1973 Dino 246 GTS

Dino is a car brand established in 1965 from an agreement between Ferrari and FIAT, active until 1980. Following the premature death of his son Dino, Enzo Ferrari wanted to honor his memory by adding the name "Dino" to some racing models equipped with an engine designed by his son. The Fiat-Ferrari collaboration was established to help Ferrari recover from a challenging period. In 1967, the FIA imposed that the engines used in Formula 2 had to be production units, with at least 500 examples produced. To meet these production figures, Enzo Ferrari signed an agreement with Gianni Agnelli. This collaboration led to the construction of a common V6 engine, born from the racing experience of the 1960s, during which several single-seaters were equipped with Dino engines. This was followed by the planned presentation of road models, aiming to capture the spotlight at major international exhibitions. Dino produced the 206 GT, a mid-rear engine road car, which was followed by the 246 GT/GTS model. The abbreviation indicated the displacement and the number of cylinders. This naming convention was also used for the subsequent 208 and 308 GT4 models. The 65° Dino V6 engine not only powered the Dino GT/GTS but also three other significant cars of that era: two were the Fiat Dino models—the Bertone’s Coupé and the Pininfarina’s Spider. Lancia managed to use the Dino engine in the Stratos, in exchange for Sandro Munari's participation in the 1972 Targa Florio for Ferrari. In the Fiat Dino, the engine was positioned longitudinally, while in the Stratos, it was installed transversely, similar to the Dino 206 and 246.

The Dino (or Ferrari-Dino) 246 was built between 1969 and 1973. The name "Dino" was a tribute to Enzo Ferrari's late son, while the designation 246 indicated the 2.4-liter displacement and the six cylinders. It was produced in two versions: the coupé "GT" and the targa-style spider "GTS". Pininfarina's designer Aldo Brovarone drafted the first concept, and the final bodywork was designed by Leonardo Fioravanti. The engine was derived from the last sports power unit designed by Alfredo (Dino) Ferrari, who passed away in 1956. It was a 65° transverse V6, the first such engine installed in a vehicle by the Maranello company, which had, until then, preferred 4- or 12-cylinder engines. Considered a sort of "baby" Ferrari, its performance and road handling were, however, highly competitive, leading to public acclaim and success. The Dino 246 was introduced at the 1969 Turin Motor Show and shortly afterward displayed in Geneva, in direct competition with the Porsche 911. It differed from its predecessor, the 206, in many respects and was refined in several areas, making it more user-friendly. The engine was updated with a cast iron block, heavier but more robust and less prone to vibrations. The displacement was increased from 2000 cc to 2400 cc, with a larger bore and stroke, leading to increased power and torque. The car could reach a top speed of 235 km/h and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds. The bodywork was also modified, especially in details: for example, the fuel cap, which was previously external and chrome, was now recessed and covered by a body-colored flap. The body was made of steel, with only the doors and hoods in aluminum, while still being assembled by Scaglietti in Modena. Dimensions increased as well, with a wheelbase extended by 58 mm, an overall length increased by 90 mm, and a height increase of 76 mm. These changes improved habitability and engine compartment accessibility, and the car's handling became less nervous and more predictable. These modifications resulted in a weight increase of 203 kg, without affecting performance, thanks to the corresponding power increase. The Dino 246 was produced in three versions over the years. The first was the "L" version, built between 1969 and 1971, which retained the knock-off wheels. In 1971, the "M" version was launched, featuring new alloy wheels with five-bolt fixings and 205/70 VR 14 tires, a 30 mm wider rear track, new ATE disc brakes, and upgraded, more accessorized interiors. In 1972, the final "E" version was introduced, featuring different twin-body Weber carburetors and sharper bumpers. Based on the "E" version, the Dino 246 GTS spider was unveiled in 1972. It differed from the GT version with its removable "Targa" hardtop and a redesigned roofline featuring three air vents for cabin airflow. The Dino 246 had a total production of 3,569 units, with 2,295 coupés (GT) and 1,274 spiders (GTS). At the 1972 24 Hours of Le Mans, Luigi Chinetti entered a Dino 246 GT driven by two French pilots, Pier Laffeach and Gilles Donsieux, who finished seventeenth overall. The Dino 246 became a cultural icon; it was a car favored by fashionable figures, symbolizing status. The TV series "The Persuaders" also significantly contributed to its fame: the roguish Tony Curtis drove a red example alongside the British Aston Martin of the composed Roger Moore. In 1973, the model was retired from the catalog and was replaced in the Dino series by the Dino 208 GT4 and 308 GT4.

The 1973 Dino 246 GTS, chassis no. 05630, according to Ferrari certification, was delivered from the factory in March 1973 to the Motor S.p.A. dealership in Bologna, which ranked second in Dino 246 GTS sales in Italy, after Crepaldi Automobili. This example was in “Rosso Dino” red (20-R-350 Salchi) with black interiors (161). The color Rosso Dino, initially favored on the 206 GT, was gradually replaced in preference by Rosso Chiaro and was used on a total of 314 units across all Dino models produced. Therefore, it is believed that the number of 246 GTS painted in this color was very limited. On March 15, 1973, the car received its registration document and was assigned the license plate NA 838312. Its first owner, Antonio Cangiano from Napoli, purchased it for 6,550,000 Italian Lire. He kept the car until May 1976, when it was sold to Aldo Caretti, a well-known Ferrari enthusiast, also famous for participating in the 1959 Mille Miglia, where he won the Gran Turismo Normale category. Caretti moved to California in 1978, where he expanded his fortune, but just before leaving, he sold the Dino. Chassis no. 05630 was sold to Germany, where it remained for a decade. The car returned to Italy in May 1988, purchased by Andreino Miragoli, a renowned Interior Designers in the Crema area, and owner of Arredatutto. It received a new license plate: CR393850. In February 2007, the car was transferred to Concessionaria S. Matteo di Re Domenico e C. in Pavia, and subsequently to Domenico Re personally. Over the following years, the car underwent a thorough restoration by some of the best specialists in the field. Body restoration and assembly were carried out by Darles Bussetti, who trained in the 1960s at the legendary Sport Cars of Piero Drogo, he is one of the founding members of the "Associazione Restauratori Modenesi". The interior restoration was entrusted to Tappezzeria Luppi, founded by Romano Luppi, trusted upholsterer for Ferrari and Scaglietti, and now managed by his son Fabio. The mechanical restoration was handled by Garutti in Modena, while the electrical system was restored by specialist Gozzi. Upon the premature death of Domenico Re in 2015, the car was transferred to his daughter Cristina, and later to his son Luigi in 2018. In 2017, the fully restored car was examined and received the Ferrari Classiche Certification of Authenticity. A transposition error, trivial but not negligible (chassis no. 5360 was written instead of the correct no. 05630), required a correction of the already drafted document. In 2019, the car was displayed at Essen, at the stand of Gallery Aaldering, a Dutch dealer specializing in classic cars, which later that year sold it to another specialized dealer, Autoclass of Sarnico, Italy. Throughout this time, the car has fortunately retained its second license plate, from Cremona. In September 2021, chassis no. 05630 was purchased by footballer Salvatore Bocchetti. The Serie A and Italian national team defender had recently retired from active football to take on a coaching role in Verona. In March 2022, the car was sold through another prestigious car dealer, Autosalone Cuman in Marostica, which arranged for it to obtain the ASI Certification. In July, thanks to the mediation by Automotive Masterpieces, the car was purchased by Corrado Minussi, a well-known collector and experienced Mille Miglia driver. Also in 2022, the car was mentioned in Matthias Bartz's book Dino Compendium 206gt, 246gt, 246gts as “#05630/E 246 GTS LHD Jan 73 Italy.” In September 2023, sold by Minussi to Silvauto dealer, the car was displayed at Auto e Moto d'Epoca, at the Fiera di Bologna. From December 2023, the car is in a private collection.