Prior to his untimely death at age 24, Enzo Ferrari's son Alfredino had designed a dual-overhead-camshaft V-6 engine fit for both road and racing use. "Dino" believed that this engine package, in place of the large and costly 12-cylinder engine, would allow the company to compete with smaller and less expensive offerings from other manufacturers. After his death, Dino's project was shelved until the mid-1960s when it was revived for racing use. The first road-going car to utilize his idea, the Dino 206 GTS, named by a still-grieving father in honor of his lost son, was unveiled at the 1967 Turin Motor Show. Equipped with a 2.0-liter version of the engine used in the legendary 206 S sports racer, it quickly proved to be a sensation.

The later Dinos were noticeably quicker than the previous variant due to the new 2.4-liter V-6, which produced 15 more hp over the initial 2.0-liter unit. The 246 Dino could sprint to 60 mph from a standing start in approximately eight seconds and could achieve a top speed of just over 145 mph. Tipping the scales at just 2,394 lbs., it featured a near-perfect weight distribution, partly in thanks to its mid-mounted engine. As a result, it gave its driver an incredible overall driving experience. As a bonus, it looked "the business" and was a tour de force of exceptional design that became a hallmark of 1970s sports motoring.

The initial Dino 206 GTS and the later 246 GTS variant proved that Dino had been right all along. Ferrari could indeed compete with the likes of the Porsche 911 by producing a smaller, lower-cost sports car that still exuded Italian style, flair, and drama.

The Dino offered here, chassis no. 05724, is a truly exceptional example. Near-perfect in all respects, it recently underwent a five-year full restoration to original factory specification. It is presented in its original color scheme of Rosso Rubino (106-R-83) over Beige Connolly Leather (VM 3218). It is one of just 1,274 Dino 246 GTSs built and is a fine example of the highly desirable U.S.-specification version equipped with both air conditioning and power windows. It is accompanied by a full tool kit, jack, and books.

To many tifosi, the Dino is one of Ferrari's most compelling and exciting models. Without question, it holds an important place in the marque's history. Beautiful from all angles and thoroughly exciting to drive, the Dino is a staple of many collections and a car that everyone should sample at least once in their lifetime. Beautifully restored in a highly compelling color combination, the Dino 246 GTS presented here is sure to attract lots of attention wherever it goes and will proudly stand out among its peers.