Ferrari Dino 246 GT by Scaglietti 1973, Itália

Ferrari Dino 246 GT by Scaglietti 1973, Itália
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Introduced by Ferrari as an optional extra for the Dino 246 GT and GTS in December 1972, the bigger 7.5" x 14" magnesium Campagnolo were suitable for all those customers looking to give their car better handling and a more aggressive stance. Connoisseurs will certainly recognize these special Dinos for their distinctive flared wheel arches, necessitated by the larger wheels. This option was often paired with the iconic Daytona-style seats, thus giving birth to the now-famous ‘Chairs and Flairs’ nickname. This was quite a rare option as, on a total production of 1,800 cars, it is estimated that only 300 have been originally fitted as such.

Chassis no. 07294 was produced by the factory in October 1973 and delivered to the UK through Maranello Concessionaires. As evidenced in documentation accompanying the car from Tony Willis and the Maranello Concessionaires Archive, the original order for this Dino specified Argento Auteuil (106-E-1) paintwork with Nero (161) leather seats, but was changed at the original owner’s request in May 1973 to a more classic colour combination of Rosso Chiaro with Beige (430) leather seats and red carpets. The car was delivered in this colour scheme with the gorgeous Campagnolo 7.5 x 14 magnesium wheels and Daytona seats to Bertie Bradnack at Maranello Sales in Egham in November 1973. Later, the original Daytona seats were changed for standard seats.

After being sold by Mr. Bradnack to A.B. Caira, Esq., by at least early 1977, the car had travelled some 5,322 miles and returned to Maranello Concessionaires for a 6,000-mile service. Two years later, in the ownership of Peter Beaumont of Harrogate, the car received a cosmetic and mechanical restoration in 1982 with David Clarke in Leicestershire, which included stripping its bodywork to bare metal for a full repaint and interior retrim, totaling to £6,573.77, at which time the odometer read 6,247 miles. Incredibly, the Dino has travelled just over 1,500 miles since then and still resides in the UK. Furthermore, it is important to note that the car is accompanied by its original manuals and warranty card.

Perhaps one of the lowest-mileage Dino 246s in existence, chassis 07294 represents a great opportunity to acquire a rare ‘Chairs and Flares’ example in wonderful condition.