Ferrari Dino
One of the rarest Ferrari 246 GTS Dino variants in existence is appearing at this year’s show. The famous ‘Flares & Chairs’ variant is one of only 12 ever built by Ferrari worldwide. The ‘Flares & Chairs’ package included factory-fitted 7½-inch sand-cast Campagnolo wheels with a wider track, flared wheel arches and Daytona style seats.
Dino was a marque for mid-engined, rear-drive sports cars produced by Ferrari from 1968 to 1976. Used for models with engines with fewer than 12 cylinders, it was an attempt by the company to offer a relatively low-cost sports car. The Ferrari name remained reserved for its premium V-12 and flat 12 models until 1976, when “Dino” was retired in favour of full Ferrari branding.
The “Dino” marque was created to market a lower priced, “affordable” sports car capable of taking on the Porsche 911. Ferrari’s expensive V12s well exceeded the 911 in both performance and price. Enzo Ferrari did not want to diminish his exclusive brand with a cheaper car, so the “Dino” was created.
The name “Dino” honours the founder’s late son, Alfredo “Dino” Ferrari, credited with designing the V6 engine used in the car. Along with engineer Vittorio Jano, Dino persuaded his father to produce a line of racing cars in the 1950s with V6 and V8 engines.