The Ferrari Dino 246 GTS Sports Car

                                                Ferrari Dino 246 GTS                Image

                                           from Classic to Modern

THE CAR

     The 246 GT sports car had impressed the market, and so Ferrari decided to capitalise on its success by introducing the convertible variant.

     Designated the 246 GTS Spyder, it was launched in 1972 at the Geneva Motor Show, and featured a detachable Targa roof panel similar to that used in the Porsche 911 Targa.

     It weighed 2426 lbs, compared with the 1980 lbs of the 206 GT, due in part to the fact that, unlike the latter which used aluminium, the body panels of the GTS were made of steel in order to reduce cost.

     By the time production of the Spyder sports car ended in 1974, a total of 1,274 units had been built.

     Ignoring the removable Targa top, the Spyder differed from the GT by the absence of the rear side windows, which were replaced by a panel containing three slits to aid air throughput.

     Near the end of production, a particular option was offered whereby the sports cars were altered in order to be fitted with extra wide 7.5 inch Campagnolo alloy wheels which were of a different design to the standard wheels.

     This entailed adding flared wheel arches, whilst alternative seats came from the 365 GTB/4 Daytona.

     These unique sports cars were described as the Chairs and Flares variant. 

THE ENGINE

     LIke the 246 GT sports car, it was powered by a transverse mid-engined 2.4 litre, twin overhead cam, V6 unit which developed 195 bhp and 166 ft/lbs of torque.

     Fitted with a five speed manual gearbox, electronic ignition, and three twin choke Weber carburettors, this produced a top speed of 152 mph, and a 0-60 mph time of 7.5 secs. 

Technical Data
206 GT

246 GTS

Production 1968-1969 1972-1974
Engine, cc 1987 2418
Cylinders, bhp 6, 177 6, 195
Torque ft/lbs 137 166
Top Speed mph 140 151
0-60 mph, secs 7.5 7.5
0-100 mph, secs 19.221.5
Standing 1/4 Mile, secs 15.5 15.9

                                           1973 Ferari Dino 246 GTS                                                                      This 1972-74 Spyder used a 194 bhp, 2.4 litre,                                                       V6 with a 151 mph top and 0-60 in 7.5 secs.                                                              Seen here at a 2015 classic car show in                                                                             Surrey. Very tasty in yellow

                                                Ferrari Dino 246 GTS           Image

                                  Both are Chairs and Flares models                            Full Screen

THE COMPETITION

     Typical of the competition for the Ferrari 246 GTS sports car was: Porsche 911S Targa, Series 3 Jaguar E-Type, and Maserati Bora. Ferrari performance:   

                                                            Porsche         Jaguar        Maserati
Technical Data               246 GTS          911S        S3 E-Type         Bora
Production                    1972-1974       1972       1971-1974    1971-1979
Engine, cc                         2418             2341            5344              4930
Cylinders, bhp                 6, 195           6, 190         12, 314           8, 330
Torque ft/lbs                     166               159              349                325
Top Speed mph                  151               144              145                177
0-60 mph, secs                  7.5                7.8               6.8                 6.6
0-100 mph, secs               21.5              19.7             18.5               14.9
Standing 1/4 Mile, secs     15.9              15.5             14.8               14.6

SPORTS CARS FOR SALE

     In terms of the second hand market, a Ferrari 246 GTS Spyder, in very good condition, was sold at auction in the US for $250,000, whilst one in showroom condition fetched $430,000 at auction.

     On the other hand, a superb example of a Chairs and Flares sports car reached $0.5 million at auction.

     This was another of the classic cars from Ferrari.

                                               

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                                              see All My Reviews


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