The Ferrari Dino 246 GT: a close look at the performance of this classic sports car, technical data, characteristics, rival comparison, history, used prices
From classic to modern
CAR
The sports car Ferrari Dino 206 GT had a short production of only one year, in which only 152 units were made.
However, although the market was impressed with the style of the car, a version with more performance was requested.
Consequently, in 1969, the two-seater Ferrari Dino 246 fixed-head coupe was presented at the Turin Motor Show.
In addition, in 1972 at the Geneva Motor Show, the Dino 246 GTS Spyder open top was added, which featured a removable Targa roof.
Once again, Pininfarina was responsible for the styling of the car.
Also, as in the case of the 206 GT, the engines were built by Fiat and the car was assembled at Ferrari’s Maranello plant.
The “246” weighed 2380 pounds, compared to the 1980 pounds of the “206”, and this was due, in part, to the fact that the body panels of the latter were made of aluminum, while those of the former were now built. steel, in order to reduce costs.
In addition, the wheelbase of the “246” was increased 2.1 more inches compared to the “206”, although the height remained the same.
Ventilated vacuum-assisted four-wheel disc brakes and independent coil spring suspension were retained from the “206.”
When production ended in 1974, a total of 2,295 units of the Ferrari Dino 246 GT sports car had been built.
Interestingly, three versions of the 246 GT were produced, and L, M, and E variants were designated:
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The 357 “L” units built through the mid-1970s used the same wheels with a knockoff caster as the 206 GT, plus the addition of small front bumpers.
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The 507 “M” units built between mid-1970 and 1971 used alloy wheels, different windshield wipers, additional head restraints, and a widened rear track.
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The 1431 “E” units built between mid-1971 and 1974 were subject to changes in gear and fuel supply, while right-hand drive versions of the car were now available.
Optional extras included flared wheel arches and seats from the 365 GTB / 4 Daytona.
A close competitor to the 246 GT sports car was, at the time, the 2.4-liter Porsche 911S Targa, which was considered a touchstone in terms of performance.
THE MOTOR
The transverse mid-engined Ferrari Dino 246 GT was powered by a 2.4-liter dual overhead cam V6 unit, with two valves per cylinder, using an iron block and alloy heads, and with a 9.0: 1 compression ratio. .
Equipped with a five-speed manual gearbox, three Weber 40 DCNF / 6 dual-choke carburettors, and electronic ignition, it developed 195 bhp at 7600 rpm and 166 ft / lbs of torque at 5500 rpm.
This produced a top speed of 151 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 7.5 seconds.
However, the version exported to the US underwent certain changes, including timing, which brought production down to 175 bhp.
A noteworthy point was that the Dino’s 2.4-liter V6 engine was subsequently used in other Italian sports cars, and in particular the Lancia Stratos.
THE COMPETITION
Close competitors to the Ferrari Dino 246 GT included: Porsche 911S Targa, 3 Series Jaguar E-Type, and Maserati Bora. Ferrari performance:
SPORTS CARS FOR SALE
In terms of the second-hand market, a Ferrari Dino 246 GT, in good condition, sold at auction in the US for $ 165,000, while one in showroom condition was sold at auction for astonishing amount of $ 630,000.
The Dino was an excellent example of one of Ferrari’s classic cars.
This marks the end of my review of the Ferrari Dino 246 GT sports car.