1971 Ferrari Dino 246 Coupe

The new Dino 206GT was introduced at the Turin Motor Show in 1967. Ferrari needed a production-based engine for the new Formula 2 car which led to the creation of this 'junior' Ferrari. The new, building upon the successful limited edition Dino 206S sports-racer of 1966, retained the mid-engine layout wit had the engine transversely rather than longitudinally positioned. The coupe body was formed from aluminum and wore styling by Pininfarina. The 2-liter, four-cam V6 drove through an in-unit five-speed transaxle and produced 180 horsepower. The lightweight, aerodynamic little car had a top speed of 142 mph.

Late in 1969, the Dino 206 was replaced by a 2.4-liter version on a longer wheelbase, and named the 246 GT. The body was now made from steel and the cylinder block was formed from cast-iron rather than aluminum. The increase in power was adequate to compensate for the gain in weight. A Targa-top version, the 246 GTS, followed in 1972.

This particular example is an end-of-the-run E-Series 246 Dino that was completed at the Maranello Ferrari factory in November of 1971. It was finished in a unique green color of Verde Scurro Dino over a black interior. It was given Cromodora alloy wheels and equipped with power windows.

The car was ordered by Western US distributorship for Ferrari at the time, Modern Classic Motors, owned by William F. Harrah. It was sold to its first owner, a Mr. Wallace B. Farrell of San Bernardino, California, who is believed to have owned it until 1976, when it was purchased by a Mr. Richard L. Maddox of Santa Clara, California. A year later, it was in the ownership of Mrs. Carolyn Trenery of Martinez, California, who is believed to have kept the car until 1986. The car remained in the San Francisco Bay Area for at least a decade, before returning to Southern California, where it was in the care of a Mr. David Weir of Manhattan Beach by the mid-1990s.

Mr. J.C. Peterson of Albuquerque, New Mexico purchased the car in 2003. He kept it for about five years. It was later sold to fellow Albuquerque resident Mr. Scott Barlow. Having regretted the sale of the car, Mr. Peterson later re-purchased the car. It is currently in Northeastern ownership.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2015