It is somewhat ironic that Ferrari, who had resisted the rear-engined revolution in Formula 1 for so long with their gloriously defiant 246 Dino Grand Prix car, should be at the forefront of rear-engined road car design less than a decade later with a car of the same name. After commencing production of the Dino 206 GT road car in 1967, the larger capacity 246 GT followed in 1969, with the ensuing 2,487 chassis being divided across three consecutive series: L, M and, rather incongruously, E.

This particular example, a European specification early Series E car, was completed at the factory on 23 June 1971 in the timeless colour combination of Argento Auteuil Metallizzato with Nero interior. Despatched subsequently to Turin-based Ferrari agent Italcar S.p.a, the car was delivered to first owner Signora Pierina Borlando of Arona, on Lake Maggiore, on 6 August 1971. Although registered with the local Novara licence plate NO 224781 just three days later, it appears that Signora Borlando kept the car only very briefly, selling it to Roberto Canoli, of nearby Omegna, later that same month.

Signor Casoli kept 02200 for a little over three years before selling it, via Milan-based Ferrari dealer Achilli Motors, to Piacenza-domiciled Mario Campominosi in January 1975. Interestingly, the declared purchase price at this point was only 700,000 lire less than the original 5,500,000 lire paid by Signora Borlando some three and a half years earlier, suggesting that - despite Dino production stopping in 1974 - demand for the car remained high.

The Dino changed hands once again, to Giovanni Ferro of Givoletto, northeast of Turin, in September 1976 before being exported to new owner Loris J. Charchian of Troy, Michigan in 1978. Upon its arrival in the U.S., Charchian re-registered the car with the distinctive Michigan licence plate LJC 1 and remarkably kept the car for the next 36 years until selling it in late 2014 to the current owner, Guy Berryman, bassist of the Grammy award winning British rock band Coldplay.

During Mr. Berryman’s ownership, the car has been used enthusiastically yet maintained meticulously; its participation in the 2017 Tour Auto being a particular high point. It was subjected to a full engine rebuild which included a full balance, crack testing, new bearings throughout, new piston kit (.020"), new valve seats and guides, new valves, new timing chain, new water pump, new exhaust and rebuilt carburetors. Additionally a new clutch kit was installed and the brake system overhauled, the suspension was rebuilt including new bushings. Furthermore, the car has also recently received a pedal box rebuild, new coolant pipes, rebuilt radiator, new cooling fans, starter motor, new alternator and regulator, new brake servo and brake master cylinder and a new steering rack. All was work carried out by Glenn Moule Enterprises.

With a fascinating transatlantic history - including one owner for some 36 years – this is truly a lovely example of Ferrari’s storied Dino 246 GT.