Driver Magazine - Issue 1 Dec 24 (3) - Flipbook - Page 18
So, the Dino as we talk about it today did not in fact use a Fiat engine, but a Fiat actually used a Ferrari engine instead.
Back at Maranello, the team were busy developing and engineering the car which would hold the legendary name for the
first time. Between 1965 and 1967, up to six different prototypes were made and tested in the development of the car. But
one aspect would run through them all. The engine would be mounted in the middle.
From the earliest designs of the Dino Berlinetta Speciale in 1965 through to the eventual Competizione study of 1967, every
aspect of the Dino would be scrutinised and adjusted.
The mid-engined layout of the car would be a slight bone of contention within the Ferrari team. The mounting of the
engine in the middle of the car had become common place in the leading edge of motorsport by this point, but its use on
the road hadn9t been studied but would also mean the cabin of the car would have constraints.
In 1966, Ferrari9s neighbour and rival Lamborghini would unleash the Miura on the world – a radical mid-engined V12
powered icon that would be hailed as the world9s first super car and there the decision was made by Enzo that the car
should be mid-engined.
In late 1967, the Dino 206 GT would hit the streets. Powered by the 2-litre V6 mentioned before, the car would be designed
by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti. The car would use an aluminium body over a framework that held fully independent
suspension at all 4 corners as well as disc brakes. Between 1967 and 1969, just 152 206GT9s would be built and all of which
were left-hand drive.
Towards the end of 1969, customers were saying that their cars needed more power. With a claimed 180BHP, the Ferrari
team began to work on enlarging the displacement of the V6.
The displacement of this new V6 would be 2.4-litres and would now make around 200BHP in European spec cars for the
update version of the latest Dino. Following Ferrari9s naming model of 8displacement and cylinders9 the 246 was born.
The cars production would run from 1969 until 1974, with two variants. The hardtop GT and like the car you see here, the
targa-top GTS. In total, around 3500 246 Dino9s were produced during the car9s life cycle across 3 series.
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