Sold 1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS 2146356014 Tweet

1973 246 Dino GTS
Chassis no. 06470
Pino Verde with Tan Leather Interior

Designed by the prolific and celebrated designer Leonardo Fioravanti, who penned some of the greatest Pininfarina/Ferrari designs, the original 206 Dino GT was not only visually stunning, it was a highly significant Ferrari. The first mid-engined roadgoing Ferrari, it was also the first baby Ferrari, named after Enzo Ferraris son Alfredino (or Dino for short) who tragically died of muscular dystrophy at age 24 in 1956.

Powered initially by a 2.0 liter 65-degree dual overhead camshaft V6, this was supplanted in 1972 by a 2418cc variant of the engine, creating the definitive 246 version, which, for the first time, was available with a removable roof section. The combination of open air, the fabulous quad cam V6, and the nimble handling of the mid-engined configuration created a wonderfully balanced and enjoyable driving experience that introduced an entirely new segment of the market to the magic of the Ferrari experience.

The cars were priced competitively with the Porsche 911S and sold well, particularly in the United States, and a total of 1,282 examples of the GTS variant were built. Of these, just 125 were equipped with the now iconic flares and chairs combination of flared wheel arches to accommodate wider Campagnolo alloy wheels and seats with distinctive perforated black stripe inserts which first appeared on the 365 GTB/4 Daytona.

This is one such car, a genuine flares and chairs 246 GTS, delivered new in the stunning color combination of Pino Verde with Tan Leather interior. This car was ordered new by the heiress to the Campbells Soup dynasty, specifying air conditioning, electric windows, US equipment, and Daytona seats. Shortly before taking delivery in Madrid, Spain, she passed away and therefore never took possession of the car. Languishing in the Madrid showroom, due likely to US specifications, the car eventually sold to its first owner in October 1974 through agents Tayre Ferrari, Madrid, Spain to the cars first owner, William Kemmerer, a US Air Force officer stationed in Spain. After his discharge in 1975, Kemmerer and his wife drove the Dino from Madrid to Florence, Italy where the car would be shipped at the expense of the US Air Force to Baltimore, Maryland. After escaping a nearly disastrous ship fire, the unscathed but sooty Dino finally arrived in the US, at which point Kemmerer drove the car to his home near San Antonio, Texas where it would remain in his care until October 26, 1987. He sold the car to KEHL Motors, Mr. Kemmerers preferred service establishment, who had purchased it for specialty car dealer Motorcar Gallery of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. A 1987 Texas odometer statement indicates that 51,895 miles were reported on the car when it changed hands.

In 1988, The Motorcar Gallery advertised the car for sale as a one owner car since October 1974. As a condition of the sale, on June 11, 1988 the car received interior work including new seat leather, new door panel leather, and dashboard mousehair with 52,063 miles recorded at that time. On August 14, 1988, the paint was carefully stripped in several areas and new paint carefully matched and applied to several portions of the car, blending in to original paint areas. The next recorded owner, Harvey Levy, of Ginedd, Pennsylvania and Boca Raton, Florida, purchased the car September 5, 1989 and prepared it to the high standards of the Ferrari Club of America, regularly exhibiting it in various events between 1993 and 1995, including being featured at the Cavallino Classic and FCA Nationals consistently placing in class.

In August 1998, the Dino passed to a new owner, a prominent New York enthusiast, who retained the car until 2001, when he sold it to Symbolic Motors of La Jolla, California. The cars current owner is a resident of Northern California and bought it at Ferrari of Los Gatos in 2003, at which time it had covered 55,670 miles. During his ownership, he installed a new Tubi exhaust, a new clutch, and routinely serviced the car as needed. The car has been shown at various recent events achieving a Gold award at the 2004 Cavallino Classic at Concorso Italiano, the Delbert Pantel Memorial Award at the 2004 Chico Concours dElegance, 2nd place at the 2010 Vintage Concours Concorso Italiano, and 3rd place at the 2013 Concorso Italiano. Records accompanying the car include documentation supporting the unbroken chain of ownership, statements supporting the history of the car since new and odometer statements further validating the 57,444 miles this car has covered from new.

Currently the car exhibits a very satisfying combination of preserved original and sympathetically restored components which result in a stunning and cohesive presentation. The paint is very nice overall showing high gloss throughout and excellent coverage both on the exterior surfaces, underside surfaces, and inner jambs. There is some slight variation in color when examining the passenger door in relation to the front fender, likely due to blending original finishes with the paint applied in 1988. Trim and plating are of very good quality overall, as are glass and various rubber parts throughout the exterior. The original Dino emblems remain mercifully in place and in very nice condition. The doors, trunk, and engine cover open and shut easily and display excellent fit. The top is easily removed and stowed behind the seats. The tight fit attests to the integrity of the original construction, particularly in the header fit. The trunk and front storage compartment are beautifully finished and nicely detailed, each displaying original finishes and correct components. The beautiful Campagnolo wheels and spare tire are all in excellent condition, shod with correct Michelin XWX tires.

The interior has a wonderful original look and feel with all finishes cohesively matched from the correct factory components to the refinished seats, dash mousehair, and door panels installed in 1988. Clearly stored indoors and fastidiously maintained, this GTS has excellent instrumentation with bright contrasting dials and excellent color, wonderfully preserved switches and center console details, and the original steering wheel. The original equipment air conditioning is still in place and functional, though not blowing particularly cold at this time. The carpets are very nice overall as are door and door sill trim, inner jambs, and hinges. The seats are in very good structural condition exhibiting only mild foam compression on the driver side seat bolsters. The leather finishes are smooth, and original stitching is also nicely preserved. The tan door panels are very nicely maintained contrasting with the black upper panels which are also in very nice condition.

The engine and engine compartment appear original with special care having been given to correct components, servicing, and proper attention to authentic finishes throughout. Hoses, fittings, and factory hardware, much of which appears original, are well preserved and nicely detailed, further confirming the integrity of this 57,000 mile example. Rarely does one find such a nicely preserved original car that has never needed to be restored. The undercarriage is very nice overall, remaining as one might expect an original car to be with a few scuffs and marks from mild use, yet properly sorted, maintained with care, and showing no evidence of structural compromise. Many of the visible suspension and engine components still exhibit factory finishes and casting marks further supporting the originality of this fine Dino.

The car starts and runs smoothly, having recently been serviced and properly tuned for driving. Acceleration is particularly quick for one of these cars, and the car displays smooth clutch engagement and excellent gearbox action, both cold and warm. Suspension is firm and delightfully engaging as one might expect from a mid-engine car with cornering and braking all responding in a coherent and engaging way, just as automotive journalists recounted in 1972. The exceptional behavior of this car continues at highways speeds, where car tracks very nicely, holds the road very well, and brakes with confidence.

This beautiful 246 Dino is exceptionally well-documented and complete, with the original tool kit, original factory tools, jack and wheel chock, all of which were delivered with the car when new. Supporting the service and documentation, the car is also accompanied by the original warranty card including the selling dealers stamp, correct Ferrari stamp on the inside cover, and service coupons filled out with handwriting variances in accordance with ownership changes. Also included is the original owners manual and owners leather pouch issued with the car, original safety triangle with factory blue plastic sleeve, Fiamm battery warranty card, and original Magneti Marelli instruction leaflet all of which are in excellent preserved condition. Additional items offered with the car include mail correspondences from family members of former owners, records citing multiple references of previous history, period photos of the car, receipts for work performed on the car, and a most interesting and rare decorative chain mounted Coca-Cola promotional bottle cap displaying the matching green color 246 GTS Dino on the inside of the cap.

It would be difficult to imagine a finer Dino than this car. A genuine flares and chairs car presented in its stunning original color combination, this car is superbly unmolested and extremely complete. With known history from new and few long-term owners, it is clear that this car has always been enthusiastically owned and sympathetically preserved, and will appear to the connoisseur who wants a truly top-quality Dino that stands apart even in the distinguished company of the vintage Ferrari world.