1970 Ferrari Dino 246 GT L Series

This breathtaking Ferrari was a rare, personal tribute created by Enzo Ferrari himself. The 1970 Ferrari Dino 246 GT L Series was close to the heart of Mr. Ferrari, built in the honor of his late son, Alfredo “Dino” Ferrari. Dino Ferrari was the heir apparent of the brand, working under the tutelage of his father before passing at 24 to a kidney disease. It’s a tragic story, but this loss led Enzo Ferrari to design and build one of the most remarkable Ferraris of that era, the Ferrari Dino 246 GT.

The 1970 Ferrari Dino 246 GT L was one of just 357 built over a two-year span. The “L-Series” qualifier indicated the 2.4L V6 engine, the top performance version of the Dino. It produced 195-horsepower from this Fiat-sourced engine, enough power to challenge the Porsche 911’s and other competitors of its day.

Fans of Ferrari will notice one subtle omission — no prancing horse. The hood ornament, steering wheel and rear badge all show “Dino” branding. In its day, the Dino was offered as a separate marque, not officially a part of the Ferrari product line. It’s another reflection of how rare and unusual this vehicle was for Ferrari, and how important it was to its creator, Enzo Ferrari himself.

The design of the 1970 Ferrari Dino 246 GT L Series was created by the group behind some of the 20th century’s greatest vehicles. Pininfarina penned this design for Ferrari, a classy, curvy stand-out that is as appealing today as it was at the end of the 1960s. Its aerodynamic, race-minded styling is as fun as it is functional. The sporty feel was also reflected in the no-nonsense interior with metal, leather and big, chunky gauges.

The 1970 Ferrari Dino 246GT L pictured here will be up for auction in February 2015 in Paris, offered by RM Auctions. I expect reserve or bid range details to come closer to February, but I’d guess this Ferrari will claim no less than $500,000 once the gavel drops.

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