1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS

**Sale Room Announcement** Waiting return of V5C from DVLA due to Cherished number retention, expected imminently. Copy of original V5C present in history file for reference.

• Only one previous owner with current since January 1978
• Very low mileage from new with only 19,696 miles
• Finished in Argento Metallizzato with light blue leather and dark blue carpets
• Ferrari Owners Club multiple Concours winning with supporting evidence & scoring
• Serviced, new cambelts and MOT completed September 2019 (ú4,000)
• Fastidious restoration, fully documented with photographs and invoices etc
• Large and comprehensive history file including original Ferrari Warranty Card
• Continues to maintain its Concours-winning quality by adopting a 'no expense spared' guardianship

The new Dino 246GT was an absolute delight from all angles, its beauty, handling, engine note, mid-engined layout, unusually good all-round visibility and comparative affordability made it absolutely irresistible. The voluptuous bodywork, which many people regard as the prettiest ever to grace a road-going Ferrari, was designed by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti and covered a tubular chassis which carried wishbone independent suspension at each corner. The 190bhp engine, with four overhead camshafts, was mounted transversely behind the driver and in front of the rear axle. Power to the wheels was transmitted via drop gears to the transverse 5-speed gearbox, in unit with the differential and engine sump. With rack and pinion steering and a mid-engined configuration, it was a revelation in terms of road holding and stability, nothing had been made like this before and it left its larger V12-engined siblings in its wake.

This was a very modern car and a real step in Ferrari history announcing a new age for Ferrari in concept and design. Sparkling acceleration and a top speed of 145mph combined with a comfortable interior and some usable boot space meant that it was a genuine 'Grand Touring' car.

There was an addition to the range in 1972 when the Spider version was introduced. With the exception of the detachable roof there was little difference between the two models, but the 246GTS, as it was designated, has become all the more desirable as a collector's car, particularly as only 1,274 were produced in its three years of production.

This magnificent Concours-winning 246GT Spider was first registered on the 18th of May 1973 and remains a two-owners from new example with the current owner having enjoyed it for the last 42 years. A passionate Formula One fan and sports car enthusiast, it was his dream to own a Ferrari and that dream came true in January 1978 when he was able to buy a shiny Dino (at that point in Dino Blue) that was less than five years old from a fellow businessman in Yorkshire.

The Ferrari was his pride and joy and was used lightly over the years. He dedicated much time and care to maintaining it to an exceptional standard, however, it is a Ferrari and after 20 years, and having decided to keep the car forever, the time had come for more serious attention.

A professional two-year restoration was commenced in 1998 using the services of a number of the areas most knowledgeable experts and marque specialists. The bodywork was completely stripped back to bare metal, corroded panels replaced and joints/seams professionally lead-loaded throughout. The chassis was bead blasted and refinished in satin black along with the suspension components. The car was painted in Argento Metallizzato with such care that the quality of finish subsequently impressed even the most hard-nosed of Concours Judges. It was then carefully reassembled (it was a 2-year restoration) and benefitted from a new windscreen, driver's and passenger door glass, new suspension bushes, window, door and roof seals. Whilst the engine was out, it was rebuilt with new pistons, valves and seats, cylinder heads skimmed, new clutch assembly and all associated gaskets and fixings. It was then popped back into the refurbished engine bay and the process of recommissioning and getting the Ferrari running, stopping and handling correctly began. All of this work with the associated invoices can be inspected in the A4 ring-binder history file that's with the car.

Now that the Dino was restored to an immaculate condition, our vendor and his wife decided to try their hand at Ferrari Owners Club Concours and they were rewarded with a First in Class in July 2003. It wasn't entered to Concours in 2004 but was entered again in 2005 and awarded a worthy Third. With the car are the score sheets and supporting correspondence from the Ferrari Owners Club verifying such prestigious achievements.

Our vendor continued to enjoy his car and trusted the expertise of the staff at Strasse (Porsche) for ongoing maintenance and care which they carried out to the highest of standards. However, over more recent years, the Ferrari has been in dry storage and hardly used and, in order to prepare it for sale, it has been subject to a thorough recommission, including a full service, cambelt replacement and a fresh MOT. The current indicated mileage is 19,696 from new supported by the detailed history file.

This remarkable little car has been part of a caring family for 42 years and it shows. It's simply delightful, in sparkling condition, and now ready for a new custodian and further adventures, be those Ferrari Club Concours or simply stowing the lid and setting off for the Cotswolds on a sunny afternoon. Either way, you will have to be careful, as this may well turn out to be the one car that you want to keep forever.