Lot details
• Certified by Ferrari Classiche
• Sold new in France, where it stayed until 2013
• Full, high-quality restoration by Cremonini, Toni Auto, RBBC and Maieli
• All matching numbers and completely restored mechanically
• Extremely rare European GTS
• No reserve
The Dino 246 GT was truly a milestone in Ferrari’s history, as it was the company’s first mid-rear engined model. Moreover, it bore the name ‘Dino’, the first name of Enzo Ferrari’s son, who died prematurely in 1956 when he was working on a V6. As a tribute to him, this type of engine was therefore named after him.
A distinguishing feature of the Dino’s V6 was that it was built by Fiat. In order to homologate the engine for Formula 2, it was necessary to build more than 500 units a year, a figure which exceeded the capacity of Ferrari’s factory. This led to the idea to fit a less powerful version of the same engine to a Fiat sports car, the future Fiat Dino.
In Ferrari's version of the Dino, the quad-cam 65-degree V6 began its life in 2-litre guise in the Dino 206 GT, unveiled in 1968. In addition to its innovative engine, the berlinetta’s shape was a true masterpiece of balance and flowing lines. At the 1969 Turin Motor Show, a 2.4-litre version, the 246 GT, made its appearance, bringing the model to maturity, with greater torque and ease of driving, and a slightly longer wheelbase. Finally, at the Geneva Motor Show in 1972, the 246 GTS was introduced, fitted with a removable targa-style roof, the ultimate version of the ‘little Ferrari’.
The Dino 246 GTS from the W Collection is one of the very first cars built, as it was the ninth of the 1282 Dino 246 GTS models produced between 1972 and 1974. Its original colour was ‘Rosso Dino’ (20-R-350), with a black leatherette interior (code 16). It was sold new in France through the importer Charles Pozzi to a Mr Chazal, in whose name it was registered on 20 February 1973.
Dating from 6 April 1981, the second registration known, 2476 EB 94, corresponds to the Val-de-Marne department. On 8 July 1988, its registration changed again, to 146 WC 31, in the name of J. Meneghetti, in the Haute-Garonne. In July 2013, the car was taken off the road and laid up before being sold, on 23 June 2014, through Modena Sport, the official Ferrari and Maserati dealer in the suburbs of Toulouse, to Silvano Toni, from Maranello, the city where Ferrari is based.
Toni then set about a complete restoration of the car by his own business, Toni Auto. Once the engine had been removed, he sent the bodyshell to RBBC in Modena, who had its defects put right by a former panel beater from Scaglietti, who had worked in period on the Dino. Following this, the body was sent to the Carrozzeria Cremonini, also in Modena, where it was primed and painted before being meticulously polished by hand. Toni decided to replace the somewhat flashy red with a more subdued ‘Grigio Fumo’ (smoke grey), which marvellously followed the 246 GTS elegantly curved lines. It was then trimmed with new Connolly Vaumol beige leather upholstery (VM 3218) and black wool carpets. All the firms involved in its restoration are unanimously recognised for their skills in their specialist fields.
Once the restoration was finished, the car made its first public outing for the meeting organised from 9–10 September 2017 at the Fiorano circuit at Maranello to mark Ferrari’s 70th anniversary. In the meantime, it had been bought by Staffan Wittmark, who had been won over by its combination of colours, and who took delivery of the car on 27 September 2017. Sitting proudly on its handsome Cromodora wheels, this Dino 246 GTS has been certified by Ferrari Classiche. As with the other cars in the W Collection, a large-format book illustrated with high-quality photographs was specially produced to present the history and remarkable restoration of this example, whose presentation meets its owner’s particularly demanding requirements.
