MOTOR CARS | 79This startlingly-liveried Ferrari Dino 246 GT is another long-term
display car from the Collezione Maranello Rosso which we can
confirm retains its original matching-number chassis, engine and
gearbox. It is the 146th Dino 246 GT to have been built out of the
total 355 units of its type.
When the original Dino 206 series was originated in combination
by Ferrari, Fiat and Pininfarina partly as an effective ‘homologation
special’ to provide a production-based 4-cam V6 engine suitable for
adaptation for single-seater Formula 2 racing use, power output was
180bhp at 8,000rpm and peak torque to 19m/kg – 137lbs/ft – at
6,500rpm. Four Silentbloc mounts united engine/gearbox aggregate
and Ferrari-made tubular chassis frame, but fewer than 200 Dino
206s were produced before being replaced in 1969 by the bigger-
engined 246GT as offered here.
The V6 engine’s displacement had grown to 2,418cc with bore and
stroke dimensions of 92.5mm x 60mm. The power unit was made
by Fiat and the iron-block engine provided 195bhp at 7,600rpm
and 23m/kg torque at 5,000rpm. Into 1970 the manufacturer’s
sales slogan became “Tiny, brilliant, safe proof of the constant
development of the smaller Ferrari cars...”. In fact, here in the Dino
development line was the very first Gran Turismo Ferrari to offer
a centrally-mounted power unit with all the balance and dynamic
stability that this race-bred location could offer.The Dino 246 GT was fast, nimble, looked utterly gorgeous, and
its Pininfarina styling combined aggressiveness and impeccably
balanced proportion in a uniquely mouth-watering manner. It was
also very keenly priced for the period at $13,400 compared to
$20,000 for the contemporary 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta.