A beautiful tarmac rally-prepared Ferrari Dino believed to have been the
first 246GT imported into Australia is an early highlight vehicle of Shannons
May 2 Autumn Auction in Sydney.
The Euro-spec Dino, chassis No
246GT00748, is one of the first series 246GT models with the 206GT-style
knock-off wheels and is understood to be the first converted to right hand drive
by the Ferrari factory.
It was purchased by the current owner in 2000 and
was then rally-prepared by noted Sydney specialist, Stuart Dunbar.
The
performance enhancements involved upgrading the Dino's mid-mounted 2.4-liter V6
engine to Lancia Stratos rally specs, while other upgrades included fitting
electronic ignition and a competition clutch.
Inside, the Dino is
equipped with a full roll cage with door side intrusion bars (all bolted to the
original seat belt anchor points), competition bucket seats with four-point
harness safety belts and a rally navigation system and footrest for the
passenger.
The car competed in the East Coast Classic Rally 2001/2002 and
following these events has been stored to the present day in a
humidity-controlled car cocoon and periodically exercised.
Shannons are
quoting a guiding price of US$146,000-$166,000.
Other interesting lots
already slated for the May 2 sale include a former concours-winning and very
correct 1955 MG TF Roadster ($31,000-$35,000), a nicely-presented
left-hand-drive 1963 Ford Thunderbird Coupe ($25,000-$29,000), a 1960 Cadillac
Series 62 Convertible that received a ground-up restoration and right hand drive
conversion in 1991 ($44,000-$49,000) and a restored 1928 LaSalle 314-A seven-seater
Limousine previously used as a wedding car ($43,000-$47,000).