1976 Ferrari DINO 246GT PETROL Manual

This lot will be auctioned via Historics Classic and Sportscar Auctioneers, Farnborough International Exhibition Centre sale on Saturday the 11th of May, GU14 6XE. The Dino, named in honour of Enzo Ferraris son, was a brand for V6 engined Ferraris and the project that Alfredo Dino Ferrari worked on before he died tragically of muscular dystrophy at just 24 years old. In order to homologate Ferraris Formula Two entry in 1966, the FIA requested that 500 production cars were produced using the same V6 unit as the race car. The Fiat Dino was born using the two-litre V6 Ferrari unit which was later used in the early 206GT versions of the Dino. Ferrari used the mid-engined configuration that was working well for them in sports car racing for the new Dino and the prototype 206S was shown at the 1966 Turin show. The car drew a positive response and Ferrari put the car into production, making it the first mid-engined production Ferrari. A 2.4 litre version on a longer wheelbase, the 246GT, replaced the Dino 206 in late 1969. The beauty of a mid-engined sports car is the handling, as the improved centre of gravity lends itself to better road holding. A Ferrari Dino has great cornering ability and is an enormously fun car to drive.Originally registered to Mr. De Havilland who we understand collected the car direct from the factory, this Dino 246GT presents in delightful condition. Significant amounts have been spent ensuring this low mileage example not only looks great but is reliable. A history synopsis shows the mileage in 1988 as 9,224 which leads us to believe the current odometer reading of 21,047 miles to be correct although this is not warranted. In 1990 at 11,359 miles the gearbox was rebuilt and again in 1997 at 14,078 miles, the engine was also rebuilt at the same time. A detailed history file accompanies this right hand drive Ferrari, clearly this has been a much loved and very well looked after Dino. Presenting in the traditional colour combination of red with black interior this 246GT has been in professional, de-humidified storage in recent years. Supplied with a V5 registration document, it is widely agreed that the Ferrari Dino is one of the best-handling and most gratifying automobiles of the early 1970s; it is certainly one of the most attractive, delicately balanced designs ever produced by the masters at Pininfarina. Consigned by Stewart Banks.