Dino 246 GT (1972)

The much sought-after Ferrari 246 Dino GT was named after Enzo Ferrari's son Alfredino, who died in 1956, aged 24 years. 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.

This superb example was manufactured by Ferrari SpA in 1972 and delivered to the Italian dealer Italcar of Turin in September that year. The original specification of the car was a highly desirable Blu Scuro Dino with a Beige interior. The car remained in Italy having been used very infrequently until it was purchased in 1993 by legendary Italian lady racing driver Ada Pace. Ada was one of the earliest women racing drivers often competing under the witty pseudonym 'Sayonara'. After first competing in and Alfa Romeo Giulietta Veloce she later took part in many of the greatest races of the 50's and 60's including the Mille Miglia and winning her class at the 1960 Targa Florio in an OSCA Maserati. One of her earliest victories was in the 1951 Torino San Remo and event in which the organisers were so unaccustomed to a female victor, her mother was requested to accompany her on the podium lest she be taken advantage of! Ada was also known to campaign a 250 SWB in period and in 1962 drove a Ferrari 250 GT to second overall in the GT Trophy at Monza.

Ada purchased the car at the ripe age of 71 years old. Having retired from racing she asked Ferrari SpA to find her the best example of a Dino they could and this is the example they selected for their friend and driver Ms Pace. She would remain the keeper until 2013 during which time she kept the car as her pride and joy. When she sold the car at 91 years of age, due to no longer being able to drive it, it had covered just 24,350 original kilometres.

Its most recent owner (a director of the Brooklands museum and a well experienced car collector) acquired the car via a dealer from Ada in 2013 when it was subsequently imported into the United Kingdom. It has since remained in this careful ownership receiving limited use and covering under 2,400 kms during the 3 year ownership period. During this time it has received regular maintenance by marque specialists and today presents superbly having received a thorough inspection by DK Engineering.

Today this matching numbers Dino presents extremely well and oozes originality and correctness - it is extremely unusual to encounter a Dino which has lived a life dry stored in warm climates and is almost totally unmolested. The car has covered just 26,700 kms from new and is accompanied by a most unique history having been owned by a pioneer of Motorsport, the original spare wheel and superb history file including Ada's Italian Libretto document and original owners service handbook. Presented with full UK road registration this 246 GT is ready to be viewed at our showrooms based just outside of London immediately.