Preservation

Description

The Dino may well be Ferrari’s greatest irony. Never badged as a Ferrari, nor marketed that way. When new, it was criticized in some circles for having too-few cylinders to even be related to the firms most famous models, but the Dino would go on to arguably define the company and to become one of its most recognized models. The 246 was an evolution of the 206, the first version – which not only had an all-alloy V6, but featured aluminum body work. The 246, whilst more powerful, was made of steel and the block of its quad-cam V6, was of cast-iron.

The Dino was a car conceived to enter a market that Ferrari had no model to compete in, a market that was increasingly being dominated by Porsche’s 911, and which today might be defined as that of the “junior supercar”.

Mounting the V6 transversally to drive the gearbox via drop-gears, allowed a long and comfortable cabin, and the ability to accommodate not only a full-size spare wheel, but a usable boot, and whilst relinquishing the jump seats of the 911, the Dino still made a case as a usable sportscar.

Its famous shape, regarded by many to be ‘perfect’, was the work of Aldo Brovarone and Leonardo Fioravanti at Pininfarina and it began a linage of Ferrari ‘middies’ that continues today. Whilst production numbers were relatively high by Ferraris standards, the rate of attrition was also high. They were susceptible to rust, and when their values dropped, many were taken off the road, for repairs were often uneconomical.

This example, a Chairs and Flairs GTS in Nocciola Metalizzato, was delivered new in Singapore. Brought to Austrlaia where it spent time in Coffs Harbour, before being laid up and eventually discovered in a shed and recommissioned. The model was defined by its Campagnolo alloy wheels, small wheel-arch extensions to cover their extra width, and the fitment of Daytona seats.