Ferrari Fire Sale: a Dino for $129,500
Billed as the cheapest example on the market, a 1972 Ferrari 246GT Dino could be yours at a bargain price. There’s just one slight problem—it’s a fire-ravaged wreck.
Gullwing Motors of New York describes the car as having been “completely burnt.” There are gaping holes in the hood, tail and rear quarter panel as flames ate through the steel bodywork, which is now almost entirely covered in surface rust. The interior is totally gone but the 2.4-liter V-6 engine seems to have mostly survived, although anything that isn’t metal has melted.
Before the fire the car was finished in Marron Colorado with tan leather and is U.S. specification, having been delivered to Luigi Chinetti Motors in New York from the factory. Power windows and cromodora wheels (now destroyed) were fitted.
“This car clearly needs complete restoration,” notes Gullwing Motors, adding “This deal is on fire!” and “The Dino market is hot and shows no signs of cooling.”
All jokes aside, if the car can be recovered then it could well be worth the effort. In 2022 a 1974 example set an all-time auction record at $858,000, we picked it out as a rising star in our 2022 Bull Market, and Dinos are now even outselling Daytonas.
“Driving the Dino was like no other experience,” says past owner Wayne Carini. “From how well the car fit me, to the perfect balance front to rear, as well as the car’s overall balance of power, handling, braking, and shifting from the five-speed manual transmission.”
If you’re tempted to rescue this destroyed Dino then make sure you read our guide first and check the latest value with our valuation tool.
The Dino is amazing. I remember back when no one wanted one of these. They were cheap and many never would even call it a Ferrari. But when the Ferrari prices in the late 80’s and early 90’s took off these went witht those prices.
They were a beautiful looking car for sure but not really any faster than a Fiero V6.
Because of the value I am sure someone will save this one. A Dino guy sitting on a lot of parts will rebuild it and should make a profit.
This is yet another example of as car that was rejected for the most part turned it around and became a lighting rod for increased value. It shows where many cars predicted to be collectables fall flat but one from no where ends up being that one car.
and as an added bonus a lot more Fieros caught on fire, though I doubt anyone bothered to keep them after.
Probably the same fool that bought that crumpled up ball of Ferrari a few months ago will buy this thing too. You couldn’t sell the parts off this for 130k.
Good luck to whoever buys this. Seems like a waste of time, but I don’t buy scrap.
All a builder needs/wants is the serial plate. If he can build a new car for, let’s say, $100K less than market value, it’s time and money well spent. The serial plate changes the build from a “clone” (“fake” to some), to a Frame Up Restoration. The old “George Washington Cherry Tree Axe” rule applies here.
I believe a fool and $129,500 of their money has been parted.