Visitors to the 1965 Paris Salon were undoubtedly dazzled by a sports car on Pininfarina’s show stand that combined curvy, racing-inspired lines, a competition-ready chassis, and a mock-up of the Ferrari-designed V-6 engine. In naming this styling exercise, Enzo Ferrari chose to honor his son Alfredo, known as “Dino,” by designating it the Dino 206 S Speciale. Dino the man was a noted engineer in his own right, though his life was tragically cut short in the 1950s.

A year after the Paris show car, a prototype with a functional dual overhead-cam 2.0-liter V-6 mounted transversely ahead of the rear axle was unveiled in Turin on Ferrari’s home turf. Like its predecessor, the Dino GT berlinetta bore no Ferrari nomenclature, but its shape was more refined and the chassis more developed towards production, leading up to the launch of the original Dino 206 GT model in 1968. A more powerful 2.4-liter V-6 version was introduced in 1969 and was predictably called the Dino 246. Featuring a lively 195-horsepower engine combined with its rear-mid-engine configuration, the 246 has long been celebrated for light steering and terrific balance.

In 1972, a spider version of the Dino with removable roof panel was introduced for the American market and called the GTS. Easily recognizable with three small louvers in the place of rear quarter windows, the GTS enjoyed instant popularity stateside, with customers seeking the thrill of open-air motoring.

This Ferrari Dino 246 GTS was completed on 17 May 1974, a highly desirable late-production example with only 50 Dino chassis numbers appearing after it. Chassis 08318 left the factory finished in Nero (20-B-50) over Pelle Beige (VM 3218). A US-delivery example, it was completed in left-hand-drive and was further equipped with Daytona seats, larger fender flares to accommodate the Campagnolo wheels and larger tires, confirming its status as one of the very rare and desirable “chairs and flares” examples. Further, the car was optioned with air conditioning and power windows. It was delivered new to Chinetti-Garthwaite Imports of Paoli, Pennsylvania and later sold to its first owner, First National Bank of Atlanta.

By the late 1970s the Ferrari was owned by Richard Katz of Miami, Florida. In the mid-1980s the car was seen at Shelton Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, still wearing its original black paint. By the early 1990s the car had been repainted yellow and was sold via Continental Ferrari in Illinois to John Gunderson of California. In 1992 the car was offered for sale by Gunderson in the Ferrari Market Letter and noted as displaying 27,200 miles. Gunderson eventually agreed to sell the car to the consignor in January of 1993 via a dealer in Southern California. A price was negotiated, Bill of Sale was duly executed, and funds were transferred by the consignor to the dealer, who upon receipt of funds shipped the car to the new owner. Unfortunately, at this time a representative for the dealer stole the funds and fled the country. After some brief legal activity, a resolution was reached, and the consignor was awarded the car with a clean title. Copies of the settlement and legal resolution are available on file.

Current ownership has cherished this Ferrari for 31 years, with service receipts on file from Ferrari specialist Terry Myr dating from 1993 to 1999, as well as service records dating back to 1997 from authorized Ferrari dealer Cauley Ferrari, and their predecessor Ferrari of Michigan. Well-kept mechanically, overall, the car presents with very nice cosmetics, combining patina with a handful of previous-owner adjustments including the yellow repaint, custom leather on the seat headrests, painted targa top, and chrome parts in the engine bay. The Dino is accompanied by owner’s manuals with leather pouch, a selection of tools with jack, Massini Report, and Dino Compendium report.

It is believed that fewer than 200 Dino examples were built with both “chairs and flares” options, out of a production run of nearly 4,000 units. Only 20 cars from that group were originally painted in the highly desirable Nero 20-B-50, elevating this car to the pinnacle of Dino production and making this sale a rare opportunity. Furthering this example is the fact that it comes from the very end of the Dino production run, retains its matching-numbers engine, gearbox, and bodywork, and has fewer than 30,000 miles from new. Well-documented with service records, this Dino has been kept mechanically sound and is ready to be driven, offering the next owner the opportunity to enjoy as-is or restore this unique car to its factory-original combination and take on the show field.