1971 Ferrari 246 GT Dino

On the 2nd August 1971 a letter was sent from Ferrari Servizio Commerciale to Maranello Concessionaires Ltd thanking them for their latest order. The car in question was right-hand drive, had electric windows and was finished in Bianco Polo Park with dark blue interior. Labelled on the original paperwork as 'D/76 - SHOW CAR', chassis number 02524 made its way to the 1971 Earls Court Motor Show 'by lorry'. Once it had completed its exhibiting duties, the Dino was entrusted to Dick Lovett for sale on 1st November 1971. An additional document dated 30th November 1971 details a warranty claim for a flywheel. The customer's name is shown as a Mr Rob Walker. The first documented keeper was a Mr D.C. Lock of King's Lynn. According to an old registration document, he acquired this vehicle on the 1st January 1972 and owned it until 2009, when it was purchased by a Mr C.A. Shaw. In 2009 the car was restored from the ground up by Mr Shaw, being a specialist classic car restorer himself. A large album of photographs meticulously detail a thorough rebuild. The body was stripped of the old faded paint, taken back to bare metal and painted the original Bianco Polo Park once again. The suspension was rebuilt, along with the braking system and fuel system. The engine was also completely stripped and rebuilt with new pistons and new main/big end bearings. The gearbox and differential were also rebuilt and the carburettors reconditioned by a specialist. A vast number of hours were spent getting the car back to as-new condition and there are invoices for parts used in the history file. Once completed, the Dino was driven by Richard Heseltine for the April 2011 edition of Classic Cars Magazine. "Once able to stretch it beyond first gear, all outside considerations of the weather, the car's value and just about everything else evaporate. This is truly, really, heavenly." A full mechanical report and bills for very recent work, including an engine rebuild, will be made available by marque specialist Gary Tait. Bidders that require specific mechanical details can contact Gary for an overview or general discussion at GT Auto Specialist. With a total of only three documented keepers from new, this 246 GT has been used sparingly over the years, covering only 51,542 miles. It is believed to be the only right-hand drive example ordered new in white with a blue interior and is supplied with a large history file with original factory records, old invoices, some old MoTs dating back to 1978 and approximately 100 photographs of the extensive restoration. A chance to go back to the 1971 Earls Court Motor Show... and drive the star exhibit home.