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.
Reprinted below is RM Sotheby’s description:
Chassis No. 07182
Engine No. 11496
Gearbox No. 2240
One of only 256, UK-supplied RHD Dino 246 GTS
Supplied new in the extremely rare Bleu Chiaro Metallizzato, used on only 62 Dinos worldwide and only six RHD Dinos
Special order interior with cloth inserts
Previously owned by British racing driver Digby Martland
Presented in concours condition, in its original colour combination
Classiche Certified in 2020 as fully matching numbers
Just under 52,500 miles from new
Accompanied by its original book pack (including numbered warranty card), tool kit, and jack
Exceptional, comprehensive history file, including period pictures
An unrepeatable opportunity to acquire one of the most spectacular Dinos ever built in RHD
One of only six RHD, UK delivery 246 GTS Dinos finished in Bleu Chiaro Metallizzato, chassis no. 07182 is unequivocally one of the most spectacular of the 256 UK delivery cars to come to market in recent memory.
Invoiced to Maranello Concessionaires in October of 1973, factory invoices show this Dino was equipped with electric windows, metallic paint, and black cloth seat inserts alongside a Beige leather interior. Rather than remaining in Great Britain, it was sold new to Henry Linton Cars Ltd. of Jersey in the Channel Islands.
Amazingly, the car’s history file contains documentation tracing its history all the way back to 1975 when the car was registered to Digby Martland of St. John. Martland was a well-known racing driver in the UK and is noted as being Chevron’s first GT customer, sharing a works-entered Chevron B16 with Clive Baker in the 1970 24 Hours Le Mans.
The Dino returned to Britain in 1977 when it was sold via the Greencoat Motor Company on Vauxhall Bridge Road in London to C. Speairs.
Invoiced to Mr. Speairs out of an address in London, Speairs was the director of the Australian Express newspaper, which had an office in London, but the Dino itself would be for him to enjoy in his native Australia.
The Dino was loaded onto the MV Abel Tasman, and scheduled for arrival in Brisbane in March of 1978. Early Australian ownership is chronicled in a document included in the file and perhaps most interestingly, the car was purchased by Ralph Howie of Sydney in October of 1983 having seen a classified ad which also remains in the car’s file: “Ferrari 246 Dino Targa: $29,750. Almost concours condition. Low mileage. Excellent mechanicals, body, interior. New Pioneer stereo cassette. Michelin tyres. Superb car for the collector.”
Remaining in Sydney, the Dino was purchased by Peter Steensel in December 1983 and he would go on to own the car until 1999. Paul Stevenson, also of Sydney, would be the car’s next owner. It would be Stevenson who would export the car back to the UK and shortly after its arrival, it was acquired by Geoffrey Rollason of London.
Mario Bondini of Surrey was the car’s next owner, acquiring it in 2014. The car was certified by Ferrari Classiche in 2020 in his ownership, confirming that it retains its original chassis, engine, gearbox, and bodywork. There are a number of service invoices on hand from its time back in the UK, all from authorized Ferrari dealerships or specialist workshops including Meridien Modena, Autofficina, and Bob Houghton.
Following this work the car was invited to the prestigious Cartier “Style et Luxe” Concours D’Elegance at Goodwood’s Festival of Speed.
In the summer of 2024, it was decided that the Dino would be returned to its as-delivered specification of Bleu Chiaro Metallizzato over Beige with black fabric inserts. Webster and Lancaster in Watford was contracted to strip the car back and repaint, painstakingly ensuring the colour was period correct with the help of both colour period photographs and Dino expert Matthias Bartz. Whilst the interior was retrimmed simultaneously by O’Rourke Coachtrimmers in West Sussex. Photos of this work are available in the history file.
The results speak for themselves; the Dino is truly spectacular to behold. The car’s history file is spectacular, chronicling its journey from Jersey to London, then Australia, and back again, and also warrants the car’s mileage, showing less than 52,500 miles, as original. Importantly, the car is also accompanied by its original manuals and service book, which even bears a stamp from a service in Jersey in April of 1974.
Finding a beautifully restored and tastefully specified Dino with a known history from new and Classiche certification to its name is a more difficult task than one would imagine. Only six RHD Dinos were finished in Bleu Chiaro Metallizzato, making this car all the more remarkable. With its unique special order interior all it needs now is an enthusiastic new owner ready to cherish and enjoy it for years to come.
