To broaden its market appeal and provide more affordable sports cars without upsetting its existing clientele, in 1957, Ferrari began producing models with less 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 capacity motors within Ferrari before passing away at a young age. The intention was to manufacture road cars and go racing. A number of Dinos were entered into Formula 2 and lower-capacity sports car classes over the decades, and for the road, there were models like the 1969 to 1974 Dino 246.
Forty years ago, Dino 246s traded hands for under £30,000, but these days it’s not uncommon to see pristine examples selling for upwards of £300,000. Dinos are no longer the poor man’s Ferrari it would seem.
While most Dino owners are happy to enjoy their cars as Ferrari intended, the owner of this 246 GTS decided to take his car to another level. Enter Moto Technique, based in Surrey, United Kingdom.
The Moto Technique team have built a solid reputation for their restomods, taking the best features of classic cars and sympathetically improving them with modern day performance and reliability.
A quality restomod isn’t always easy to tell from afar, and I initially only gave this car a cursory glance as I walked past it at one of the annual Bicester Sunday Scramble events. However, the eight individual throttle bodies rising from the engine bay drew me in for a closer look. And this is when all the details started to present themselves.
Like the badge suggests, the Dino’s V6 has now been replaced by a 2.9L Ferrari V8 that’s been bored and stroked to 3.6 litres. Breathing through Jenvey throttle bodies managed by a MoTeC ECU, it now produces 400hp.
As the Dino’s driveline was never designed to cope with double its original power, a Ferrari 328 gearbox has been fitted to handle the extra load.
One of my favourite features is the wheels. Not only were the Dino’s original 15-inch Campagnolo wheels laser-scanned so they could be replicated in a 17-inch size, but the new wheels were cast 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.
Furthermore, Nitron was enlisted to supply the damper setup, resulting in a far more composed ride than the original suspension could manage.
At 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 remains factory-looking for the most part, but a full retrim and some modern amenities in the form of air conditioning and an uprated audio system add extra comfort.
Many people regard the Pininfarina-designed Dino 246 as one of the most beautiful cars to have ever rolled out of the Maranello factory. This example, having passed through the Moto Technique workshop, has been elevated to that of a highly capable sports car, even when measured against modern machinery.
Restomods are not for everyone, but when done right, they manage to retain the identity and sense of occasion of the original, 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
First, great pictures, I wish I had come along.
Secondly, sorry to be a pedant, but Dino (the person) worked on the design of the Ferrari V6 engine, and subsequently V6s were known as Dino engines.
One of the reasons the Dino car is so named is because it had a V6 engine; it didn't come with a 2.9 V8.
Thanks for pointing that out - i'm aware they all came with a v6, will tweak it to reflect its a different ferrari v8 thats fitted
great pictures... yeah... how about one with the entire car in it
I guess you didn't look at all the pictures eh?
I agree with him. Two out of 16 photos show the complete car. None from the side or front 3/4. Personally I'm sick of articles, both here and other publications, that prioritize artful photography over making sure the subject is properly covered. First and foremost there should always be a number of shots of the entire subject that are cropped to fill the frame of the image. If there's a particular feature of the car that stands out, at least one photos should show it to best advantage. Once you've accomplished that, then go around for closeups and details. At least some of those should not be short focal depth, which looks artful but often obscures things people want to see. The last thing is a few artful environmental shots. If they are particularly compelling then sure, I want to see that too, but not at the expense of getting decent, clear shots of the subject. I should add that I'm a design and photography professional - I get the importance of art in world. I just don't want the experience of being informed to be subordinate to "pretty pictures". To some degree they can coexist, which is what I usually prefer.
*Rant off*
Sadly the car had left by the time I went back to get more photos of it, normally I'd try get a nice mix of detailed and wide shots but not always possible at an event where people are constantly in the way and cars are coming and going. The car was still worthy of featuring as a short spotlight though.
Wear all of your cameras, plus extra lenses strapped to your belt and wear a neon yellow "press" vest and a siren on top of your head. That should help people notice you...
I'm in shock that the owner had the money to have them cast a new set of wheels. I'm going to assume the shop will have more sets made to recover the cost.
What a sad, sad life you lead. I, for one, prefer artful photography over boring "documentary" style.
“What a sad life you live”
Says the yokel who probably can’t rebuild a carburetor or chop a decent lap time in any car to save his life.
Apparently you only read what you want and ignore the rest. I like artful photography just fine. But I want articles like this to have more documentary-like content and composition too. They are not mutually exclusive.
I don’t think it’s necessarily art, just a focus on detail shots. This was also at a car show and sometimes it’s more difficult to get wide shots with the amount of people around as opposed to a private shoot.
In this specific case it looks like there's plenty of room around the car. I understand the limitations of shooting live events vs. a private shoot. My rant is long-brewing annoyance that is not aimed specifically at Speedhunters.
So money, can buy "good taste", after all.
Its rare, but it can happen! There are many gold plated and crystal adorned supercars that keep these in the minority though.
Wow, Campagnolo made car wheels? wtf?
Awesome car
They've been making bikes and bike parts since the 1930's but they branched out in the 1950's into lightweight magnesium parts for cars and other projects.
Man is there any way we can hear that bad boy in action???
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYEICBDOfi8&ab_channel=CollectingCars
I'm curious what engine it uses. Is it from the 308?
In one youtube video the builder says it is from the 328
Fun build. Road cars have zero to do with performance so people should do whatever they want and enjoy them. On that note the owner has built a nice car with some very cool updates.
I love how this comment section goes crazy for anyone who dares to think critically or have any differing opinion from the Baaaaaah Baaaaaaah sheep.
Damn, what would Rupert think of this. Yeah. THAT RUPERT. iykyk.
Even though I'm a Porschefile and a German "car guy" FOR LIFE I do like classic Ferraris and this one is nice! I had a kid on my school bus 7 years ago and his dad was the VP of Ferrari North America Finance. Can't believe Lewis is going to drive for Ferrari. He's done and should retire. He's still the greatest F1 driver of ALL TIME!!
This vehicle is incredible. The wheels and brakes transform the car's aesthetic appeal. I don't think carbon fibre belongs on this vehicle; a louvred steel or aluminium engine cover would be more suitable. Anyway, I can only dream of driving something like this.