1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GT

Among the most celebrated sports cars of its era, the Ferrari Dino represents the perfect union of Pininfarina-inspired design, mid-engine balance, and engineering. Offered here is an exceptionally original and beautifully preserved 246 GT finished in Azzurro Metallizzato, an elegant light blue metallic hue applied to just 116 Dinos during the model’s entire production run.

Displaying just over 14,140 miles at the time of cataloguing, this Dino ranks among the finest unrestored, low-mileage examples extant. Remarkably, it has never required a mechanical restoration or major rebuild, a testament to its careful ownership and the consistent maintenance it has received.

According to the research of Matthias Bartz, author of the definitive Dino Compendium, this Dino 246 GT, chassis 03236, was completed on January 28, 1972. A US-specification E-Series car equipped with optional power windows and metallic paint, it was originally retailed through Ferrari’s official North American distributor, Luigi Chinetti Motors.

This Dino spent nearly four decades in the care of its original owner, Ernst “Nick” Ohnell of Greenwich, Connecticut. Supplied new with black vinyl upholstery, it is believed that Chinetti Motors fitted the present beige leather upholstery and carpeting at Mr. Ohnell’s request, and these appointments have been preserved ever since.

In 2012, Mr. Ohnell’s neighbor, Jonathan Cohen, acquired the 246 GT and retained it in his personal collection for approximately five years. During his ownership, the Dino was presented at the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance, where it received the Preservation Award in 2015 in recognition of its extraordinary originality.

In 2020, the 246 GT was acquired by a collector based in Naples, Florida, who added it to a stable that included several significant Dinos – special examples of the model selected for their exceptional provenance, colors, and condition. During his ownership, this car benefited from more than $50,000 in service work performed by authorized dealer Ferrari of Naples, as documented by invoices on file. Since it was acquired by the current owner, the Dino has benefited from additional attention and a preservation-focused detailing.

The original, unrestored nature of this Dino is evident throughout. Its Azzurro Metallizzato paint and interior remain beautifully preserved, while the delicate mouse-fur dashboard survives in outstanding condition. The consignor reports that the car performs exactly as a low-mileage Dino should, retaining the character and feel so rarely encountered in restored examples, with excellent road manners, smooth gear changes, and consistent engine compression figures.

Accompanying the car is an impressive collection of documentation and accessories, including the original leather folio containing the owner’s manual and factory literature, the original tool kit, jack, and wheel chock, as well as a rare factory dust cloth. Its provenance is further supported by a history file containing service records dating to the late 1970s, as well as original registration documents that chronicle the car’s continuous ownership history. Also included are a copy of Dino Compendium and a report prepared by author Mattias Bartz confirming that chassis 03236 retains its original matchingnumbers engine and gearbox.

A superb Dino 246 GT finished in elegant colors and possessing extraordinary originality, low mileage, and outstanding documentation, this remarkable Ferrari represents a rare opportunity to acquire one of the best-preserved examples of the model known to exist. Gooding Christie’s is pleased to offer this exceptional Dino and confidently recommends it to collectors with an appreciation for fine, unrestored sports cars.