Dino 246 GT and GTS
Calls for more power were answered with the 2419.20 cc Dino 65° V6 engine,[8] DOHC, 2 valves per cylinder, 9.0:1 compression ratio, iron block with alloy heads. It produced 195 PS at 7,600 rpm and 23 kgm at 5,500 rpm of torque, and was available as a fixed-top GT coupé or, after 1971, an open Spyder GTS. A detuned American version had an exhaust air pump, and timing changes which resulted in 175 hp. The GT had 3X2-barrel 40 DCNF/6 or 40 DCNF/7 Weber carburetors. For the 246 a new version of the Dinoplex ignition was deployed, the more compact Magneti Marelli AEC103A system.[6]
The 246 Dino GT weighed 2380 lb. The 246 Dino GTS weighed 2426 lb. The body was now mostly made of steel to save cost. The 246 Dino had a 2.1 in longer wheelbase than the 206, at 92.1 in. The height of the 246 was the same as the 206 at 43.9 in. The new car had a revised interior. Other differences were 2 rows of 7 vents on the slightly longer engine lid of the 246 instead of 6 and a fuel cap flap cover instead of the exposed one of the 206.
Dino 246 production numbered 2,295 GT coupés and 1,274 GTS spyders, the latter being built after the Series III revision from 1972 to 1974 only, for a total production run of 3,569 cars. Three series of the Dino were built, with differences in wheels, windshield wiper coverage, and engine ventilation. The Series I cars (also known as L series), 357 of which were built until the summer of 1970, used the same center-bolt wheels and "clapping hands" windscreen wipers as did the 206. Series II cars (M series, built until July 1971 in 507 examples) received five-bolt Cromodora alloys and parallel moving wipers. The Series III cars (E series) had minor differences in gearing and fuel supply, and were built at a much higher rate as sales in the United States commenced with this version. 1,431 Series III GT coupés and 1,274 GTS removable top cars were built.[9]
The 246 had a claimed top speed of 146 mi/h, although in July 1971 a road test by Britain's Motor magazine reported a top speed of 148 mi/h, which compared favourably with the 136 mi/h achieved by a recently tested (though by now replaced) Porsche 911S.[8] With a 0 to 50 mph acceleration time of 5.5 seconds the Dino narrowly outperformed the Porsche again, although the Porsche was narrowly the winner on fuel economy.[8] The manufacturer's recommended UK retail price of £5,485 was higher than the £5,211 asked for the Porsche. For comparison, the much larger, four-passenger Citroën SM high-performance luxury coupe sold for £4,700.[8]
A Dino 246 GTS won the Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash in 1975.
In one 1978 incident, a Dino 246 GTS was discovered buried in a yard by some Los Angeles children. The car was later found to be the subject of an elaborate insurance fraud perpetrated by the owner.
The Dino's 2.4 L V6 was also used in the Fiat Dino 2400 and the Lancia Stratos rally car.
Minor trim differentiated various markets, including side marker lights required in the US market. Group 4-style flared wheelarches were optional, as were seats from the 365 GTB/4 Daytona, the pair often ordered in conjunction with wide, sand-cast Campagnolo alloy wheels.[9]
John Corbani and the "Do-It-All Dino"
One of the most well-known individual Dino 246 GTs was chassis number 04504, owned by California enthusiast John Corbani.[10] A retired electronics engineer from Santa Barbara, Corbani became a prominent figure on the FerrariChat online forum, where he documented his experiences with the car in extensive detail.[11] Unlike many owners who kept such cars as low-mileage collectibles, Corbani used his 1972 Dino as a daily driver for more than two decades, accumulating over 150,000 miles under his ownership and more than 190,000 miles in total.[12] Corbani performed much of the mechanical work himself, including an engine rebuild at 181,000 miles and regular valve adjustments. He also made practical modifications, such as repainting the car from its original Bianco Polo Park to Midnight Blue Metallic and fitting Gotti wheels.[12] The car was frequently used for unconventional purposes - such as commuting, long-distance trips, and even towing light equipment - which earned it the nickname “Do-It-All Dino” in Forza magazine.[12]
