Description

Chassis No. 05838

Few 50 year-old sports cars can boast such originality as Feldhorn's “time-capsule” Ferrari Dino 246 GTS offered here. According to factory production records and the research document on file compiled by renowned Dino historian and author of the impressive Dino Compendium Matthias Bartz, Ferrari Dino 246 GTS chassis number 05838 was produced at the Maranello-based Ferrari factory during Spring/Summer of 1973, and completed on 10 July 1973 exactly as it appears today, in the tasteful Grigio Ferro Metallizzato (106-E-8) exterior color over a Nero interior; both of which have been impressively preserved to this day. The new Dino was handsomely equipped with power windows, air conditioning, and leather interior, as a U.S.-market example destined for the Canadian market. According to Bartz, just 35 Dinos were completed in the Grigio Ferro Metallizzato exterior color.

On 18 October 1973, first owner William Griffiths of Mississauga/Milton, Ontario, Canada would take delivery of the new Grigio Ferro Dino from the local Ferrari dealer Yonge Steeles Motors Limited of Willowdale. Griffiths would retain the car until 1982, when local Ferrari specialist Maranello Motors of Downsview would purchase the 05838 with a reported 2,600 miles on the odometer. Impressively, Maranello Motors President's business card is still taped to the original warranty book. In 1987, with a reported 7,400 miles on the odometer, the Dino was acquired by fellow Ontarian Michael Devine, who would keep the car until 1996. Adding just about 2,000 miles to the odometer during Devine's ownership, 05838 was owned by Mark Mohney of Atlanta, Georgia USA during the late 1990s, and then sold to Pat and Lois Bush of Birmingham, Alabama in 1999, who would retain the car until 2008, when the highly original Grigio Ferro 246 GTS joined the impressive collection of Mr. Nicolas Juncadella of Stanford, New York, flanked by other Italian masterpiece motorcars such as a 1930s Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Zagato Spider, Ferrari 275 GTB/4, and 365 GTS.

Bill and Linda Feldhorn had been on the hunt for a great Dino for some time - not another “shopped around, re-sale red, lipstick-on-a-pig-type Dino,” but really a great car. Offered the opportunity to acquire this spectacular Dino in June of 2009, they acted quickly and snapped up 05838 with just 10,158 miles on the odometer for their growing collection of iconic sports cars. Soon after their acquisition, the Ferrari specialists at Fast Cars Ltd. of Redondo Beach, California was entrusted with a full mechanical evaluation of the highly original Dino, to make sure the car would drive and perform as well as it looked, while its exceptionally original cosmetic condition would remain preserved. Receipts can be found in 05838's impressive history file totaling over $13,000 for this work, which included engine, carburetor and ignition tuning and service, replacement of various seals and gaskets, cooling and AC system refurbishment, minor touch-up and paint correction of the original Grigio Ferro Metallizzato exterior paint and fitment of a fresh set of correct Michelin XWX tires on the original Cromodora wheels; all items which would be expected from a preserved car with such few miles. The Feldhorns would show the Dino in competitive FCA judging in August of 2010, where 05838 won both Platinum Award and Best in Show - Preservation, at the Château Julien, Carmel Valley event. In 2012, the Grigio Ferro Dino graced the lawns at the invitation-only, The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, and again in 2015, the Dino entered into Ferrari Club of America competitive judging and scored Platinum at the Southwest FCA meet in April that year.

Today the Feldhorn Dino remains a lovingly preserved and cared-for automobile, with just 11,475 miles indicated on the odometer at the time of cataloging. The car retains much of its well-polished, factory applied Grigio Ferro Metallizzato paint, and is one of just 35 examples finished in this timeless color. Original chrome and brightwork displays the same light age as the paint, and original glass, lights and lenses remain in situ. Inside, the cockpit retains the original “mouse fur” dash covering, instruments, switches and gauges, and the original black leather interior displays an irresistible patina. Compartments reveal further original factory finishes as well as factory-applied decals and ID plates, and the owners book pamphlet retains the original Warranty Card and Owner's Service Book, in addition to accompanying booklets and a period Dino sales brochure. A tool kit and jack in their bags are offered with the Dino as well, in addition to a comprehensive history file containing many receipts of work performed during the Feldhorn's 15 year ownership performed by Ferrari specialists Fast Cars, Ltd, Rex Nguyen Restorations, and GTO Engineering Los Angeles; a testimony to the Feldhorn's always devoted care to their cars, keeping them in the best running an driving condition at all times.

In tandem with the Ferrari Dino's worldwide rise in popularity over the past few decades, many finely restored examples have come to market and remain available. The Feldhorn's superbly preserved Grigio Ferro Dino 246 GTS 05838 offers a very rare opportunity to acquire a truly original example of this celebrated Maranello model.