Guide: Ferrari Dino 246 GT & GTS
Background
The Dino GT came about as a result of Enzo Ferrari’s desire to re-enter Formula 2 racing for 1967.
At the time, Formula 2 was still a massively important series that attracted drivers and constructors from Formula 1.
The new-for-1967 F2 engine regulations were announced back in early 1965; there would be a 1600cc, six cylinder limit and minimum production requirement of 500 units. The engine blocks had to be used in 500 road-going production cars built within twelve consecutive months.
Enzo Ferrari thought his 1.6-litre 65° V6 that would soon break cover in the Dino 166 P sports racing car would be the perfect basis for an F2 motor. However, as Ferrari did not have the production capacity to meet the homologation requirement, a deal was struck with Fiat.
Fiat would manufacture a productionised version of the V6 engine and also build the Dino-powered road cars.
As part of the arrangement, Fiat had access to the engine for a couple of their own front-engined flagship models: the Pininfarina Dino Spider and Bertone Dino Coupe. Meanwhile, the mid-engined Dino GT (also built by Fiat / Pininfarina) would ostensibly be offered as a junior Ferrari.
For production, the 1.6-litre V6 engine was taken out to two-litres.
The Dino 206 GT was manufactured between spring 1968 and summer 1969. Only 152 were built before Ferrari phased in a more potent 2.4-litre variant: the Dino 246 GT.
Production of the Dino 246 GT began in August 1969. Aside from its bigger 2.4-litre engine, other notable new features were a slightly longer wheelbase and predominantly steel instead of aluminium bodywork.
Three subtly different series of 2.4-litre Ferrari Dino were assembled over the next five years, the last of which included a targa-topped GTS variant.
During this time, the Dino’s most obvious rival was Porsche’s 911. Junior models from Lamborghini and Maserati also emerged, but thanks to its gorgeous body, exotic looks and association with Ferrari, the Dino occupied a special place in the market.
It was initially offered alongside the recently introduced 365 GTB/4 (a two-seat Berlinetta), the 365 GTC (a two-seat Coupe) and the four-seat 365 GT. The 365 GTB/4 and 365 GTC were also offered in Spider trim.
The Series 1 Dino 246 GT (also known as Tipo L) was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1971. Production started five months later.
Engine / Gearbox
In the engine bay was Franco Rocchi’s uprated version of the Vittorio Jano-designed 65° V6 engine.
As usual, it was transversely-mounted and featured dual overhead camshafts with two valves per cylinder, wet-sump lubrication, single plug ignition and a single coil.
For this latest Tipo 135 C application, capacity was enlarged to 2418cc. The not inconsiderable gain of 431cc was achieved by increasing the bore from 86mm to 92.5mm and extending the stroke from 57mm to 60mm.
In order to reduce manufacturing costs and simplify production, the 2.4-litre Dino engine was switched from a Silumin light alloy block to cast iron.
An aluminium-alloy head was retained along with a 9.0:1 compression ratio and three Weber 40 DCN downdraught carburettors.
Peak output was 195bhp at 7600rpm (up from 160bhp at 7200rpm) and 165lb-ft at 5500rpm (up from 126lb-ft at 6000rpm).
Transmission was via an all-synchromesh five-speed manual gearbox, single plate clutch and limited-slip differential.
Chassis
Like its predecessor, the Dino 246 GT was based upon a tubular steel chassis with alloy panels riveted in place to effectively create a semi-monocoque arrangement.
Compared to the outgoing model, the wheelbase was extended from 2280mm to 2340mm. There was also a modified central chassis tube to facilitate the production of a right-hand drive variant.
Suspension was fully independent with unequal length wishbones, coil springs and telescopic Koni dampers. Anti-roll bars were installed at either end.
Disc brakes were fitted at each corner along with 6.5 x 14-inch Cromodora alloy wheels. The centre-lock wheels were fastened in place with a single triple-eared nut and originally came shod with Pirelli tyres.
A 65-litre fuel tank was located up against the left-hand side of the rear bulkhead.
Bodywork
All but the opening body panels were switched from aluminium to steel.
Cosmetically though, the 206 and 246 were little changed. The most obvious difference was the new fuel filler cap which now came mounted under a flush fitting circular flap on the left-hand sail panel. By contrast, earlier 206 iterations had an exposed filler cap.
The 246 also featured slightly bigger exhausts.
As had been the case for all series production Ferraris since late 1953, the Dino GT was styled by Pininfarina.
Fabrication was handled by Scaglietti in Modena.
The beautiful baby Ferrari featured curvaceous wings, recessed headlights and delicate quarter bumpers. The shallow primary nose intake fed fresh air to the radiator and a series of smaller ducts for brake cooling were cut from the front apron.
Two banks of vents were mounted on the front lid under which was a full size spare wheel.
Visibility out of the glassy cockpit was excellent. Elegant flying buttresses swept from the roof down to the Kamm tail. The single-piece rear windscreen was delicately curved, as were the engine cooling scoops carved out from each flank.
Like before, there were no Ferrari emblems to be found anywhere on the car.
Interior
Most interior appointments were carried over from the 206 variant.
Instrumentation was housed in an oval binnacle with a plain aluminium fascia. Large gauges for engine and road speed were flanked by a clock and ammeter. In between the speedometer and rev counter were four small read outs for oil and water temperature, oil pressure and fuel.
The dashboard was upholstered in fine dark grey mousehair to avoid reflections from the windscreen.
The tops of the door panels, upper rear bulkhead panel and head rests were usually trimmed in black vinyl. The main portion of the door panel was upholstered to match the seats, transmission tunnel and sills. The main rear bulkhead was usually hard-wearing black wrinkled vinyl.
Steeply raked seats could be adjusted for and aft but the backs were fixed in position and the headrests were attached to the rear bulkhead.
Although a small number of very early examples came with a wood-rimmed steering wheel, most 246 Dinos were fitted with a new leather-rimmed design.
Options
Fabric seat centres were still available as was leather instead of the full vinyl most commonly used.
Radios, Plexiglas headlight covers, a nudge bar and Ferrari emblems were dealer fit upgrades.
Weight / Performance
Ferrari quoted a dry weight of 1080kg (up from 900kg).
Top speed was unchanged at 146mph, but the 0-62mph time dropped from seven to 6.6 seconds.
Series 1 / Tipo L Production
357 Series 1 Tipo L Dino 246 GTs were built between August 1969 and the summer of 1970.
All were left-hand drive.
Chassis numbers ranged from 00400 to 01116.
Series 2 / Tipo M
From chassis 01118, a series of further refinements were introduced.
Externally, these Series 2 / Tipo M variants could be identified by their five stud instead of centre locking wheels. A Dino-branded centre cap was also added.
Other tell-tale features were door locks moved from within the side intake scoop to underneath it and deletion of the boot lid lock (switched for a third lever in the cockpit next to those for the fuel filler and front lid).
Body panels were now entirely formed from steel with the exception of the front lid.
Under the skin, ATE disc brakes were adopted in place of Girling items.
There were also a series of changes made inside.
The seats were given a perforated central section and the headrests were now attached to the tops of the seats instead of the rear bulkhead. The rear bulkhead itself was now trimmed with ribbed upholstery to match the rest of the interior.
Subtly redesigned door panels were given useful storage bins and the heater / defroster controls were moved from transmission tunnel to the centre of the dash.
In late 1970, the first right-hand drive Dinos began to roll off the production line.
Production of the Series 2 / Tipo M variant continued until July 1971. 507 were built with 62 of these in right-hand drive.
Series 3 / Tipo E
The Series 3 / Tipo E Dino GT was phased in during mid 1971. By this time, production had risen from the three cars a week of 1968 to three every day.
Aside from new gear ratios, a revised fuel supply system and re-shaped front apron ducts, little was actually changed.
A US-compliant version was soon added to the range. It featured vertical instead of flush-mounted indicators in the nose panel, rectangular side marker lights cut into the front and rear fenders and some additional emissions equipment.
Dino 246 GTS
At the Geneva Motor Show in March 1972, Ferrari unveiled a targa-topped GTS variant.
A black removable roof panel could be stowed behind the seats. The chassis was suitably reinforced with extra bracing along the sides and front of the engine frame. The roll hoop was also beefed up.
GTS Dinos did not have rear three-quarter windows. Instead, their sail panels were given a bank of three rectangular grilles to aid cockpit ventilation.
GTS Dinos usually came with a higher specification than GT variants. Leather upholstery was the norm along with the recently introduced options of air conditioning and electric windows.
Group 4 Wheels / Flares & Daytona Seats
Around the same time, Ferrari started to offer wider sand-cast Campagnolo Elektron magnesium alloy wheels and Group 4-inspired wheelarch extensions.
Later in 1972, the ‘Daytona’ seat option was introduced which enabled customers to specify the distinctive two-tone seats found in Ferrari’s flagship 365 GTB/4.
Together, these upgrades are commonly referred to as ‘Flares’ and ‘Chairs’.
End of Production
Production of both the GT and GTS came to an end in July 1974.
By this time, 3760 Dinos had been delivered since the spring of 1968.
1431 of these were to Series 3 / Tipo E GT specification of which 446 were right-hand drive.
Additionally, 1274 examples of the GTS were built, 254 of which were right-hand drive.
246 GT Series 1 / Tipo 670L: 1969 – 1970, 357 built, VIN range 00400 to 01116
246 GT Series 2 / Tipo 670M: 1970 – 1971, 507 built (62 RHD), VIN range 01118 to 02130
246 GT Series 3 / Tipo 670E: 1971 – 1974, 1431 built (466 RHD), VIN range 02132 to 07650
246 GTS Series 3 / Tipo 670E: 1972 – 1974, 1274 built (254 RHD), VIN range 02174 to 08518
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Ferrari - https://www.ferrari.com & Pininfarina - https://pininfarina.it
