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1972 Ferrari 246 Dino news, pictures, and information

The prototype for the 246 appeared in the early part of 1969 with the production version being rolled out only months later. Production continued until 1973. A total of 2,487 246's were produced.

Scaglietti built the vehicle while the Ferrari designed engine was built by Fiat.

The Dino 246 was almost identical to the 206. 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 hood, however, they 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.
Coupe
Designer: Scaglietti
 
The Dino story began with a Dino Berlinetta Speciale concept car designed by Aldo Brovarone at Pininfarina. It debuted at the 1965 Paris Auto Show with a longitudinally mounted V-6.

Enzo Ferrari named the road-going Dino, his first attempt at a mid-engine production street car, as a tribute to his son Alfredino Ferrari, who died in 1965. The first production Dino 206 hit the road in 1967 with a 2.0-liter Transversely mounted dual-overhead-camshaft aluminum V-6 engine and a Scaglietti-built aluminum body. Later models wore easier-to-build and less-expensive steel bodies. The Dino's name was changed to 246 GT for 1970 when its engine was enlarged to 2.4 liters. Fed by a trio of twin-barrel downdraft Weber carburetors, it pumped out a healthy 195 horsepower.

Known more of voluptuous design and perfect dynamic balance than for speed, the Dino's commercial success led to further development of mid-engine Ferraris up to the modern supercars enjoyed by affluent enthusiasts today. A total of around 3,600 Dinos were produced, very few in this color.
GTS Spyder
Designer: Scaglietti
Chassis Num: 03128
 
Sold for $156,750 at 2008 RM Auctions.
Sold for $159,500 at 2009 RM Auctions.
The Dino 206S was introduced at the 1965 Paris Auto Show. It was named in honor of Enzo Ferrari's son Alfredino. Alfredino had earned an engineering degree; upon completion, he began work on developing a new V6 race engine for Ferrari. Sadly, his life and the task were cut short, as he passed away at the very young age of 24. Enzo tasked engineer Vittorio Jano to complete the work in honor of his son. The engine would later be used in road going cars and to power various Ferrari Formula 1, 2, and 3 cars.

The Dino 206S was powered by the V6 engine. A Dino Berlinetta GT version was later shown at the 1966 Turin Show. The V6 engine displaced 1986cc and produced 180 horsepower. It was placed mid-ship and became Ferrari's first mid-engine production car.

The Dino car was devoid of any Ferrari badging. During this time in history, Ferrari and Fiat had formed a relationship. Fiat produced the engine and in return, was able to use it in their front-engined coupe and spyder, and later in the Lancia Stratos.

In 1969 the V6 engine was enlarged to 2418cc and power reached nearly 200 horsepower. The GTS featured a targa-roof which allowed for open-air driving while offering the true benefits of a sports car. More versions of the coupe were produced, leaving the GTS a very sought-after commodity in modern times. Some have had their coupe's converted into Targas. That is what happened to this car, bearing chassis number 03128. It is a matching numbers example that has traveled a mere 29,000 miles during its existence. It is finished in metallic silver with deep red Daytona style seats with black inserts. It is equipped with power windows and factory air conditioning. It was the subject of a professional three-year restoration that was done to the highest of standards.

In 2008 this 1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GT Spyder Conversion was brought to the Automobiles of Amelia presented by RM Auctions where it had an estimated value of $150,000 - $157,000. When bidding had subsided, the lot had been sold for a high bid of $156,750.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2008
Coupe
Designer: Scaglietti
Chassis Num: 03656
 
Sold for $118,250 at 2008 RM Auctions.
In 1969 the V6 engine was enlarged to 2418cc and the output was increased to 195 brake horsepower. There were nearly 3,800 examples of the 246 Dinos in the years spanning 1969 to 1974. 2,476 of these were GT coupe versions.

This 1972 Ferrari Dino 246GT has had just three owners since new and remains original and un-restored. In the early 1980s, the car was apparently repainted as the original factory paint had begun to fade. The interior is reported to be entirely original, including the Becker radio, seats, dash, and carpets.

In 2008, this vehicle was offered for sale at the 'Sports & Classics in Monterey' presented by RM Auctions where it was estimated to sell for $125,000 - $150,000. It was offered without reserve and sold for $118,250.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2009
GTS Spyder
Designer: Scaglietti
Chassis Num: 04370
 
The 246 GT began in 1969 after the 206. The 246 had a larger engine with cast-iron block and produced 195 bhp. Even though the engine was larger, so was the weight of the vehice.

In 1972 the 246 GTS was unveiled. This featured a removable targa roof panel without the small rear side windows.

The 246 model continued until 1973. In total, 2,732 GT's and 1,180 GTS's were produced.

It is interesting to note that none of the 246's were sold with the Ferrari badge.
This 1972 Dino GTS has been owned by its current owner for almost 30 years, and after a number of competition events, the car is now 'retired.' As a younger car this 246 GTS raced at Sears Point, competed for 10 years at the Virginia City Hill Climb, and ran at club track days at Laguna Seca. The 246 GTS, with its removable top panel, arrived with the advent of the Series III V6 Dinos. Aside from the new Spyder configuration, these cars featured minor changes over the earlier ones, such as new gear ratios and a revised fuel system.
GTS Spyder
Designer: Scaglietti
 
The Ferrari heritage traces its roots to the pre-war WWII period when Enzo Ferrari ran Scuderia Ferrari in 1929 as an Alfa Romeo racing team, before becoming independent in 1939. In 1947 Ferrari started building their own cars. Scuderia Ferrari is the oldest surviving team in Grand Prix racing, having competed since 1932, and the most successful Formula One team in history as well with record 15 driver's and 16 manufacturer's championships.

Ferrari built passenger cars to support his racing team. For many years the cars were street versions of his road racing cars. As tastes changed and private owners expected more amenities, the road cars became more refined. The gasoline crisis in the early 1970's brought a demand for smaller more efficient sports cars. Maserati responded with the Merak, Lamborghini with Urraco and Ferrari with Dino.

The car was named after Enzo's son Alfredino, who died from muscular dystrophy in 1956. The 6 cylinder double overhead cam engine was a project Alfredino had been working on. This was Ferrari's first V-6 engine. Enzo did not call the car a Ferrari, because as he had previously stated a Ferrari must have 12 cylinders. The body was designed and built by Pininfarina. It is one of the best interpretations of the 2-passenger mid-engine sports car.

This example is the only 246 Dino with fuel injection. It set the lap record at Riverside Raceway in 1977 with a lap of 1:48.6. Paul Newman drove the car at Willow Springs Race Track in 1977.
Coupe
Designer: Scaglietti
 
Enzo Ferrari named his first mid-engine road car, the Dino, after his son, Alfredino, who had died tragically in 1965. He was just 24 at the time and had completed an education in engineering. The first Dinos were created in 1967. They carried a 2.0 liter transversely mounted dual-overhead-camshaft aluminum V6 engine, cloaked in aluminum coachwork by Scaglietti.

The 246 GT models were steel bodied and carried a larger 2.4 liter engine. The engine is fed by a trio of twin-barreled Weber carburetors, and produces approximately 195 horsepower.

Dinos are known more for their excellent dynamic balance, rather than their outright speed. However, their commercial success (3,600 were built), led to the further development of Ferrari mid-engine designs. So the Dino can be referred to as the father of today's modern mid-engine Italian super car.
The 206 Dino was built by Enzo Ferrari as a tribute to his son who passed away in 1956 at the age of 24 due to kidney disease. Alfredo Ferrari, more commonly known as Dino, was Enzo Ferrari's only son (Alfredo was also Enzo's brother and fathers' name). Afredo had been trained in Switzerland as an engineer, after which he returned to the family business and received tutoring from his father. It was Enzo's dream to one-day hand over the keys to the company to his son. Sadly, that never transpired.
The 206S first debuted in 1965 at the Paris Salon. The Dino Berlinetta GT Prototype was debuted later in 1966 at the Turin Show and again in 1967 at the same show but this time as a production model. The Dino Berlinetta was Ferrari's first transverse-mounted mid-engine vehicle.

The design was done by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti at the Maranello assembly facility. The body was alloy and the frame was steel.

The Dino 206 did not receive any Ferrari marque. It was void of the signature 'horse' logo, making it never officially a Ferrari. Rather, it was marketed as a separate marque.

The Dino was also built to compete against the Porsche 911. In order to meet the Formula Two racing regulations, over 500 production units had to be made. Ferrari was not capable of producing such numbers. So Ferrari relied on other resources. The engine was supplied by Fiat with half the number of cylinders that Ferrari was accustomed to working with. It was an all-alloy 2-liter, quad-cam, V-6 engine capable of producing between 140 and 180 horsepower. Side vents were located on the car which helped with cooling the engine.

Production continued until the end of 1969.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2006
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