The Ferrari Dino 246 GT

Table of Contents:

Ferrari Dino 246 GT – Key Details

The Ultimate Guide to the Ferrari Dino 246 GT

FERRARI DINO 246 GT – POWER LEADS TO SALES

Like the 206 GT before it, the Ferrari Dino 246 GT represented a truly rare departure for the Italian carmaker. And it was a successful departure at that. With a lower price and many novel features, these Dino models were taking aim at Porsches. The main sticking point with the 206 was the 2.0-litre V6 that produced just 160 bhp. It’s no wonder, then, that fans of the car were eager for more power under the bonnet. Their pleas were answered when, in 1969, Ferrari introduced the Dino 246 GT.

POWER TO MATCH ITS PANACHE

Outfitted with a larger, 2.4-litre V6 this time, the car now benefitted from 195bhp. Unfortunately for the Americans, their version received a de-tuned version making just 175 ponies. Even though it produced significantly more power, though, the Dino 246 GT didn’t feel quite as powerful as everyone expected.

That’s because it wasn’t quite the same car as the 206 in some other important ways. The main difference was in the body panels – now made of steel instead of aluminium. Add in the larger engine, and we are talking about a 180kg (400-lb) increase in weight. That’s quite a lot of mass for a vehicle weighing just 1080kg (2381 lbs). Top speed was listed at 146mph, while the 0 – 60 time was 5.5 seconds.

Luckily for everyone, the 246 sported the same Leonardo Fiorvanti-designed exterior as the 206. Even though it was now constructed out of heavier steel, its curvaceous lines were enough to cause envy on the boardwalks. Those epic proportions also made it one of the last “soft” Ferraris, with later designs such as the 308 GT4 using new angular design language.

PRODUCTION

An impressive 2,295 Dino 246 GTs were built through 1974, making it the most successful Ferrari model ever made up to that point.  The pointed 308 GT4 would take over as the Ferrari’s mid—engined Dino offering in 1973. Even though that model sported a V8, it would never come close to matching the sales figures of the Dino 246 GT.

Ferrari Dino 246 GT – Photo Gallery

Ferrari Dino 246 GT – Technical Specifications

Ferrari Dino 246 GT – Registry & Videos

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