Some cars really get under your skin for whatever reason. The Ferrari Dino 246 GT is such a car. While the legacy of Enzo Ferrari is so vast and comprehensive, the Dino was such a significant car for the company and one which would set the template for all mid-engine Ferraris to come.
The name Dino is a direct reference to Alfredo “Dino” Ferrari, Enzo Ferrari’s son. Dino was involved with his father’s engineering department and created designs of a small V6 racing engine which would eventually see use in the Ferrari 246 F1 car which Mike Hawthorne used to win the 1958 Formula One World Championship. Dino tragically passed away in 1956 after succumbing to muscular dystrophy at the age of 24, something that Enzo would never fully recover from.
As a result, he continued the legacy of his late son by continuing development of Dino’s designs and create an entirely new sub-brand of Ferrari, Dino.At the time Enzo Ferrari deemed that only 12-cylinder cars would bear the Ferrari name, so the new Dino brand would utilise the V6 and V8 engines, creating a more cost-effective sports car in the range and no sport any Ferrari badges anywhere.
Ferrari used the Dino name in a selection of racing cars throughout the late fifties through to the late sixties, including Formula 2 cars, Tasman series cars driven by the likes of Chris Amon, and the 206S sports racer.
The Dino road car range began in 1967 with the introduction of the Dino 206 GT. Powered by a 2.0L mid-mounted V6 with 180hp, it remained in production till 1969 whereupon 152 cars built. Since Fiat had taken a controlling stake of Ferrari in 1969, Fiat utilised the Dino V6 and used it in their own Fiat Dino production cars, namely the coupe and spyder.
The 206’s replacement was the Dino 246 GT. The V6’s capacity increased from 2.0L to 2.4L and power went up to 195hp. Might not sound like much by today’s standards but for 1969, that was an awful lot. Mated to this was a five-speed manual transmission and it tipped the scale at 1900kg.
Pinninfarina’s Leonardo Fioravanti was responsible for the lines of the Ferrari Dino, the 206 and 246 GT here. He certainly knew a thing or two about designing a pretty looking car as the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona, 275 GTB/4 and 365 GT4 BB “Boxer” are also part of his resume. With the Dino though, he might have outdone himself.
In 1972, Ferrari added a targa top GTS variant to the range and this, along with the coupe remained in production until 1974, where upon the Dino name was given to the Bertone styled wedge-shaped Dino 308 GT4. All in all, a total of 3139 Dinos, both the 206s and 246s, were produced.
The Dino also saw fame on the big and small screen, with appearances in films like “The Cannonball Run”, “Agent Cody Banks” and the TV Series “Hart to Hart.” However, it was its starring role as Tony Curtis’ wheels in the classic ITV series “The Persuaders” where it would often be seen racing against Roger Moore’s Aston Martin DBS, as they duo of Danny Wilde and Lord Brett Sinclair would solve crimes and fight baddies around Europe and the riviera while trying to outdo each other in every episode. It was this show that got this writer dead keen on wanting to experience a Ferrari Dino 246 GT.
This Dino 246 GT has been in the care of its current owner John for 39 years. John is a Ferrari fan through and through and also owns a couple of “his and hers” 360 Spyders, one for John and the other for his wife Jo. John loves to share his Dino with others and thanks to his generosity, we have this tale.
While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I firmly believe the Dino 246 GT to be one of the most beautiful cars ever made. There is just a beautiful purity of line from front to rear and you would be hard pressed to find straight lines in the design at all. Little details like the bespoke rear glass, the dainty side intakes for that mid-mounted V6, louvres on the bonnet and boot and those twin protuberances up front housing the headlights which give it an almost innocent looking expression.
Getting into the Dino was a treat in itself. Gently pull back that exquisite chrome door release lever and you open the door to reveal one of the most driver focused and elegant cockpits probably ever produced. Securing yourself into those equally exquisite leather chairs, which feel more like armchairs than anything else, you immediately become aware of the classic Italian sports car driving position.
The pedal box is slightly offset and further forward, and the steering column angles that handsome three-spoke steering wheel slightly away from you, resulting in your arms outstretched and your legs pushed part slightly to account for the pedal arrangement. To be honest though, I couldn’t give a hoot, after 20 years of waiting, it was Dino time.
Ahead of you, you have a simple white on black eight dial instrument cluster showing your engine revs and speed, naturally, also oil pressure, oil temperature, water pressure, battery voltage, fuel and an analogue clock. Next to you sits the classic Ferrari open-gated five-speed manual transmission and a cigarette lighter with a considerably large ashtray. This should give you some idea of what was deemed essential during the late sixties and early seventies.
You also have a radio, but John never turns it on. Why would you when you have that race-derived V6 for a sound system? Talking of that, an assertive turn of the ignition key, beit with a few pumps of the throttle and said V6 wakes up, engulfing your immediate surroundings with a raspy yet sweet sounding six-cylinder burble. Looking ahead you see those two gorgeous fenders housing the headlights and you are now in the zone, ready to drive.
Being a classic Ferrari, one must skip second gear if the car until the gearbox oil is up to temperature. Fortunately, John had done this before hand and I was able to start off in second gear. You actually don’t need first gear to get moving as there is sufficient torque to sustain you as you accelerate out.
Once underway, it doesn’t take very long for the Dino 246 GT to make you giggle. In typical old-school Ferrari fashion, each gear change is accompanied by the satisfying “snick-snick” sound as you cycle through the gears. Its easy to use and while it does require some degree of assertiveness at times, the fact the gear lever is within a short reach from the wheel itself means you can drop a cog in quick time should you need to.
That said, as we made our way to our lunch stop in Akaroa, the twisties stuff resulted in me seldom leaving third gear, such was the generous delivery of torque and keeping it above 3000rpm.
John says the Dino is like a wee go-kart and he is absolutely spot on. In the tight sections of bendy bitumen, you can coax it into a corner, and with its non-power assisted steering, you have such clear communication on what the front is up to.
With all the weight within the wheelbase and having that V6 directly behind you, its just so chuck-able and you have the added confidence to get on the power sooner thanks to its superbly well-balanced chassis. It really is a point-and-shoot kind of drive. It also just as immensely satisfying when you get on the power out of each corner and really wind out that V6, which sounds absolutely glorious.
Even for today, the Dino can provide some decent poke. While its not pin-back-in-the-seat stuff, its progressive delivery of power along with that V6 howling close to 7000rpm only adds to the excitement.
It was one of those days which went by too quickly and when we stop to take photos at the boat ramp in Akaroa, we were mobbed by people, some of which knew exactly what car it was. “Wow, Dino, can’t be many of these around” was one such remark.
Around 20 years ago, a Dino 246 GT like this could be picked up for around $80,000 to $100,000. Today, you will need to set aside at least five times that to get a look in, such is the appeal and popularity of what I believe to be one of Ferrari’s greatest hits, despite the fact it was never originally intended to be a Ferrari at all!
You know the old saying that one should never meet their childhood heroes and how you would probably be disappointed? Not with a Ferrari Dino 246 GT. No way. Its just fab. A huge thank you to John for a very, very special day out.
