Dino 206 GT (1969)

By the time of the 1967 Turin motorshow, the 206 Dino show was very nearly in production form. The Pininfarina lines, developed from two years of design evolution since the original prototype had arguably finessed the lines of the concepts shown before its arrival. The curves remained, as did the buttresses and details like the curved rear screen and air intakes in the doors, but the proportions had been balanced to form the shape now instantly recognisable as that of the Dino. From the very beginning, the prototypes had been shown in orange.

Once more chasing motorsport successes, the Dino was born to conform to the new rules for F2. A production power plant of which no fewer than 500 must be made. A deal was stuck with Fiat who would produce the units and additionally fit them to a new high end sports car of their own, the Fiat Dino.

Over an eight year period, a total of 4,067 Ferrari Dino six-cylinder cars were produced. The cars were assembled at the Ferrari factory where the painted bodies from Scaglietti were merged with the steel chassis tubes. The earliest 206s remain the most sought after Dinos. Over the course of the production run, the 206 evolved into the 246, subtly growing and receiving a larger, torquier, 2.4 litre power plant. Whilst the shape remained the same, the cars shared no body panels. The 206 is a shorter wheelbase and lower too.

The 206 differed from the later cars in a number of ways and their value comes not just from their rarity, but additionally, their significance - the 206 was the first mid-engined Ferrari to be road legal. Just 152 examples of the 206 were built originally and the number remaining is far less. True to its motorsport ethos, the 206 benefitted from both an aluminium body and steel 2.0-litre engine, replaced by a cast-iron block and steel body on the later 246s. Further details included wheels spinners and an outside oil filler.

Supplied new in 1969, this 206 GT is one of just 152 examples completed. Leaving the factory on 28th January, this example arrived for sale at Crepaldi Automobili of Milan in February and soon thereafter found residence with its first custodian, Giuliano Benedetti, also of Milan. This 206 GT left the factory in Rosso Chiaro over Nero Simipelle with cloth inserts in Rosso. Like all of the 206s, the bodywork was crafted from aluminium and the 2-litre engine also in aluminium with steel liners.

The Dino was sold by local dealership Armando Genghini a few years later in 1972 and exported to the USA. In 1973 it was purchased by Mr Steele of Oregon, with whom it would remain for the succeeding four decades. The car spent several years in storage and in the mid-2000s the Dino was stripped and a restoration commenced.

In 2008 the car was offered for sale by Steele, in a partially restored state but with much of the mechanical works already carried out. The Dino was purchased by Mr Marks of Louisiana. The Dino was imported into the UK in 2015 and in 2019, a comprehensive restoration was carried out by Joe Macari's classic department.

Refinished in Grigio over Pelle Rosso, this wonderful 206 GT is today accompanied by its Ferrari red book Classiche certification confirming its matching engine and gearbox numbers as well as delivery details. Following on from its restoration, this example was shown at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed Cartier Style et Luxe Concours, proving it will be right at home on the concours field or the road alike.

Freshly serviced by Charles Hurst Ferrari, this 206 GT is accompanied by its original exhaust system and will be receive four new tyres as part of the sale. 1 of just 152 examples, this 206 Dino is available to view at our showrooms outside London immediately.

• Supplied new to Milan in 1969
• 1 of 152 examples completed
• All aluminium body
• Single US owner for over 40 years
• Imported into the UK in 2013
• Comprehensively restored by Joe Macari in 2019 to Grigio over Pelle Rosso
• 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed Cartier Style et Luxe Concours entrant
• Ferrari 'Red Book' Classiche Certification
• Fewer than 120 miles covered since restoration
• Freshly serviced by Charles Hurst Ferrari
• Accompanied by its original exhaust