• Delivered new in Italy
• Extensively restored, photographs on file
• Late E-series example
• One owner from new until 2014
• Present ownership since circa 2014

"It is a thrill to drive a car like the Dino, one whose capabilities are far beyond what even an expert driver can use in most real-world motoring, and that is the Dino's reason for being. The real joy of a good mid-engined car is in its handling and braking and the Dino shone as we expected it to. The steering is quick without being super quick, and it transmits by what seems a carefully planned amount of feedback exactly what is going on at the tyres. Thanks to the layout's low polar moment of inertia the car responds instantly to it. The Dino's cornering limits are very high..." – Road & Track.

It was the need for a production-based engine for the new Formula 2 that had prompted the introduction of a 'junior' Ferrari, the Dino 206 GT, at the Turin Motor Show in 1967. The latest in a line of Dino V6 'quad-cam' engines stretching back to the late 1950s, the new unit proved as successful on the racetrack as in the showroom, Derek Bell and Ernesto Brambilla both winning races in the European Championship, while Andrea de Adamich triumphed in the 1968 Argentine Temporada series.

Building on experienced gained with its successful limited edition Dino 206S sports-racer of 1966, Ferrari retained the racer's mid-engined layout for the road car but installed the power unit transversely rather than longitudinally. 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. Of the three, the M-series is by far the rarest, being produced during the early months of 1971 only. Changes from the preceding L-series included a 30mm increase in rear track; five-bolt fixing for the road wheels; internal boot release; seat-mounted headrests; and various minor improvements to the engine and gearbox. The final 'E' series incorporated all the changes made to its predecessors together with further improvements to the engine and gearbox and numerous other more minor details.

While not quite as fast in a straight line as its larger V12-engined stablemates, the nimble Dino was capable of showing almost anything a clean pair of heels over twisty going. Truly a driver's car par excellence and still highly regarded today.

One of the final 'E-Series' cars, the beautiful Dino offered here was first registered in Italy on 7th June 1974 and allocated the registration number 'CZ 150307'. The car was originally owned by a resident of Crotone, Italy, and remained in his ownership until 2014 when it was exported to Holland (see declaration on file signed by the Italian owner dated 1st July 2014). A subsequent document relates to the official cessation of circulation for export within the European Union on 14th July 2014. The file also contains Swiss registration and inspection documentation referencing chassis '07588', indicating that the Dino entered Switzerland on 11th February 2015. The car comes with a copy of the aforementioned Italian titles and the original Swiss import document 13.20 attesting that Swiss taxed were paid.

There is also a wealth of photography on file recording a bare-metal bodywork restoration (most probably performed in Italy). These photographs show that prior to dismantling, the Dino was already red (as it is presented today) and with a black vinyl interior.

Following its restoration the car presents well today; it runs and drives despite having been in static storage for many years, but will nevertheless require thorough recommissioning prior to being driven again on public roads.

Please note that, subject to acceptance by Belgian Customs as a qualifying collector's vehicle, if this vehicle is imported and remains in Belgium it will benefit from 0% Import Duty and the reduced Belgian Import VAT rate of 6%. Please note that if you purchase as an EU Company, import rates and VAT treatment may vary if the vehicle is imported into another EU Member State. An administration fee will be charged to prepare the necessary customs clearances with the Bonhams Customs Agents. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Car Department or our recommended shippers.