If you have a brother or sister, you know the sequence of siblings can influence your personality, behavior, expectations, and life outcomes. Sometimes, when you’re on the younger side of the family spectrum, you feel you’re always in the shadow. Our Pick of the Day sat in the shadow of Ferrari but, over time, it has established itself as no one’s kid brother. This 1973 Dino 246 GTS is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Huntington Station, New York.
The concept for the Dino originated with Enzo Ferrari’s son, Alfredo “Dino” Ferrari. He had suggested the development of a V-6 for Formula Two racing, but muscular dystrophy resulted in his passing at age 24 in 1956. In honor of his son, Enzo named the series of V-6 race cars “Dino,” a marque which eventually found itself producing several road cars in the 1960-70s. It’s possible you know these cars as Ferrari Dinos but, at the time, Ferrari did not want to cannibalize its V-12 reputation with a cheaper product. History has shown there was nothing to worry about as the Dino has become one of the most storied and successful road-going vehicles from Maranello.
The mid-engined Dino 206 GT debuted in 1967 and featured a body designed by Pininfarina and an aluminum 2.0-liter DOHC V-6 with 178 horsepower. In 1969, it was updated as the Dino 246 GT coupe and eventually the 1972-74 Dino GTS (the “S” being “Spyder” with a targa top). Powering the latter two was the V-6 (now cast-iron with aluminum heads) upgraded to 2.4 liters and 192 horses. Both of these engines also found their ways into the front-engined Fiat Dino Spider and Coupe.
The Dino 246 was produced in three series. Series I 246 GTs were produced through 1970 and featured opposing windshield wipers and center-lock wheels; Series II 246 GTs continued with five-bolt Cromodora allow wheels and parallel windshield wipers; Series III included the 246 GTS and featured new carburetion, gearing, and U.S. certification. The Series III also carried the bulk of Dino production.
The Bertone-styled V-8 successor, the 1973 Dino 308 GT4 2+2, was eventually folded into the Ferrari brand, and this car led to the creation of the most iconic of Ferraris, the 308 GTB/GTS.
This 30,000-mile 1973 Dino 246 GTS — painted in the luxurious hue of Marrone Colorado (“reddish brown”) — is especially fetching when paired with the light tan Daytona seats, which was a legitimate Dino option. This vehicle was completed by the factory in June 1973 and delivered the following August to Willowdale, Ontario, Canada. Ten years later, it was imported to the U.S., eventually finding its way to an owner in West Palm Beach, Florida, from 1988-2015. This Dino then ended up in the UK, then restored with 32,340 miles on the odometer, and found its way back to the U.S. “This 246 GTS Dino is supplied with owner’s manuals, factory tools and factory jack as well as ownership and restoration history-documentation,” says the seller. “Offered in exceptional, well restored condition, this 246 GTS Dino is ready for immediate road use and enjoyment or equally at home on the show/concours circuit.”
Though treated like a kid brother when new, the road-going Dino has been a prime Ferrari collectible for quite some time thanks to good looks, fine driving experience, and an engine personality that can be as celebrated as the traditional V-12. The Dino is also the prototype for many future Ferraris, as the mid-engine layout has been the volume seller for decades already. For price, reach out to the seller.
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