Ferrari Dino 206/246 GT History

Named after Enzo Ferrari's late son Alfredo 'Dino' Ferrari, the Dino 206 GT debuted in production form in 1967 as a transverse mid-engine sports car powered by a 2.0-litre V6. With only 152 aluminium-bodied examples built, the 206 GT was essentially a pilot series.

The steel-bodied, 2.4-litre 246 GT replaced it in 1969 and became the first Ferrari manufactured in substantial volume: 2,295 coupés were built, joined from 1972 by 1,274 targa-top 246 GTS examples. The 246's delicate Pininfarina lines — especially the GTS with its removable roof — made it one of the most admired shapes of its era.

Although sold without the Ferrari badge (the 'Dino' marque was dropped gradually in the mid-1970s), the 206/246 is universally acknowledged as a Ferrari and paved the way for the mid-engine V8 308 that followed.