One to Buy: 39,000 mile Viola Met. 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS
/ Ben Tyer
The original V6-powered Dino was born out of Enzo Ferrari’s desire to go Formula 2 racing when new regulations would come into effect for 1967 with a 1.6-litre and six cylinder engine limit. As a minimum of 500 engines was required to achieve homologation (a number Ferrari did not have the capacity to meet), Fiat was brought in as a production partner.
With the engine specification finalised, Fiat and Ferrari set about designing new cars to take the engine.
Fiat came up with two models: the Dino Spider (with bodywork by Pininfarina) and the Dino Coupe (with bodywork by Bertone). Ferrari conceived the Dino GT (another Pininfarina design).
All three models were initially built with the V6 Dino block enlarged to two-litres (206).
In August 1969 the Ferrari Dino received a further enlarged 2.4-litre engine (the 246) and a gorgeous targa-topped GTS subsequently joined the fray after making its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1972.
Currently on offer at the Tom Hartley Jnr. showroom in the UK is one of the finest right-hand drive examples of a Dino 246 GTS in existence and undoubtedly one of the best configured.
Presented in its original eye-popping colour scheme of Viola Metallizato with Nero upholstery, chassis 07106 comes from the final year of production (1974) and has had just four owners from new.
It has covered a little over 39,000 miles and has recently undergone a complete refurbishment by marque experts. Importantly, the car comes complete with a well documented history file to include its original dealer sales invoice.