To broaden its market appeal and supply more cost-effective sports cars without upsetting its existing clientele, in 1957, Ferrari began producing models with lower than 12 cylinders under the ‘Dino’ sub-brand.
The brand was named after Enzo Ferrari’s son Alfredo (nicknamed Dino), who was instrumental in influencing the introduction of smaller capability motors inside Ferrari before passing away at a young age. The intention was to fabricate road cars and go racing. A variety of Dinos were entered into Formula 2 and lower-capacity sports automotive classes over the many years, and for the road, there have been models just like the 1969 to 1974 Dino 246.
Forty years ago, Dino 246s traded hands for under £30,000, but as of late it’s not unusual to see pristine examples selling for upwards of £300,000. Dinos aren’t any longer the poor man’s Ferrari it might seem.
While most Dino owners are joyful to enjoy their cars as Ferrari intended, the owner of this 246 GTS decided to take his automotive to a different level. Enter Moto Technique, based in Surrey, United Kingdom.
The Moto Technique team have built a solid popularity for his or her restomods, taking the very best features of classic cars and sympathetically improving them with modern-day performance and reliability.
A high quality restomod isn’t at all times easy to inform from afar, and I initially only gave this automotive a cursory glance as I walked past it at one in all the annual Bicester Sunday Scramble events. Nonetheless, the eight individual throttle bodies rising from the engine bay drew me in for a more in-depth look. And that is when all the main points began to present themselves.
Just like the badge suggests, the Dino’s V6 has now been replaced by a 2.9L Ferrari V8 that’s been bored and stroked to three.6 litres. Respiratory through Jenvey throttle bodies managed by a MoTeC ECU, it now produces 400hp.
Because the Dino’s driveline was never designed to deal with double its original power, a Ferrari 328 gearbox has been fitted to handle the additional load.
One in all my favourite features is the wheels. Not only were the Dino’s original 15-inch Campagnolo wheels laser-scanned in order that they may very well be replicated in a 17-inch size, but the brand new wheels were forged in sand moulds, as per the originals, for an authentic appearance.
This increase in wheel size has allowed the fitment of a 4-pot brake setup, a necessity given the performance on tap.
Moreover, Nitron was enlisted to produce the damper setup, leading to a way more composed ride than the unique suspension could manage.
On the owner’s request, the carbon fibre rear deck lid was modified to have a perspex window fitted, allowing the motor to be seen.
Subtley flared arches, front light covers and a freed-up exhaust system round up the external modifications.
Inside, the Dino’s interior stays factory-looking for probably the most part, but a full retrim and a few modern amenities in the shape of air con and an uprated audio system add extra comfort.
Many individuals regard the Pininfarina-designed Dino 246 as one of the crucial beautiful cars to have ever rolled out of the Maranello factory. This instance, having passed through the Moto Technique workshop, has been elevated to that of a highly capable sports automotive, even when measured against modern machinery.
Restomods usually are not for everybody, but when done right, they manage to retain the identity and sense of occasion of the unique, while bringing modern-day useability and reliability into the equation. If quality restomods mean cars like this Dino 246 are used more often, I’m all for them.
Chaydon Ford
Instagram: chaycore
This Article First Appeared At www.speedhunters.com
