Vehicle Description
Chassis No. 01776
Engine No. 0007429
Transmission No. 851 M
While Ferrari's groundbreaking mid-engine six-cylinder street
sports car, the Dino 246 GT, was built as a production car by
Ferrari's standards, the total number built was minuscule by
virtually any other standard-only about 3,500 total cars in five
production years were built by Scaglietti to this striking
Pininfarina design, in both closed-top GT and targa-topped GTS
form. In fact, of those cars, the vast majority (about 2,700) were
built from late 1971 to 1974 as the Dino brand became available
Stateside and was eagerly devoured by U.S. buyers. As such, this
particular example is quite rare...
According to the report on file from Ferrari historian Marcel
Massini, chassis 01776 was completed on 23 March 1971 and therefore
forms part of the second series of Dino 246 GT coupes, the "M
Series" as it's known. The M Series benefited from the 246's
general increase in power over its predecessor and other technical
refinements, but further included the fitment of five-bolt wheels
and such differences as an internal rear trunk release,
seat-mounted headrests, and all-steel body panels, with the
exception of the aluminum hood. Delivered new in Blu Dino
Metallizzato over Beige as a left-hand drive European-specification
car, it was first sent to the official Ferrari dealer in Rome
before its sale to its first owner in the same city: one Alberto
Sarno. By 1977, the car was exported to the United States and
around that time refinished in the color combination in which it is
presented today-red over black.
Following its arrival in the United States, the car would be
acquired by a New York State resident in 1987 and would remain in
his ownership for a remarkable 38 years! Indeed, the history file
includes a number of New York registrations and other identifying
information that support this long-term ownership, as well as
history reports from Ferrari historian Marcel Massini and noted
Dino authority Matthias Bartz. Since its acquisition by the
consignor, the Dino has been treated just this year to a
distributor rebuild, a new electric fuel pump, replaced water pump,
and various other ancillary improvements from the battery and air
filter to the fluids and new Michelin XWX tires. In fact, the car
has logged about 200 kilometers of drive time since then, for
further sorting. Photography on file supports the car's
matching-numbers status as it relates to its original engine and
gearbox.
The introduction of the Dino marque in the late 1960s certainly
marked a bold new direction for Ferrari. Celebrated for its
razor-sharp mid-engine balance and lively character, the Dino
earned its stripes through an intoxicating combination of form,
sound, and chassis poise. This particular example is no exception,
beautifully presented in classic red over black with its original
engine and gearbox, and after close to four decades of ownership by
a dedicated enthusiast.
