At the 1972 Geneva Motor Show, Ferrari released an open-top version of the Dino 246 called the GTS. Over 1200 examples were produced over a two year period. The 246 GTS had a removable roof panel similar to the 1967 Porsche 911 Targa. Both these cars copied the idea from the Surrey-Top Triumph TR4 which was the first to use such a panel.
The Dino line was created in honor of Enzo Ferrari’s son Alfredo Ferrari who was championing the V6 engine before his untimely death. The series began with a number of 206 sport prototypes and eventually the 246 road cars.
The allure of the 246 GTS is further enhanced by two exclusive features known among collectors as “Chairs and Flares.” “Chairs” refers to special seats borrowed from Ferrari’s V-12-powered GTB/4 Daytona, featuring iconic leather racing-style buckets with striking inserts in a contrasting color. Complementing this, the “Flares” option offers Group 4-style flared wheel arches that add a touch of aggression to the Dino’s elegantly flowing lines. These arches house special 7.5-inch-wide magnesium alloy cast Campagnolo wheels unique to the model.
Notably, each feature could be ordered independently, making cars equipped with both “Chairs & Flares” exceptionally rare and highly sought-after. Research indicates that fewer than 150 GTS examples were produced with both features, elevating them to the pinnacle of Dino production.
Photo Source: RM Sotheby’s
