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First U.S.-Market Targa: 1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS With its Original Engine and Transaxle
As of the publishing of this article the current bid is at $325,000 with 4 days left in the auction.
This 1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS was the first of the targa-top Dinos built for the U.S. market, according to documentation from Ferrari historian Marcel Massini. The car was delivered to Bill Harrah’s Modern Classic Motors in Reno, Nevada, that June and sold to its first retail owner in July. The documented ownership trail shows that the third owner had the car from 1978-1998. The seller became the Ferrari’s fourth owner in 2021. The mid-engine V6-powered Ferrari has benefited from careful ownership, proper maintenance, and documented history throughout its life, the seller explains. A mechanical refurbishment performed in 1998 included rebuilding the numbers-matching 2.4-liter V6 engine and five-speed manual transaxle and refurbishing the suspension. The Dino’s removable top was painted to match the car’s Argento Auteuil Metallizzato (106-E-1) silver under previous ownership. The seller describes the Dino as in “great condition with normal wear.” The car will come with some awards it has garnered, including First in Class at the 2000 Newport Beach Concours d’Elegance and Third in Class at the 2000 Concorso Italiano and 2019 Tucson Classics Car Show.
Introduced in 1968, the Dino 206 GT was Ferrari’s first mid-engine road car. The V6 engine had been developed with input from Enzo Ferrari’s son, Dino, who died in 1956, and it became very successful in racing. Ferrari partnered with Fiat to assemble the engines to meet the production requirements for F2 racing. Both companies shared the engine in their respective Dino-badged cars. A 2.4-liter, iron-block version of the engine replaced the 2.0-liter in 1969, and the Ferrari became a “246.” The GT coupe was joined by the GTS model, with a one-piece lift-off roof panel, in 1972.
FEATURES
- This 1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS is believed to be the first one built for the U.S. market.
- The Dino has been fully documented by Ferrari historian Marcel Massini.
- The documentation confirms the original 2.4-liter DOHC V6 and five-speed transaxle.
- The engine and transaxle both were rebuilt in 1998.
- The engine uses three Weber two-barrel carburetors.
- New, the 65-degree V6 was rated at 175 horsepower for the U.S. market.
- Higher-capacity cooling fans were installed under previous ownership.
- An aftermarket Superformance S4 ignition module provides more reliable starting and running.
- Also in 1998, the suspension was refurbished and powder-coat painted.
- The exhaust system was replated in 1998 and has quad ANSA finishers.
- The Dino has its original Argento Auteuil Metallizzato (106-E-1) silver paint.
- The removable roof panel was painted to match under previous ownership.
- There has been no body damage to the car, according to the seller
- The car was fitted with European-style amber rear turn signal lenses.
- The 14-inch Cromodora alloy wheels have 205/70 Michelin Energy MXV4 tires.
- A matching spare wheel is fitted with an older Michelin tire in the front compartment.
- Nuvola (dark blue) leather covers the seats, door cards, and center console.
- The carpeting is matching blue.
- The Dino came equipped with air conditioning from the factory.
- Power windows were also original.
- The drilled-spoke steering wheel has the proper Dino horn button.
- A 1980s-vintage Pioneer AM/FM cassette stereo is in the car.
- The stereo operates the power antenna.
- The seller had the vent window latches updated.
