Fantasy Junction

Description

1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS
s/n 06134
Red with Tan Interior

Named for Enzo Ferrari’s son, Alfredino, who had 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 previously offered. Its mid-placed engine was a Ferrari first for a street car, while the quad cam V6 was a soulful engine that capitalized on Ferrari’s racing experience gained from building racing V6’s. Styling was of course by Pininfarina, and the Dino has long been a favorite among Ferrari enthusiasts thanks to its beautiful lines and proportions, lovely engine, and balanced chassis.

This particular car was sold new via Chinetti-Garthwaite Imports (which would become Algar less than a year later) in Paoli, Pennsylvania on the 22nd of October 1973. The car’s first service was carried out on the 8th of March 1974 when the car had 1622 miles, at Algar. The car was serviced at Algar once again in May of 1974, August of 1974, and July of 1975. By 1976, the car been moved to Georgia, and was serviced at FAF Motorcars in April of 1976. The car had covered 30,500 miles in 1983, and there are records to substantiate the gradual accumulation of mileage to the car’s current reading of approximately 38,600. The car was with the same owner in Georgia from 1988 to 2002 when the car’s current owner purchased it.

Under the care of its current owner, the car has received over $65,000 in mechanical and cosmetic work to bring it to its current excellent condition. Included in this were full engine and gearbox (including differential) rebuilds by Carobu Engineering at a cost of $36,459.11. The engine was carefully built and dyno tested at 199hp with the Tubi exhaust system that the car still has. It is worth noting that US Dinos were originally rated at 175hp and European ones were rated at 195hp, both figures that are considered to have been optimistic. The build was photo documented and included and the job was extremely comprehensive, including bearings, rebuilt carburetors, water pump, all gaskets, hoses, valve guides, aluminum radiator, stainless steel coolant hoses, Crane electronic ignition, new clutch, and new synchros. The smog equipment was also removed, and the air injector ports removed to ensure turbulence-free flow in the exhaust manifolds. The CV joints were also done, the motor mounts replaced, and the rear uprights rebuilt. The air conditioning was removed as well (but is included with the car), which reduces the weight of the car by approximately 75 pounds. The aluminum radiator saves a further 35 pounds, while the Tubi exhaust saves 20 pounds and the purportedly the removal of the smog equipment reduces weight by 70 pounds. All told, the owner reports that the car’s weight was reduced by some 200 pounds (!).

The additionally work included rebuilds of the front and rear suspension, as well as the front and rear brakes. Included in this was the calipers, rotors, pads, and new stainless steel brake lines. The suspension work included new springs, new Koni shock absorbers, new bushings, ball joints, sway bar bushings and links, tie rods, steering rack. The suspension components were all refinished as well. The seats and door panels were also redone at this time, as were the carpets. Miscellaneous other work was also performed including replacing bumper rubber, refinishing the wheels, fitting new Michelin XWX tires, restoring the fuel tanks, and fitting new side mirrors (Talbots).

The car was repainted to very high standards in 1983, and the color changed from gold to red. The paint is holding up beautifully today, particularly considering its age. It has excellent luster, and the fit and finish are also extremely good. The panel fit is very good throughout, and there are only a few small blemishes: a few small chips on the front of the car from road use, a handful of stress cracks, and a small amount of superficial bubbling in the bottom of right door, the right rocker, and the splash area behind the right rear wheel. The chrome is very good to excellent throughout, with a small area of deterioration to the finish on the side marker surrounds and rear reflector. The wheels and tires are excellent and the car sits on desirable Campagnolo alloys with Michelin XWX tires. The lights and lenses are in good shape, and the car has headlamp covers, which tidy the lines of the car and fit well. There is one star in the windscreen on the passenger’s side.

The interior is excellent, with absolutely stunning upholstery work on the seats and door panels. The carpets are also exceptionally nice. The remainder of the interior appears to be original and extremely well preserved. The original mouse fur dash is intact and in physically excellent shape, though it is faded. The center console and side sill upholstery also appears to be beautifully preserved original material, with a few small areas of damage. The instruments and controls also appear to be original and well-preserved. The radio is a modern Becker unit supplied at great expense. The interior of the top is in excellent shape, and the exterior is in very good shape.

The engine compartment is extremely clean following the rebuild, and is largely original in appearance other than a stainless steel water overflow tank. The original is included wit hteh car. and the front compartment is largely original and excellent. The correct windscreen washer bag is present though the cap is missing. The car has a standard Campagnolo spare, which has been refinished. The trunk is correctly finished in black carpeting and is likely original and in excellent shape.

The car runs and drives superbly. The engine sounds great through the Tubi exhaust, and makes excellent power. It is well tuned and responsive. The gearbox has excellent synchros, and the suspension and chassis are exceptionally good, with a perfect blend of compliance and firmness, and no untoward noises or sloppiness. The brakes have excellent grab and are very capable.

This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a lovely Dino with many great characteristics. Thoughtfully upgraded but stock in appearance, the car runs and drives superbly, and is quite complete with full book set, photographic documentation of the recent restorative work including suspension, brake, engine, and gearbox work. The car also has its original tool roll with some tools, and some removed original equipment including AC. There is a thick sheaf of records including miscellaneous invoices as far back as 1983, as well as receipts from the recent work, including the ones from Carobu, and many from highly regarded suppliers like Eurospares and Rutlands. The car has a CD containing photos from the engine rebuild and videos of the dyrno runs, as well as CD workshop manual. The car also comes with its original and very complete book set including original Dino sales brochure, original owner’s manual, parts book, warranty card/service book, dealer directory, leather pouch.

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