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, chassis 03920, was completed on 14 June 1972 and left the factory finished in Rosso Bordeaux (20-R-351) over Beige (VM 846) leather. A United States-delivery example, it was completed in left-hand drive and was further equipped with power windows, air conditioning, and an Autovox radio.

Imported via William F. Harrah’s Modern Classic Motors (MCM) of Reno, Nevada, the Ferrari was sold to its first owner Edward McElroy, a resident of Whittier, California. In 1986, a second individual acquired the vehicle and would remain the owner for nearly two decades. After the turn of the millennium, the 246 GTS entered two new homes before the current owner purchased the car in 2019.

A cosmetic restoration of the vehicle performed by Rex Nguyen Restorations of Chatsworth, California, began in early 2023 and concluded in 2026. With a complete attention to detail, the 246 GTS was stripped of its body panels and interior to be resprayed, refinished, and reassembled. A collection of invoices and photographs document the nearly $100,000 project, and now completed and wearing its factory-correct Rosso Bordeaux over Beige, the Ferrari shows in spectacular condition.

Accompanied by its original warranty card, owner’s manual, tool kit and restoration invoices, chassis number 03920 represents a beautifully restored example of Ferrari's important mid-engine open-top sports car.