The Ferrari Dino 246 GT occupies a truly unique chapter in Maranello's storied history. Born out of Enzo Ferrari's profound grief over the untimely passing of his eldest son, Alfredo "Dino" Ferrari, this "non-Ferrari" Ferrari boldly carved out an entirely new path for mid-engined V6 sports cars.
The Dino story traces back to Enzo Ferrari's eldest son, Alfredo, affectionately nicknamed "Dino". Having studied mechanical engineering at university, Dino joined his father's company as an engine engineer. He strongly advocated the development of mid-engined V6 sports cars, though Enzo was initially sceptical, believing a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout would prove too difficult to handle. In 1956, Dino's life was tragically cut short by illness at the tender age of 24.
Overcome with grief, Enzo resolved to honour his son by christening Ferrari's unfinished V6 engine project "Dino", which ultimately evolved into a standalone marque. In 1967, the Dino 206 GT debuted as the brand's first production model; in 1969, the larger-displacement Dino 246 GT was unveiled at the Turin Motor Show to succeed the 206 GT.
This remains one of the most talked-about details of the Dino 246 GT. Enzo Ferrari adamantly maintained that only models housing a V12 engine were worthy of Ferrari's revered "Prancing Horse" emblem. As an "entry-level" mid-engined V6 sports car, Enzo feared that wearing the Prancing Horse badge might dilute Ferrari's elite high-performance brand prestige. Consequently, the Dino 246 GT was marketed as a standalone brand, bearing only "Dino" script without the iconic Prancing Horse badge. While this "demotion" sparked controversy among purists back in the day, it has now become an integral part of the Dino's unique collector allure.
Powering the Dino 246 GT is a 2,419 cc 65° V6 engine featuring a cast-iron block and alloy cylinder heads, equipped with dual overhead camshafts (DOHC) and triple Weber 40 DCN carburettors. It produces a maximum output of 195 hp (at 7,600 rpm) and a peak torque of 225 Nm (at 5,500 rpm).
The powertrain is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox in a rear transaxle layout. Underneath, a tubular steel chassis is paired with all-round independent double wishbone suspension, complete with coil springs, telescopic dampers, and anti-roll bars. Tipping the scales at a dry weight of just 1,080 kg, it reaches a top speed of 235 km/h and completes the 0–1,000-metre sprint in approximately 26.8 seconds.
Unlike the all-aluminium bodywork of the 206 GT, the 246 GT switched to steel body panels to lower production costs and ramp up build volumes, while retaining virtually the identical stunning silhouette. Penned by Aldo Brovarone at Pininfarina, its flowing lines, well-balanced proportions, and visual agility have earned it a reputation as one of the most graceful designs in Ferrari history.
Spanning a production run from 1969 to 1974, the Dino 246 GT Coupe saw around 2,295 to 2,487 units built, while the 246 GTS (Targa open-top variant) introduced in 1972 accounted for roughly 1,274 units. Total production for the Dino 246 series reached approximately 3,569 units, making it the first truly mass-produced model in Ferrari's history.
The model range is divided into three distinct production series: Series I (approx. 357 units) carried over the centre-lock knock-off wheel hubs from the 206; Series II (approx. 507 units) adopted five-stud Cromodora alloy wheels; while Series III was the highest-volume final iteration, featuring minor revisions to the drivetrain and fuel systems, serving as the primary export variant for the US market.
The Dino 246 GT stands as the most accessible pre-1975 Ferrari on the classic car market today, though "accessible" remains strictly relative. According to Hagerty's July 2026 valuation benchmarks, a 1969 Dino 246 GT in "Good" condition commands a typical price of around RM438,000, having eased by 7.7% over the past year and 11.6% cumulatively over three years. A 1972 model in "Good" condition is valued at around RM390,000, charting a similar softening trend.
Auction hammer prices continue to show a vast spread. In August 2026, a rare 1972 E-Series finished in Blu Chiaro Metallizzato light blue metallic over red leather (one of only 52 units worldwide in this colour scheme) crossed the block at RM400,000 (approx. RM72,400,000), clearing its high estimate. In the same month, a 1970 L-Series (the earliest and rarest 246 series, with around 358 units built) hammered down at RM679,350, boasting Ferrari Classiche certification and a Cavallino Classic class victory. Meanwhile, another 1972 example with 84,549 miles on the clock fetched RM555,000 at Gooding & Christie's.
The key variables dictating market valuations are originality, mileage, series rarity, and provenance. An unmolested, unrestored example retaining its original factory paintwork and the authentic patina of time on the cabin trim commands a substantial premium over a fully restored car. Series I and L-Series variants command significant premiums owing to their scarcity, whereas the GTS Targa typically trades 10% to 15% lower than the fixed-roof Coupe.
The Dino 246 GT is the true progenitor of Ferrari's mid-engined road car lineage. From the 308, 288 GTO, and F40, through to the 328, Testarossa, F355, F50, Enzo, and F430, virtually every subsequent mid-engined flagship Ferrari traces its engineering DNA back to the Dino 246 GT. It was also the first model in Ferrari's history to truly achieve large-scale series production, delivering vital operational expertise as Ferrari transitioned from an artisan workshop into a scaled automotive manufacturer. Poised between Enzo Ferrari's personal grief and forward-looking engineering, the Dino 246 GT stands as a singular intersection—both an enduring tribute to a departed son and the launchpad for Ferrari's modern manufacturing and mid-engine era.
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