1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS

• Right-hand drive
• Only five owners from new
• Present ownership since December 1984
• Regularly maintained
• Good history file

A compact, aluminium-bodied coupé of striking appearance, the Pininfarina-styled Dino - named after Enzo Ferrari's late son Alfredino Ferrari and intended as the first of a separate but related marque - was powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cam V6 driving via an in-unit five-speed transaxle. The motor's 180 brake horsepower was good enough to propel the lightweight, aerodynamically-efficient Dino to 142mph, and while there were few complaints about the car's performance, the high cost enforced by its aluminium construction hindered sales.

A 2.4-litre version on a longer wheelbase - the 246 GT - replaced the original Dino 206 in late 1969. Built by Scaglietti, the body was now steel and the cylinder block cast-iron rather than aluminium, but the bigger engine's increased power - 195bhp at 7,600rpm - adequately compensated for the weight gain. A Targa-top version, the 246 GTS, followed in 1972. The Dino 246 was built in three series: 'L', 'M' and 'E', these designations reflecting detail changes in the specification.

Finished in yellow with black trim, this right-hand drive 246 GTS comes with a good history file listing all four previous owners :

1. 28/08/73 Blackway Ltd. Portland Place, London
2. 12/08/74 CW Appelbee & Co Ltd, London
3. 25/03/76 Winsler Engineering Ltd (J R Goff), Derbyshire
4. 01/09/80 Oldkirk Ltd (Stewart Young), London
5. 22/12/84 Ken Dowie (our late owner)

The Dino was bought via Straight Six, Edgware in December 1984 for £15,000. The owner's overseas work meant the car was stored with The Doune Collection, Perthshire and used only infrequently between 1985 and 2000.

After dropping an exhaust valve, the engine was rebuilt in 1985 at a cost of circa £6,500. However, the rebuild was deemed unsatisfactory, necessitating further work by Deutsche Tune Ltd, Glasgow. At this time the Ferrari was looked after by Glenvarigill.

From 1990 Moto Technique were responsible for the Dino's regular upkeep (see file) having carried out a cosmetic restoration in circa 1990 at a cost of £22,000.
In 1991 another engine rebuild was carried out by Moto Technique (£12,000).

The Ferrari was placed in storage with Carlines of Slinfold, West Sussex where it has remained ever since. Again it has seen only limited use - annual European tours, visiting friends, etc - being professionally stored and regularly serviced before and after each tour. The current odometer reading is 87,743 miles. Services were carried out as follows:

2010 Moto Technique
2014 SMDG Ferrari Specialists, Cranleigh
2015 SMDG
2016 SMDG
2021 SMDG

As well as bills for the aforementioned works the car also comes with a V5C document and numerous old MoTs.