, in Sundburg’s ownership, the Dino was one of the cars representing the Ferrari club of New Zealand in the Ellerslie Concours D’Elegance. It also featured on the cover of the Autum ‘98 edition of the Scuderia Ferrari magazine.

In July 2006 acquired the car from Phillip Hoffman from Pahiatua, New Zealand and subsequently imported it into Australia. At that time the odometer read 37,646 miles. There is an import approval on file dated 27th July 2006.

Following its arrival in Australia the carburettors were overhauled and the alternator was repaired. That work was done by Wayne Park in Brisbane, QLD.

sold the car to its current owner, who lives in Melbourne, Victoria in November 2006. At that time the odometer read 37,746 miles.

In 2007 the dashboard was retrimmed by Garry Blackman trimming in Melbourne.

The current owner has used the car sparingly during his 18 years of ownership, travelling only some 1,500 miles in that time.

Prior to arriving at our showroom, the car was serviced by local classic Ferrari specialist Marc Jones from Enzotech.

Today the odometer read 39,233 miles.

The Ferrari Dino is a car that carries colour very well, however, yellow is about as good as it gets. In fact, yellow is an amazing colour for a Dino as it just accentuates all the lines and curves on the car. It also contrasts nicely with the black at the bottom of the sills and underneath the front and rear of the car.

This car is an absolute ‘jewel’. The paintwork just pops and is in excellent condition. It is hard to believe it is some 28 years old, though the car has travelled very few miles in that time. If you look very closely you might find the odd very small blemish or stone chip that has been touched up . . . but you have to look very hard. The panel gaps around the doors, the boot lid, the engine cover and the font lid are all very good. The external trim on a Dino is minimalistic. Most notably the chrome trims around the window and the bumpers are all in very good condition. The same can be said for all the glass on the car as well as the lights and lenses.

The car retains its original Cromodora wheels which are in very good condition. They are shod with period correct Michelin XWX tyres, size 205/70 VR14 and date stamped 5221 (week 52, 2021). You can tell the car has hardly been driven since these were fitted as they still present like new.

Under the front bonnet you will find a correct spare wheel running a ‘new’ Michelin XWX tyre. The heavy duty ‘plastic’ tub is undamaged and present very well.

Not surprisingly the engine bay is exceptionally neat, clean and tidy.

Opening the door of a Dino is an experience. The beautifully shaped little ‘handle’ that sits on top of the door near the window feels very delicate and is. Without too much trouble and a ‘click’, the light door swings open and you are welcomed by a very well presented interior. The black interior creates a subtle understated elegance against the exterior body colour. The beautiful seats are in great condition with no cracks or tears in the leather and they provide ample support. Even the carpets are in very good condition. The only very minor imperfections we noticed were on the tunnel in front of the gear lever. Whilst a Dino might look small on the outside, inside they are surprisingly spacious and it is very easy to get comfortable behind the steering wheel. You then must take a minute to take it all in. In front of you is the delightful array of gauges located in the instrument binnacle, which are all in excellent condition and working order. And yes, even the clock works. The steering wheel, which is in excellent condition, is right where you want it. Slide your left hand down from the steering wheel and you will find the delicate gear knob. Of course, you will see the typical and very recognisable gated shift plate which really gets the pulse racing as your mind wanders to getting this the car out on the road.

The big question . . . does this car drive as good as it looks? You don’t have to go to far to answer that question . . . it is a resounding YES!

Out on the open road this Dino is an absolute delight to drive. The car is light and nimble and it performs exactly as one would expect. The engine sounds fabulous and it pulls strongly through the rev range. You just can’t help but want to keep going up and down the gears. Even with the oil in the gearbox still being cold the gear changes are smooth and easy. And things just get better the more the car warms up! Once the car has reached operating temperature you feel more comfortable to stretch its legs. The V6 engine sitting just behind your head really sings as you push up through the power band. The car feels tight and it is really solid on the road. The brakes work well and they pull the car up quickly and in a straight line when required.

Accompanying this car is a spare wheel, tool kit (not original), jack, car cover, books in the correct Ferrari pouch, a good history file and the Ferrari Classiche ‘red book’.

Designed by the legendary Leonardo Fioravanti, responsible for some of the greatest Ferrari designs while at Pininfarina, the Ferrari Dino 246 GT is a masterpiece and one of his finest achievements. In addition to that timeless silhouette, the Ferrari Dino 246 GT is light, nimble and an absolute delight to drive.

The Dino has gone from once not even being considered a real Ferrari to one of the most collectable Ferrari’s in the world. Finding one is not easy and finding a good one is even harder.

These cars are tightly held in Australia and cars of this calibre very rarely come up for sale.

Highlights:

Factory RHD example
Ferrari Classiche certified
Beautifully presented example in a perfect colour combination
A real pleasure to drive
Just serviced, so ready to show, use and enjoy

 

Background

Apple, Coco-Cola, McDonalds and Nike are brands recognisable the world over. So is Ferrari and interestingly the iconic Italian luxury sports car manufacturer was named ‘The World’s Strongest Brand’ in the 2019 Brand Finance Global 500 Report.

Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1939 out of Alfa Romeo’s race division as Auto Avio Costruzioni the company built its first car in 1940. The Second World War halted Ferrari’s dream, which was finally realised in 1947, when the first car bearing his name, the Ferrari 125S, was built. From that day on Ferrari race cars dominated the world over, winning race after race and many world championships in Formula One, sports car racing and endurance racing. Ferrari built exclusive sports cars for the road too, but in the early days, this was primarily to fund his motor racing!

The Cavallino Rampate or ‘prancing horse’ was the symbol chosen by Ferrari and like the ‘golden arches’ it is recognised by just about every man, woman and child on the planet!

The Ferrari road cars from the 1940’s and early to mid-1950’s were built in very small numbers and it was not until the introduction of the 250 series cars that production numbers increased. Almost 1,000 Ferrari 250 GTE’s were built from 1959 – 1963. The 250 series also produced some of the most special Ferraris ever built, including the Ferrari 250LM, 250 SWB, 250 California Spider and of course the 250 GTO. The 250 series cars were superseded by the 275 series cars, the 330 series cars and later the 365 series cars. The nomenclature designated the cubic capacity of each cylinder. So a Ferrari 330 was powered by a 12 cylinder engine of 3967 cc capacity.

Ferrari’s iconic Dino was first shown to the world as a prototype at the 1965 Paris Motor Show. The car morphed into the 206 GT of which only 150 cars were built from 1967 to 1969. This car was built with an all alloy body and had a 1,987cc V6 engine. In 1969 the 246 GT was released, which whilst a similar looking car in many ways was actually quite different. The car sat 3” taller than its predecessor and the body was now built from steel. Mechanically the ‘new car’ was powered by a 2,418cc V6 engine. Enzo was keen to tackle Porsche head on and to do this he needed to increase production. The Dino was a hit and incredibly 3,569 of these cars were built from 1969 to 1974, 2,295 246 GT’s and 1,274 246 GTS’s.

Concerned at how the world would accept his lower priced, ‘affordable’ 6 cylinder sports car and concerned that a ‘cheaper car’ may diminish the Ferrari brand, Enzo Ferrari decided the car would not carry the badge of the prancing horse. Rather it would simply be known as a ‘Dino’ to also commemorate the life of his son who designed the 6 cylinder engine.

Today the world knows the Dino as a Ferrari, and a real one at that! These beautiful cars are adored by car people across the world and good ones are most sought after.


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