Fantasy Junction

Description

1973 Ferrari 246 GTS
s/n 06238
Red with Tan Interior

Named for Enzo Ferrari’s son, Alfredino, who died in 1956 at the age of 24 as the result of muscular dystrophy, the Dino was, fittingly, a ‘baby’ Ferrari that was dimensionally smaller and more nimble than any other street Ferrari. Its mid-placed engine was a Ferrari first for a street car, and the engine itself is a gem: a lovely quad cam V6 that reflected the lessons learned from producing V6s for Dino race cars like the 206 SP. The styling for the car was done by Pininfarina, and remains to many one of the most beautiful and exotic Ferraris of the period. Certainly the view from the driver’s seat over the two prominently curved fenders is one of the most evocative roadgoing driver’s seat views.

This particular car is a European market GTS that was imported to California from Brussels, Belgium in late 1978. Since then, the car has always been in California, and has been in the care of its most recent owner since 1985. The car has had significant recent maintenance and restorative work totaling approximately $27,000 since October 2012. The interior was completely redone, including seats, door panels, console, firewall, carpets, steering wheel, and dashboard. The top was also refinished. The engine was detailed as well, with refinishing to some of the metal components such as the airbox. Mechanically, the car had a valve adjustment, new spark plug wires, brake booster hoses, engine breather hoses, cooling system service. The rear bumpers were also rechromed and the wheels refinished. A rebuilt light switch unit ($1800) was also sourced and installed. Lastly, the suspension was rebuilt, with powder coated A-arms and springs, new bushings and ball joints, and rebuilt Koni shock absorbers. The car has various other invoices from previous work performed, such as new motor mounts, rebuilt water pump, and renewal of the braking system.

The engine, clutch, and driveline were rebuilt in 1980, at which point the car also had a bare metal (substantiated by photos) respray. During this period, the car was owned by Shig Iyama, who was active in the enthusiast circle at the time, also showing his Mercedes 300S and 300SL, among others. The paint remains excellent and appears as though it was done much more recently. The car was shown several times in the early 80s and achieved first in class at the Palo Alto Concours in 1982. The car has service records from the 1980s, as well as invoices since 2004.

Cosmetically, the car presents extremely well for having been painted over thirty years ago. The paint remains shiny, although close inspection reveals some blemishes: a few chips that have been touched up as well as bubbling in selected areas, including four bubbles in the bottom of the driver’s door, each no larger than a pencil eraser. There are also a few small bubbles on the trunk lid edge. The remaining sheet metal is in good shape and the panels fit and operate well. The chrome is in very good but not freshly restored condition other than the rear bumpers, which are like new. The wheels are in excellent shape and the car sits on Michelin XWX tires. The glass and lights are in very good to excellent shape throughout.

The interior has a very fresh appearance, having been recently restored. The door panels, console, dashboard, and carpets display excellent workmanship. The seats are very nicely done, thought not quite to show standards. The gauges and switches are in good shape and the car retains its storage bag for the top behind the seats. As a European car, this example has manual windows, which work more reliably than the famously nonchalant electric windows fitted to US cars. The steering wheel is in excellent shape and is a period Momo “Jackie Ickx” aftermarket item (although the original steering wheels were also made by Momo).

The engine compartment is clean and nicely detailed. It is not quite to show standards but is about as nice as one would want in a car that is driven regularly. The correct semi-gloss finish has been reproduced on the coolant overflow tank and airbox. The trunk carpet was renewed when the interior was done and is excellent. The plastic inner tail light panel is excellent. The front compartment is very nice as well, with excellent plastic liner and a generally fresh appearance. The fuse block labels are in place and excellent, and the windscreen washer bag fluid is also present. The spare wears a matching XWX tire and the hold down is in place as well.

The car runs and drives very well. The engine is well-tuned, starts easily, makes good power, and sounds fantastic. The chassis and suspension are tight and the brakes are effective and responsive. The transmission shifts properly and the clutch works well.

This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a longtime California Dino GTS in the prettier European trim. Coming from long term ownership, the car has seen much recent work and is complete with invoices, original manual, jack with bag, tool roll with tools, and two sets of keys.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608