1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS - Classiche Certification Ω

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.

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.

Presented here for auction at the National Ferrari Day in association with the Ferrari Owners Club Great Britain is a beautiful 1973 Dino GTS, chassis number 05880 delivered in March 1973 to GW Perfect, Bucks finished in Blu Dino Metallic with a Pelle Beige interior. The car presents beautifully and remains in its factory colours indicating just 24,277 miles on the speedometer at the time of cataloguing. Importantly, this example is supported by Ferrari Classiche Certificate confirming the matching numbers engine, correct colours and original unrepaired chassis. Offered directly from a significant car collection in Germany, chassis 05880 is accompanied by a history file which includes German registration papers and invoices for maintenance over the years including a full engine rebuild in April 2020 carried out by a highly regarded Ferrari specialist. Records indicate that this beautiful GTS remained in the ownership of GW Perfect from 1973 until 1989, selling to another UK owner before being exported to Germany in 2009.  It's also accompanied by the desirable Classiche 'Red Book, the original Warranty Card, confirmation that the Perspex headlamp covers were fitted from new and the original Bill of Sale from Maranello Concessionaires dated 10/04/1973 for £5,998.52. There is also paperwork detailing comprehensive maintenance including professional inspections whilst the car was in Germany

Correctly dry stored and enjoyed occasionally, this remarkably well-preserved Dino with low mileage and low ownership is presented to market in the UK, correctly imported on a temporary UK Customs Bond ready to be exported globally or re-registered here in the UK. In summary, this is a highly desirable, collector-grade, UK-supplied, right-hand drive Dino GTS with a Ferrari Classiche and finished in rarely seen Blu Dino Metallic which perfectly suits its glorious Pininfarina lines.