Beauty was once defined as: “The adjustment of all parts proportionately in order that one cannot add or subtract or change without impairing the harmony of the entire.”
These words, penned by Leon Battista Alberti, a Renaissance poet who lived 400 years before the invention of the motorcar, perfectly describe the essence of the Ferrari 206 S Dino Spyder. During Pistonheads’ annual event at Bicester Heritage, I finally had the prospect to see this automotive in person.
Set against the backdrop of what was once the Royal Air Force Guard House, the 206 S was elegantly displayed amongst other iconic Ferraris. Girardo & Co., one in all the UK’s premier classic automotive dealers and the present custodian of the 206 S, offered a glimpse into their impressive inventory.
From a distance, you can mistake the 206 S for a Ferrari P330, but as you approach, its smaller, lighter frame – over 200kg lower than its sibling – becomes apparent. Each models hail from the renowned workshops of Carrozzeria Sports Cars and are also known as Drogo-bodied cars, named after Piero Drogo, a founding father of the design house.
The Nineteen Sixties ushered in an era of advanced aerodynamics and technology. Now not was all of it about smooth, easy profiles and tall, spoked wheels, and the 206 S is a testament to this evolution. It showcases a design that flows gracefully, with bodywork that seems to envelop the chassis like a silk gown, with few straight lines throughout.
The longer you’re taking it in, the more subtle details emerge. A crease along the front fenders remain hidden from some angles yet cut sharply from others, tapering seamlessly into the bodyline before forming a break within the rear arches.
Amongst its peers, the 206 S is extremely coveted. Only 18 were built, with just 13 in Spyder form. Of those, just two featured the best specification engine: the Formula One-derived Tipo 233 S V6.
The mechanical brutality of the engine is at odds with the bodywork, emphasising function over aesthetics. Six intake stacks draw air through meshed panels within the deck lid, producing an incredible soundtrack.
For a taste of this sound, try the video Girardo & Co. released – ensure to show the amount up!
With 270 horsepower, the 206 S boasts a powerful power-to-weight ratio, needing to propel just 650kg (1,433lbs) plus the driving force.
Its spartan interior further aids in weight reduction, featuring a minimalist dashboard dominated by a distinguished central tachometer. Aside from two low-back bucket seats divided by the exposed gear linkage and gated shifter, little else shares the compact cabin.
Competing within the 1967 FIA World Sports Automobile Championship, the 206 S raced within the sub-2000cc class alongside the P330/4. Though it had limited success in endurance racing, the 206 S excelled in European hillclimb events, where its lightweight construct, nimble handling, and robust power output proved a capable combination.
As time passes, cars have gotten larger and sometimes more garish. Styling has shifted towards angular designs, creases and surfaces with little cohesion across all the product. Safety regulations have definitely played a giant part on this, yet if corporations like Mazda can still produce the MX-5, perhaps it’s time to ask ourselves: “Where did we go mistaken?”
Chaydon Ford
Instagram: chaycore
This Article First Appeared At www.speedhunters.com
