Chassis No. 01776
Engine No. 0007429
Transmission No. 851 M

While Ferrari's groundbreaking mid-engine six-cylinder street sports car, the Dino 246 GT, was built as a production car by Ferrari's standards, the total number built was minuscule by virtually any other standard—only about 3,500 total cars in five production years were built by Scaglietti to this striking Pininfarina design, in both closed-top GT and targa-topped GTS form. In fact, of those cars, the vast majority (about 2,700) were built from late 1971 to 1974 as the Dino brand became available Stateside and was eagerly devoured by U.S. buyers. As such, this particular example is quite rare...

According to the report on file from Ferrari historian Marcel Massini, chassis 01776 was completed on 23 March 1971 and therefore forms part of the second series of Dino 246 GT coupes, the “M Series” as it's known. The M Series benefited from the 246's general increase in power over its predecessor and other technical refinements, but further included the fitment of five-bolt wheels and such differences as an internal rear trunk release, seat-mounted headrests, and all-steel body panels, with the exception of the aluminum hood. Delivered new in Blu Dino Metallizzato over Beige as a left-hand drive European-specification car, it was first sent to the official Ferrari dealer in Rome before its sale to its first owner in the same city: one Alberto Sarno. By 1977, the car was exported to the United States and around that time refinished in the color combination in which it is presented today—red over black.

Following its arrival in the United States, the car would be acquired by a New York State resident in 1987 and would remain in his ownership for a remarkable 38 years! Indeed, the history file includes a number of New York registrations and other identifying information that support this long-term ownership, as well as history reports from Ferrari historian Marcel Massini and noted Dino authority Matthias Bartz. Since its acquisition by the consignor, the Dino has been treated just this year to a distributor rebuild, a new electric fuel pump, replaced water pump, and various other ancillary improvements from the battery and air filter to the fluids and new Michelin XWX tires. In fact, the car has logged about 200 kilometers of drive time since then, for further sorting. Photography on file supports the car's matching-numbers status as it relates to its original engine and gearbox.

The introduction of the Dino marque in the late 1960s certainly marked a bold new direction for Ferrari. Celebrated for its razor-sharp mid-engine balance and lively character, the Dino earned its stripes through an intoxicating combination of form, sound, and chassis poise. This particular example is no exception, beautifully presented in classic red over black with its original engine and gearbox, and after close to four decades of ownership by a dedicated enthusiast.