Most Dino sports cars were never given the honour of officially being a Ferrari, but today they are commanding Ferrari money. This blue example is particularly rare.
The truth about the Ferrari Dino models is that they were shunned and disregarded as ‘not a true Ferrari’ when new. In fact, the Dino wasn’t even officially accepted into the Ferrari stable until 1976 with the Dino 308 GT4. Today, the irony is that these sports cars are fought over in auction houses all over the world and commands some eye-watering values. This rare right-hand drive Dino, to be auctioned by Silverstone Auctions, is a good example of how the model has gone from zero, to hero.
Believed to be one of just 235 right-hand drive Ferrari Dino 246GT Coupes ever built, this car is made all the rarer by its distinctive blue Azzurro Dino paintwork with just two or three cars finished in this colour. It was delivered new in late 1971 and retains its original specification almost 50 years later.
The car’s odometer reads 51,786 miles, but the sports car has actually only had four registered owners. One of the longest custodians submitted this Dino for restoration work in 1991 that included an engine rebuild and paint refresh. The whole process was documented and photographed with the Dino being accompanied by a 232 image album of the work being carried out.
This Dino has also spent some time in the spotlight after being selected as the ‘Difinative Dino’ by the UK’s Haynes National Motor Museum and put on display. It has also been on the cover of Classic & Sports Car magazine as well as featuring in the publications annual calendar. In addition, Autocar included this Dino in its ‘one hundred most beautiful cars in pictures’ feature.
The car’s current owner had this classic overhauled last year with particular attention being paid to the suspension and brakes at a cost of $13,000. It has also recently been reupholstered in the correct, factory-supplied, ‘mouse hair’ material.
This Dino comes with an extensive history file that includes original MoTs, Bill of Sale, owners manuals, and even a wiring diagram. The 80-page folder also includes the car’s Classiche 'Certificato di Autenticita’ which was issued on 25th July 2016.
Originally designed to be a more affordable sports car to take on Porsche’s 911, the Dino sub-brand was launched in 1968. It was the brainchild of Dino Ferrari, Enzo’s son, and its V6 engine provided the perfect opportunity for Ferrari to compete in the new Formula 2 motorsport category. However, the Dino wasn’t deemed worthy of the Scuderia's shield due to its lack of V12 engine.
Over the years there were various iterations of the Dino with more powerful V6 engines, but it was to be the V8-powered Dino 308 GT4 2+2 that would eventually wear a Prancing Horse in 1976, also becoming the first V8 Ferrari road car in the process.
This 1972 Ferrari Dino 246GT Coupe has an estimate of $310,000 - $361,000 for its appearance at Silverstone Auctions Race Retro sale on 23 February 2019.
Source: Silverstone Auctions
