One to Buy: ex-Digby Martland 1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS
/
A little over five years after Porsche had introduced a targa-topped version of its 911, Ferrari did the same with the Dino 246.
Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1972, the Dino 246 GTS featured a removable roof panel that could be stowed behind the seats. To compensate for the lack of a roof, the chassis was reinforced with extra bracing along the sides and front of the engine frame. The roll hoop was also beefed up and instead of rear quarter windows, GTS variants gained three rectangular grilles to aid cockpit ventilation.
In total, 1274 examples of the GTS were built between 1972 and 1974, around 20% of which were right-hand drive.
Today, one of those rare right-hand drive GTS Dinos is currently on offer with RM Sotheby’s Private Sales department out of Chobham, Surrey.
Chassis 07182 was one of just six right-hand drive Dinos originally ordered in handsome Bleu Chiaro Metallizzato and the only one of those configured with Beige upholstery with special order fabric seat inserts (in black).
The new car was delivered to Henry Linton Cars Ltd. of Jersey and, by 1975, was in the possession of noted racing driver, Digby Martland. Perhaps most famously, Martland had been due to co-drive John Woolfe’s Porsche 917 at the 1969 Le Mans 24 Hours. However, after just two laps in the car, Martland conceded the 917 was too much of a handful and wisely told John Woolfe he didn’t want to drive it. John Woolfe ultimately went on to lose his life in the Porsche following a fiery opening lap accident.
Digby Martland retained the Dino until 1977, since which time it has gone through the hands of several collectors to include a sojourn in Australia. More recently, chassis 07182 has been restored to its original specification. It has covered just 52,500 miles from new and comes complete with original books and tools along with Ferrari Classiche certification that confirms its matching numbers status.
