1973 Ferrari 246 Dino

The prototype for the Dino 246 appeared in early 1969, with the production version being rolled out only months later. Production continued until 1973.

The preceding Dino 206 was the marque's first V-6, mid-engine road-going model, steeped in Ferrari's victorious Dino V-6 racing heritage since the latter 1950s. The 2.0-liter Dino 206 GT (for 1968 only) and the 2.4-liter Dino 246 were the results of a joint Ferrari and Fiat collaboration to meet F2 racing-homologation requirements enacted for 1967. Scaglietti built the vehicle while the Ferrari-designed engine was built by Fiat.

The 'junior' Ferrari was birthed from the need for a production-based engine for the new Formula 2. Introduced at the Turin Motor Show in 1967, the Dino 206 GT was the latest in a line of Dino V6 'quad-cam' engines that stretched back to the late 1950s,. The new powerplant would find success in the showroom and one the racetrack, with Derek Bell and Ernesto Brambilla winning races in the European Championship, while Andrea de Adamich triumphed in the 1968 Argentine Temporada series.

The knowledge gained from Maranello's successful limited edition Dino 206 S sports-racer of 1966 transferred to a mid-engined road car, albeit its powerplant was installed transversely rather than longitudinally. The Pininfarina-styled Dino - named after Enzo Ferrari's late son Alfredino Ferrari - was a compact, aluminium-bodied coupé powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cam V6 driving via an in-unit five-speed transaxle. It developed 180 brake horsepower which was good enough to propel the lightweight, aerodynamically-efficient Dino to 142 mph. The Dino excelled in every aspect except sales, hampered by its high cost due to its aluminum construction.

Dino 246
The Dino 246 was almost identical to the 206 and just like the 206, it did not wear any Ferrari logos or badges. There were a few aesthetic changes and a larger wheelbase (2.1-inch increase). Under the skin, however, there were differences. The 246 had a more reliable and larger V-6 engine that was capable of almost 200 hp (European version). The American version had a slightly lower horsepower rating. The 2,418cc dual overhead camshaft 65-degree V6 engine was fitted with three Weber 40 DCN F7 carburetors and delivered 180 horsepower at 7,600 RPM. It used a five-speed manual transaxle and four-wheel servo-assisted hydraulic disc brakes provided the stopping power. The all-wheel independent suspension used coil springs and shock absorbers.

Built by Scaglietti, the body was now steel, and the cylinder block was cast iron rather than aluminum. Weight gains were offset by an increase in horsepower.

Production and Body Styles
The 246 GT was produced from 1969 through 1974, and Targa-roofed 246 GTS (Gran Turismo Spyder), which was produced from 1972 through 1974, proved quite popular, especially in North America. Over the following five years, 2,295 coupes were built alongside a further 1,274 GTS spiders, which featured a removable Targa-style roof.

Series Development
The Dino 246 was built in three series: 'L', 'M', and 'E', respectively, these designations reflecting detailed changes in the specification. The 'M' series is by far the rarest, being produced during the early months of 1971 only. Changes from the preceding 'L' series had included a 30mm increase in rear track; internal boot release; five-bolt fixing for the road wheels; various minor improvements to the engine and gearbox; and seat-mounted headrests. The final 'E' series incorporated the improvements of its predecessors added numerous other minor changes, and updates to the engine and gearbox.

chairs and flares
When the 7½-inch Campagnola rims became available in 1972, the fenders were widened to accommodate the optional rims. Some of these cars were also furnished with Daytona seats, referring to the racing-style bucket seats available concurrently in the V-12 Daytona. When the Dino was equipped with both these items, they took on the 'chairs and flares' moniker. Fewer than 150 GTS examples are believed to have been built with both 'Chairs & Flares,' plus 40 examples of the 246 GT (including 15 built for the European market). Roughly 300 examples were fitted with the larger wheel arches, including the nearly 200 'Chairs & Flares.'

The factory 'flared wheel well' option cost $675, and the 'Daytona Seats' was a $110 option.

Comparison of the 206 GT and 246 GT/GTS

Dimensions
- The Dino 206 GT had a 90-inch wheelbase, an overall length of 163 inches, a height of 44 inches, and 67 inches wide.
- The Dino 246 GT/GTS had a 92-inch wheelbase, an overall length of 167 inches, a height of 45 inches, and was 67 inches wide.

Weight Comparison
- The Dino 206 GT weighed approximately 900 kg (1,984 lbs).
- The Dino 246 GT weighed 1,080 kg (2,380lb); the 246 Dino GTS weighed 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs).

Engine Comparison
- The Dino 206 GT used a 2.0-liter 65-degree all-aluminum V6 rated at 178 bhp at 8,000 RPM and 138 lb-ft at 6,500 RPM.
- The Dino 246 GT/GTS had a 2.4-liter 65-degree V6 (iron block with alloy heads) rated at 192 bhp at 7,600 RPM and 166 lb-ft at 5,500 RPM.

Production Comparison
- 152 examples of the 206 GT were built (1967 to 1969).
- 3,569 examples of the 246 GT/GTS were built (1969 to 1974).

Performance Comparison
- The Dino 206 GT had a top speed of 146 mph (235 km/h). Sports Car Graphic recorded a 0–60 mph time of 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 142 mph in Enzo's personal car.
- The 246 had a claimed top speed of 146 mph (235 km/h). (Britain's Motor magazine reported a top speed of 148 mph (238 km/h)).

by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2005