Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning 1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GT.

The documentation on file confirms this UK delivered, factory right hand drive example was ordered by Maranello Concessionaires Ltd in Egham By Pass (Surrey) on the 21st March 1972. This E Series Dino was completed and despatched from the Ferrari factory in Maranello on the 26th April 1972.

The car left the factory in the unique and stunning colour of Giallo Dino (paint code 20-Y-348 Salchi) with a Nero Plastica (black vinyl trim code 161) interior. The car was ordered with the optional electric windows.

Many people think Ferraris should be red, however, Dinos were delivered new in just about every colour of the rainbow! In fact, according Matthias Bartz Dino Compendium, Dinos were delivered in 52 colours! Interestingly, only 21% of the total production of the Dino 206 GT / 246 GT and 246 GTS were finished in Rosso Corsa.

Dinos carry colour exceptionally well and many were finished in different hues and its always refreshing to see one finished in one of the less obvious colour choices. Only 35 Dinos (246 GT & and 246 GTS) were delivered new in the unique and stunning colour of Giallo Dino and we have two of them, including this car, in this country. This colour looks absolutely beautiful in the photos, however, we think it is even more impressive in the flesh. It is elegant and sophisticated.

Maranello Concessionaires delivered the car to dealer Sidney Marcus Ltd on Dorset Square in London on 16th May 1972. Further documentation on file suggests the first owner of the car was Mr B Cassini Esq from Chertsey, Surrey. The car was first registered in the UK on the 16th August 1972.

The UK Vehicle Registration Documentation on file dated 11th May 1983, states the car had 4 former keepers since February 1976. That same document notes James Fitzgerald from Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire as the current owner and Pat Crawfords from Saltash, Cornwall as the previous owner. Crawfords acquired the car on 30th November 1981. He only owned the car for a short period before selling it to Fitzgerald on the 21st February 1983. At that time the car was registered as VXA 324L.

Fitzgerald sold the car to John Rossi from Greystanes, Sydney Australia on the 7th November 1984. It was subsequently imported into Australia on the 23rd December 1984, arriving on board the ship the Tolaga Bay.

The car was sparingly used during Rossis ownership and it was sold to Oldtimer Australia in July 2004. At that time the car was finished in Rosso Corsa and the odometer read 76,223 miles.

The car required recommissioning and it was then sold to the current owner in July 2005. At that time the odometer read 76,423 miles.

After having enjoyed his Dino for a number of years, the decision was made in 2012 to restore the car back to how it left the factory all those years ago. This included returning the car to its original colour of Giallo Dino.

The cosmetic restoration was entrusted to the very talented Steve Cahun from Concourse Restorations in Geelong, Victoria. The mechanicals were the responsibility of classic Ferrari specialist Marc Jones from Enzotech, based at Caboolture on Queenslands Sunshine Coast and the trim work given to Peter Blakemore from Blakemores Automotive Upholstery in Ninderry, also on Queenslands Sunshine Coast. The restoration was project managed by Oldtimer Australia.

Jones stripped the car and removed the engine as well as all other mechanicals and the body/rolling chassis was subsequently sent to Victoria. The body was removed from the chassis and stripped to bare metal for the necessary repairs. The chassis was placed on a jig and measured to ensure it remained correct to original specification. Once the metal work was completed the car was repainted. All the chrome and external trim was also refurbished and the car subsequently reassembled.

All the mechanicals, including the engine, gearbox, suspension, brakes and more were stripped, assessed and rebuilt.

This restoration was a major project and everything was either refurbished or replaced to ensure the car was restored to a very high standard.

The project was finally completed in 2020.

Since then, the car has been used occasionally and at time of photographing the odometer read 77,111 miles. One of the last invoices related to the restoration from 2019 notes an odometer reading of 76,805 miles.

This wonderful Dino made its first public appearance at the Geelong Revival Motoring Festival in 2023, taking home the Shannons Rolling Art award. Its second public appearance was at the 2024 Noosa Concours dElegance.

Given the cars limited use since it was restored, it is not surprising that it still presents like a fresh restoration.

This is obviously a car well known to us at Oldtimer Australia, however, we were like kids in a lolly shop when the truck arrived to our showroom to drop it off.

The paint is in excellent condition in both finish and presentation. On close inspection, the quality of the restoration is immediately evident. The paint has been applied to a very high standard, with a deep, even gloss and excellent clarity throughout. Out in the sun the pale yellow seems to glow across the cars sculpted curves, perfectly accentuating the flowing Pininfarina design.

All the bright work, badges and other external trim is also in excellent condition, complimenting the paintwork perfectly. The lights and all the lenses are all clean and in excellent condition.

All the glass on the car is most likely original and in good condition. There is a very small area in the left lower corner of the front windscreen that is showing signs of delamination. It is almost hidden by the rubber, but it is there.

Lift the rear lid and the engine bay presents every bit as impressively as the exterior. The compact mid mounted V6 engine sits proudly on display, its intricate mechanical details clean, crisp, and beautifully arranged. The restoration has been carried out to a very high standard, with all components either correctly refurbished or replaced as required. The cam covers and ancillaries are finished to an excellent standard, their surfaces sharp and well defined, while correct finishes and coatings have been faithfully maintained throughout.

Under the front lid the correct spare wheel is stowed, sitting snugly within its recess. The surrounding heavy duty plastic mouldings are often a weak point on a Dino and often let the presentation of a freshly restored car down. On this car everything is beautifully presented.

The Cromodora wheels are in excellent condition with no signs of any damage or kerb rash. They are shod with period correct Michelin XWX tyres, size 205/70VR14 on all four corners. The tyres are date stamped 5217 (week 52, 2017) and are still in very good condition. The Dino branded centre caps are also in excellent condition.

We have had the car on the hoist and it presents as well underneath as it does on top.

Inside the cabin is just spectacular. Blakemores work is world class and the interior of this Dino is just sublime. The seats are in excellent condition, they are comfortable, and provide ample support. The seating position in a Dino always takes a little bit of getting used to, but once you are it is quite comfortable. The door cards, centre console and the carpets are all similarly well presented. The dashboard is also in excellent condition and all the instruments are crisp and clean. Everything is as you would expect it to be in a freshly restored car.

Theres no doubt that the Ferrari Dino 246 GT is one of the most beautiful cars ever built, but they are also exhilarating to drive. From the moment you are seated behind the wheel, that view forward is framed by the front guards that rise into your eyeline. Starting a Dino is no different from any other carburetted car from the 1960s and 1970s. You turn the ignition on and allow the fuel pumps some time to provide the carburettors with sufficient fuel. You then pump the accelerator a few times before turning the key further to start the car. This Dino fires up easily and the 2,418cc V6 engine quickly settles into a smooth idle. Theres a subtle rasp in the exhaust note, layered with a faint Italian singing quality that hints at whats to come as revs rise.

Driving a Ferrari Dino 246 GT is best understood as a fully analogue conversation between driver, machine and the road light, mechanical, and intensely involved. It is certainly not the fastest car but that is not what a Dino is all about. The Dino doesnt overwhelm with power, rather it draws you in through balance, sound and feel, creating a driving experience that is as emotional as it is engaging.

Like most classic Ferraris, the more you drive a Dino and allow the engine and gearbox to warm up properly, the better they are to drive. This one is no exception and after half an hour behind the wheel once everything is warmed up the car drives superbly.

When you clear the traffic and find a nice open road you really do appreciate what an absolutely fabulous car this is to drive. The engine has plenty of power on tap and it responds instantly to the slightest movement of the throttle. The gear changes are smooth and precise. It is mechanical and deliberate, requiring care and precision, but rewarding that effort with a satisfying sense of connection every time a gear engages cleanly. The steering is beautifully direct, with just enough weight and feedback to let you read the surface beneath you. The car is very tight on the road, with no rattles or squeaks.

The current owner has thoroughly enjoyed his 20+ years of ownership of this Ferrari Dino 246 GT and the journey that it has taken him on, but he feels that the time right for it to move to a new home. He is simply not using the car and life is taking him in a different direction.

Dinos come and go, but freshly restored cars are hard to find and finding one in Giallo Dino is like bumping into a unicorn.

This car is ready show, use and enjoy and it would be welcomed with open arms at any concours d'elegance or Ferrari Club event.

Highlights:

- Factory RHD É-Series Dino.
- Beautifully presented example in a unique and stunning colour combination.
- 1 of only 35 Dinos delivered in Giallo Dino.
- Restored by marque experts to a very high standard.
- Ready to show, use and enjoy.

Price $999,950



Background

Apple, Coca-Cola, McDonalds and Nike are brands recognisable the world over. So is Ferrari and interestingly the iconic Italian luxury sports car manufacturer was named The Worlds Strongest Brand in the 2019 Brand Finance Global 500 Report.

Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1939 out of Alfa Romeos race division as Auto Avio Costruzioni the company built its first car in 1940. The Second World War halted Ferraris dream, which was finally realised in 1947, when the first car bearing his name, the Ferrari 125S, was built. From that day on Ferrari race cars dominated the world over, winning race after race and many world championships in Formula One, sports car racing and endurance racing. Ferrari built exclusive sports cars for the road too, but in the early days, this was primarily to fund his motor racing!

The Cavallino Rampate or prancing horse was the symbol chosen by Ferrari and like the golden arches it is recognised by just about every man, woman and child on the planet!

The Ferrari road cars from the 1940s and early to mid-1950s were built in very small numbers and it was not until the introduction of the 250 series cars that production numbers increased. Almost 1,000 Ferrari 250 GTEs were built from 1959 1963. The 250 series also produced some of the most special Ferraris ever built, including the Ferrari 250LM, 250 SWB, 250 California Spider and of course the 250 GTO. The 250 series cars were superseded by the 275 series cars, the 330 series cars and later the 365 series cars. The nomenclature designated the cubic capacity of each cylinder. So a Ferrari 330 was powered by a 12 cylinder engine of 3967 cc capacity.

Ferraris iconic Dino was first shown to the world as a prototype at the 1965 Paris Motor Show. The car morphed into the 206 GT of which only 150 cars were built from 1967 to 1969. This car was built with an all alloy body and had a 1,987cc V6 engine. In 1969 the 246 GT was released, which whilst a similar looking car in many ways was actually quite different. The car sat 3 taller than its predecessor and the body was now built from steel. Mechanically the new car was powered by a 2,418cc V6 engine. Enzo was keen to tackle Porsche head on and to do this he needed to increase production. The Dino was a hit and incredibly 3,569 of these cars were built from 1969 to 1974, 2,295 246 GTs and 1,274 246 GTSs.

Concerned at how the world would accept his lower priced, affordable 6 cylinder sports car and concerned that a cheaper car may diminish the Ferrari brand, Enzo Ferrari decided the car would not carry the badge of the prancing horse. Rather it would simply be known as a Dino to also commemorate the life of his son who designed the 6 cylinder engine.

Today the world knows the Dino as a Ferrari, and a real one at that! These beautiful cars are adored by car people across the world and good ones are most sought after.