Dino 246 GT (1973)

The much sought-after Ferrari 246 Dino GT was named after Enzo Ferrari's son Alfredino, who died in 1956, aged just 24. Enzo Ferrari credits his son with the inspiration for a series of successful small and medium capacity V6 racing engines built by Ferrari from 1956, and in turn, the name was given to a new line of mid-engined production Ferrari V6 coupés, which first went on sale in 1969. The Dino 246GT has proved to be one of the most satisfying and successful automobiles built by Ferrari and paved the way for the emerging generation of mid-engined Ferraris. It is widely regarded as one of the best-handling and most gratifying automobiles of the early 70s, it is one of the most attractive, delicately balanced designs ever produced by the masters at Pininfarina. As a result, Dinos have enjoyed a well-deserved recent surge in popularity.

Originally specified as one of just 219 examples in Nuovo Giallo Fly, this example was trimmed in black as it presents today. Whilst this car was originally UK supplied in 1973 via Maranello Concessionaires; rather unusually it was supplied in LHD, with the instruments in kilometres from the factory. This specific example is ‘Flares Only’, extremely rare and desirably optioned with the wider, sand-cast Campagnolo alloy wheels and accompanying flared arches. World-renowned Dino expert and author of the Dino Compendium estimates that fewer than 15 LHD EU specification Dinos were fitted with these arches, compared to the 60 RHD examples.

In 1975, this 246 GT was exported to California where it was purchased by a Victor Karawanny, a US Navy pilot in Venice Beach. Karawanny purchased the car at around 56,000km and registered the car in California where he was stationed on his personal registration, ‘VIX DINO’. He was serving at San Diego and would drive the car sporadically during his three-year stationing.

Discharged from the Navy in 1979, Karawanny enrolled in graduate school in Montana where it would serve as his primary mode of transport. Just two years later, Victor would re-enlist as a pilot and the car would be garaged whilst he was stationed a long way from home in Puerto Rico. The car would ultimately be placed into long term static storage where it would remain for 30 years until 2016.

At this time, the car still wore its 1979-80 Montana student parking permit on the rear bumper from Karawanny’s graduate school attendance, with its period repaint to black with bespoke red pinstriping. DK Engineering found this example at auction in 2016 and were immediately impressed by its originality. Following this, the car was brought back to the UK.

Imported by its first and current UK owner, the car has received a comprehensive 4-year, bare-metal restoration. The car was certainly in need. Whilst it was thoroughly original and dry stored it had not turned a wheel during its time in storage. The car was stripped to its bare metal shell and at this time, highly-revered coachworks, Bodylines of Northampton saw to the metalwork. Meticulous work was carried out to ensure the car would be returned to its former glory.

With the metalwork in order, the car was sent to Lone Pine Garage of Buckinghamshire to be refinished in its original Nuovo Giallo Fly hue. No strangers to the Concours world, Lone Pine have previously worked on numerous significant vehicles including a Saoutchik Bentley ahead of its reveal at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours.

The car was reassembled after the engine, gearbox and all internals were completely overhauled. Retrimmed in its original Black vinyl with V306 SilverGrey carpets, the interior presents excellently as you would expect.

A hugely desirable Dino in a rare and sought after specification, this Flares 246GT is available to view at our showrooms outside London immediately.