I remember recently watching one of the original Top Gear cheap car challenges from the early 2000s where Clarkson, Hammond and May were tasked with finding a supercar for £10,000 and driving it from Bristol to Slough. Clarkson rocked up in a Maserati Merak, while James May chose a Lamborghini Urraco….parked on the back of an AA truck. Richard Hammond managed to buy a Ferrari Dino and was mercilessly mocked by Clarkson who claimed it ‘wasn’t a real Ferrari’. Of course, none of them were able to make it the full distance and suffered a series of breakdowns, oil leaks and engine disintegrations.

Looking back on that episode now, it seems unthinkable that you could buy a classic supercar so cheaply, even for parts. Research conducted by Hagerty UK shows that Dinos were steady in value until 2021 when they shot up to just under what you could buy a Daytona for. As a benchmark of how the value has changed, Car & Classic is set to auction a RHD 1971 Ferrari Dino 246 GT and is expected to fetch between £330k and £360k.

Clarkson did have a point I suppose, as this was the first collaboration between Fiat and Ferrari and was never officially badged as a Ferrari - being named ‘Dino’ after Enzo Ferrari’s firstborn son Alfredo who tragically died at the age of 24. It was however a significant car in the history of the Prancing Horse, designed by Pininfarina and being the first mid-engined, road-going Ferrari to be produced, setting the tone for how future cars would be made. Many also consider it to be one of the most beautiful cars ever made.

This particular 1971 Dino 246 GT has undergone a 12 year restoration, bringing it back to its former glory having arrived at a UK restoration shop in a bad way. The car was stripped to bare metal, before having numerous panels repaired and replaced and then undergoing extensive cosmetic work. While it hasn’t been able to be restored with all original parts, high quality reproductions have been sought in their place, with Superperformance wheels, a new steering wheel and fade resistant upholstery all added into the car - as well as a new Ferrari badge at the rear. It has also been verified and listed in the Dino Compendium, a detailed book on the history of the famous model.

This Dino’s 2,418 cc DOHC V6 engine - the first in a long line of Ferrari V6s - has been fully rebuilt, and back in the day could boast 0-50mph in 5.5 seconds with a top speed of 148mph.

This example also comes with 52 years of documentation, including the original purchase invoice and ownership history from all of its five former owners and a photo collection detailing its 12 year restoration. With only 1,100 miles on the clock since restoration and being tax and MOT-exempt, it is a unique opportunity for one lucky bidder.

“Despite never officially being badged as a Ferrari, this Dino is surely one of the greatest cars to have been produced by the Maranello marque”, remarked Car & Classic head of editorial Dale Vinten. ‘With the release of the ‘Ferrari’ biopic looming later this month, this 246 GT represents a compelling opportunity to own a piece of the company’s extensive and celebrated history.’

Car & Classic’s auction of its 1971 Ferrari Dino 246 GT runs from 13 – 20 December.

Words: Mike Booth
Pictures: Car & Classic