The Ferrari Dino GT, named in honor of Enzo Ferrari's son, Alfredo "Dino" Ferrari, will forever be enshrined in the marque’s history on account of its looks and performance, and also as the first model to be offered at a more affordable price-point. Marketed as a standalone sub-brand, it accomplished an undertaking started by the late Alfredo Ferrari, who had been tasked by his father to design a dual-overhead-camshaft V-6 engine.

Introduced as the 206 GT, it would not be until 1969 where mass-market success was achieved in the form of the more powerful, steel-bodied 246 GT. Power from the car’s mid-mounted 2.4-liter V-6 was sent through the rear wheels and paired with a five-speed manual transmission. This well-balanced layout allowed for a spirited driving experience that, when coupled with the Dino’s timeless profile and rounded rear windscreen, turned it into a sales hit. Early L-series cars were offered briefly before the introduction of the M-series in the summer of 1970, identifiable by their five-bolt Cromodora alloy wheels and parallel moving wipers. These were succeeded by the similar E-series cars, a US-specification example of which is offered here.

Chassis number 04382 was completed on 10 November 1972, and finished in classic Rosso Chiaro over Pelle Beige. Initially imported by William F. Harrah’s West Coast Ferrari importer, Modern Classic Motors of Reno, Nevada, in December of that same year, it would be swiftly transported to dealer Steve Griswold & Co. in Berkeley, California. Its first owner, Page Roos of San Mateo, California, would be its long-term custodian until at least 1989.

According to the accompanying Massini Report, the Dino would remain registered in California until 2021; at this time, it would relocate to Canada. In that same year, its present owner commissioned a mechanical restoration carried out by Ferrari Classiche-Certified technicians totaling nearly $80,000. Included in this restoration was the replacement of its shifter, wiring, radiator, blower motors, thermostat, and gaskets. Additionally, its exterior chrome trim, calipers, and underbody panels would be refinished, and a fresh set of tires were added to freshen its appearance. Most notably, this would allow the Dino to pass Ferrari’s stringent Classiche Certification process in January 2023. The Classiche Red Book, along with its corresponding Classiche badge and libretto, remain with the car today.

As presented today, chassis 04382 retains its matching-numbers engine and transmission, and it is finished in correct Rosso Chiaro over Pelle Beige, just as when it left the factory. It is now offered with its original owner’s and service manuals, warranty card, and tools. Wonderfully representative of a splendid design—which has inspired a multitude of subsequent models from the marque—this 246 Dino GT presents a superb opportunity for the astute collector, ideal for both the exhibition lawn or a spirited drive.