The inclusion of flared wheel arches and Daytona-style seats in this “chairs and flares” Ferrari Dino renders it a highly desirable vehicle for collectors.
Enzo Ferrari would undoubtedly be pleased to learn that in 2024, the vehicle bearing his son’s name remains a highly sought-after collector’s car. Currently, Bring a Trailer is hosting an auction for a 1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS, and bidding has already exceeded the half-million-dollar mark.
The Dino brand was established in honour of Alfredo “Dino” Ferrari, Enzo’s eldest son and a talented automotive engineer in his own right. Tragically, Dino passed away at the age of 24 in 1956 due to muscular dystrophy, prompting Enzo to name the engine he was developing—a 1.5-liter V6—in his son’s memory.
The introduction of the Dino model line came later in 1967 with the unveiling of the 206 GT. While initially conceived as an accessible sports car, some enthusiasts found its 2.0-litre Dino V6 engine, producing 160 horsepower, somewhat underwhelming.
The issue of modest power output was rectified in 1969 with the introduction of the Dino 246 and its Spider variant, the Dino 246 GTS, both featuring upgraded 2.4-liter Dino V6 engines delivering 192 horsepower. This model proved to be a tremendous success, leading to a production run of 3,500 units, an unprecedented figure for Ferrari at the time.
According to Hagerty’s valuations, the 1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS ranges in value from $407,000 in “Fair” condition to $715,000 in pristine “Concours” condition. However, these figures pertain to the standard model.
The example currently available on Bring a Trailer is finished in Giallo Fly yellow and boasts the rare “Chairs and Flares” trim, featuring Daytona-style seats (“chairs”) and flared arches (“flares”) to accommodate wider Campagnolo wheels. Only 91 U.S. spec versions were produced in this configuration, making them highly coveted.
As a result, Hagerty has projected a 15 per cent increase in value across the board for the “Chairs and Flares” variant, bringing values up to $822,250 for “Concours” condition, $730,250 for “Excellent” condition, $586,500 for “Good” condition, and $468,050 for “Fair” condition.
Considering that the specific car under consideration has 77,000 miles on the odometer and has recently undergone a cosmetic refurbishment, it is likely in “Good” or possibly “Excellent” condition, with an estimated value ranging from $586,500 to $730,250. This is encouraging news, as the current highest bid stands at $550,000 with six days remaining in the auction.
