Ferrari Dino 246 GT

The Dino range of sports cars was named in honour of Enzo Ferrari's son, Alfredino, who designed a dual overhead-camshaft V6 engine for both road and racing use before tragically passing away at the age of 24.

The 206GT was the first model to be introduced in 1967, proving that Ferrari could compete with the likes of Porsche by producing a car in the more budget end of the sports car spectrum. The 206 featured a 2.0 litre transverse-mounted V6 engine capable of producing 160bhp at the 8,000rpm redline.

After 150 206s were produced, the updated 246 GT and GTS were introduced, boasting a bigger and more powerful 2.4 litre engine, which produced almost 200bhp and powered the Dino onto a top speed of 148mph. This power was sent to the rear wheels through a 5-speed all-synchromesh manual gearbox. The Dino’s 2.4 litre V6 was used in several other Italian sports cars after its application in the 246, most notably the Lancia Stratos rally car.

Weighing only 1,080kg, the perfect weight distribution of the Dino thanks to its Rear-Mid-Engine layout was one of the defining features of the car, one of the all-time great handing Ferraris, on top of being one of the most beautiful.

Built in January 1972, this early E-series Dino was originally delivered to the US in Grigio Ferro Metallizzato with Rosso leather. One of the first 50 or so E-series imported to the US, it retains several desirable M-series features, including square-nose intakes, M-type bumpers, and the absence of US crash/smog modifications.

The car was imported to the U.K. in 2016, and over the following five years, it underwent a no-expense-spared restoration with Hartwood Motors of Southport, with the objective of creating the ultimate example of the model.

The car was identified as an ideal candidate for such a restoration, with the project entrusted to respected specialists with decades of experience in Ferrari Dinos. The engine, gearbox and all running gear have been fully rebuilt by Vic Cartmill.

The body and chassis were carefully stripped back to bare metal and restored to an exceptional standard by Hartwood Motors. Considerable effort was made to use new old stock (NOS) parts wherever possible. The interior was trimmed to original Rosso specification using correct hides and upholstery sourced from Henk at HVL, a supplier known to provide materials for Ferrari S.p.A's classic restorations.

Following completion, the car was delivered to Rob Olivetti at REO in Oadby, a highly regarded engineer with a reputation for expertly setting up classic Ferraris for optimal driving performance. He completed approximately 500 miles of road testing and running-in, followed by a comprehensive service at 1,000 miles, including cylinder head retorquing and valve shim adjustments.

The restoration is extensively documented with a large selection of photographs and a comprehensive file of invoices. This Dino 246 GT now stands as a concours-quality example, restored with passion, expertise, and a commitment to originality. Contact us now for more information or to arrange a viewing.