1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS

•One of only 235 UK right-hand drive 246 GTS Dinos• Recent glass-out respray in its original colour of Argento Auteuil • Documented and photographed engine rebuild by Foskers in 2008 (£12,842)•Supplied with a comprehensive history file, UK V5c and MoT'd until 18th July 2019

The Ferrari Dino was built to honour Alfredo 'Dino' Ferrari who died of muscular dystrophy in 1956. He was the only legitimate son of 'Il Commendatore', and unlike any previous road-going Ferrari, the Dino utilised a V6 engine (Tipo 156) which Alfredo himself had developed and advocated during his lifetime.

Enzo Ferrari vehemently answered his critics when he said: "For reasons of mechanical efficiency he finally came to the conclusion that the engine should be a V6 and we accept his decision." The acceptance of this decision resulted in a legacy of motorsport orientated derivatives from Formula One through to various famous sports car racing applications. Following this continued success on the track and in order to homologate Ferrari's 1966 Formula Two campaign, a new line of mid-engined production V6 coupés with Fiat running gear went on sale in 1967 in two-litre form. However, in 1969 a larger 2.4 litre Dino was introduced, named the 246 GT or GTS in the case of the Spider.

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. It covered a tubular chassis which carried wishbone independent suspension at each corner. The compact four-cam engine, which delivered 190bhp, was mounted transversely above the five-speed gearbox and just ahead of the rear axle, allowing for both a comfortable cockpit and some usable boot space. Proving a great sales success, production of the Dino 246 finished in 1974 with 2,487 GTs and 1,274 GTS models.

We are incredibly pleased to offer this particular, UK-supplied, right-hand drive Ferrari 246 GTS Dino, which was delivered through S.G.M. Garages Ltd of Newcastle Upon Tyne to its first owner at Conforth Developments Ltd, Country Durham on 24th September 1973. As confirmed by a letter from Tony Willis and copies of the original order, chassis #06964 was finished in Argento Auteuil with a black interior. It was also specified with 2 door mirrors, Perspex headlight covers and an electric aerial – features it retains to this day.

After two further owners, the car was purchased by John Harris, who was the sound engineer for rock band Queen. Legend has it that the Queen song “I"m in Love with My Car” was written about him and his attachment to the Dino! After Mr Harris" ownership and in the early 1980s, the car was purchased by a Mr J. Ford who had it completely restored by Rosso Ltd, culminating in a Concours class win in 1982 at a Ferrari Owners Club, Eastington Hall Concours.

By 2008, chassis #06964 was owned by a Mr N. Freeman of Gloucestershire who decided the Ferrari could do with a bit of attention and an engine rebuild was top of the list. This was carried out in May 2008 by leading Ferrari specialists, Foskers, who completely removed and dismantled the engine, cleaning, machining and replacing parts where necessary. A detailed invoice for £12,842 and a set of photographs document the work that was carried out. Later that year the suspension and braking system received a full overhaul along with some bodywork repairs generating three further invoices totalling £14,000. Most recently, this stunning 246 GTS was returned to its original colour scheme and Foskers were again chosen to complete the full glass-out respray totalling £18,338 as confirmed by an invoice in the file.

A 700-mile round trip to the Le Mans Classic was completed this year in #06964 with the Ferrari performing effortlessly in the searing heat – perhaps the only over-heating was by the driver and his co-pilot!

Supplied with a UK V5c, an MoT until 18th July 2019, a Driver's manual, leather wallet and a comprehensive history file, this 246 GTS Dino is now showing 60,482 miles and has to be one of the finest available today. Rarely, do well-documented cars of this quality come to market, and we are proud to offer this beautiful example which is now ready to begin the next chapter of its life. The Le Mans Classic in 2020 perhaps?