1971 Dino 206 SP Homage

• A US-supplied, left-hand drive Ferrari 246 expertly re-engineered into a remarkable 206 SP re-creation
• Chassis professionally modified in the US, 206 SP Alloy body constructed by Giordenengo in Italy to original specifications
• Fitted with a longitudinally-mounted, 206 alloy block engine understood to have been rebuilt with balanced crank and motorsport pistons
• Currently UK-registered as an historic vehicle, previously registered in Germany and on-the-button ready for use
• Issued with FIVA papers in November 2012, features in ‘Ferrari World Book’ chassis 01508 Type 246 Red Dino 206 replica
• Body and interior beautifully restored in the UK by highly regarded classic specialists Sherwood Restorations
• A beautiful machine with excellent road manners suitable for road or perhaps competition use

Like its big brother, the 330P3, the Dino 206S was bodied by Drogo’s Carrozzeria Sports Cars and utilised a multi-tube frame with alloy panels riveted to it for additional stiffness, in essence a semi-monocoque structure. Ferrari’s intention was that 50 of the cars would be built, qualifying it as an FIA Group 4 Sports Car, but the financial difficulties that would lead to Ferrari’s merger with Fiat three years later prevented that optimistic goal from being met and in the end only 18 of these wonderful, quick, beautiful sports racers were built. Consequently, what started out as a Dino 206 S (for Sport) became known as the Dino 206 SP (Sport Prototipo).

Offered here is a truly remarkable 206 SP re-creation constructed using a 1971 246 Dino GT as a base with the chassis re-engineered in the USA and an all-alloy body beautifully hand-crafted in Italy. This car started life as an American-spec Ferrari Dino supplied new in 1971 and at some point, when Dino values were at a low ebb, a high quality conversion was undertaken.

Documents within the history file confirm that Jim Carpenter, a well-regarded Ferrari specialist based in Arizona, would be responsible for the Chassis modification and an all-Aluminium hand-crafted body would be commissioned by Giordenengo in Italy. The ’71 246 GT chassis was professionally modified to accept a longitudinally-mounted Ferrari 206 Dino alloy block engine which, we understand, had been uprated with ‘motorsport’ pistons, a balanced crankshaft, connecting rods and flywheel.

Reportedly never raced, the car was exported to Germany with all copies of registration papers on file and later imported into the UK. Once in the UK, the car was subject to further attention from highly regarded classic specialists, Sherwood Restorations. The scope of work included some bodywork, a full re-paint in Rosso Corsa, a new custom-made windscreen (with a spare also produced which accompanies the car), a cabin re-trim and various other works to bring this fascinating 206 SP re-creation up to its best. It must be noted that the standard of finish achieved is remarkable and any inspection of this vehicle is highly recommended with no disappointment expected.

Accompanying the car is an equally fascinating and detailed history file including a copy of the FIVA Identity Card granted in 2012, current UK registration papers (V5c), copies of previous German registration papers, details and invoices for restorations works by Sherwood Restorations, invoices from other more recent mechanical maintenance works, old MOT Certificates, correspondence between previous owners and Jim Carpenter, the Ferrari Owners Club UK and copies of paperwork from America.

In summary, this is a very attractive, well-engineered, highly versatile 206 SP re-creation that can be enjoyed as a well-mannered sports car or perhaps used in competition. The overall quality of finish is remarkably good, the Targa roof can be removed and neatly stows in the rear, the visibility from the cabin is superb, the controls are light and extremely responsive, the engine fires on-the-button and sounds keen and healthy and we are informed that the handling at speed is sublime.

It’s also worth noting that this example is recorded in the ‘Ferrari World Book’ – Handbuch Der Ferrari Seriennummern 1947-2007 which records ‘Chassis 01508 – Type 246 Red Dino 206 Replica’ which certainly underlines its provenance. To re-create this 206 SP replica today to this standard would cost a fortune, with a donor potentially costing as much as our lower estimate and we believe we believe, at this guide, this gorgeous little red Ferrari represents superb value.