Ferrari Dino 246GT

Without doubt one of the prettiest road cars ever made, the Dino was named after Enzo Ferrari’s late son, a gifted engineer who had a hand in the genesis of the design concept before his untimely death in 1956. Launched in 1968 with a 160bhp 2-litre V6 engine clothed in compellingly curvaceous aluminium bodywork designed by Pininfarina, it was conceived as a direct rival to the Porsche 911 and as an entry level model to the predominantly V12-powered Ferrari range.

However, after just 152 examples had been produced, the 206GT was replaced by a more powerful model with a 195bhp 2.4-litre four-cam engine, a five-speed gearbox and an all-steel body, the legendary 246GT. Just 43.9-inches high and with a 92.1-inch wheelbase, this mid-engined marvel could sprint to 60mph in just 6.8 seconds on its way to a top speed of 148mph, beating the Porsche 911S by a narrow margin. Production numbered 2,487 GTs (only 446 in RHD) and 1,274 Spyders, the latter being built from 1972 to 1974 only, for a total production run of 3,761.

First registered in April 1973, this original right-hand drive Dino has had just four owners from new and has always been in regular light use, covering some 91,400 miles to date. Throughout most of the 1980s and 90s it appears to have had just one owner and to have always been maintained by Maranello Concessionaires in Egham, Surrey. In May 1987 at 62,000 miles it was treated to a full body restoration and bare metal repaint at Maranello at a cost of some £12,000. In March 1989 at 63,702 miles it was further treated to a full engine and gearbox rebuild, again by Maranello, at a cost of some £9,500.

There are many bills for routine maintenance since then, including new front brake discs and pads in 2002 at 84,538 miles and a fairly comprehensive engine inspection and overhaul at Bob Houghton Ferrari in November 2003 at 87,577 miles. In November 2004 the bodywork was again gently refurbished as necessary by Stallion Motor Body Repairs of Beeston at a cost of some £5,200 and the current vendor acquired the car in the following month.

In December 2005 it was thoroughly inspected, serviced and waxoiled by Modena Wycombe Ltd at 90,005 miles, and in July 2009 it was serviced again by Graypaul Birmingham at 91,243 miles. Still in very nice condition throughout with a pleasingly original interior, it is said to drive beautifully and certainly fired up instantly and ran very smoothly as we manoeuvered it to take these photos.

Values of this most iconic Ferrari have risen strongly in recent years with top examples now comfortably cracking the £100,000 barrier. Taxed, tested and ready for immediate use, this clearly cherished and well maintained example looks like a very tempting investment at the guide price suggested today.