1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GT 'Chairs & Flares'
- Colour
- Light red ('Rosso Chiaro')
Ferrari Dino 246 GT (chassis 04970) is a factory E-Series coupe completed in November 1972, finished in rosso chiaro over black leather, and specified for the American market. It is one of only five U.S.-delivered examples equipped from the factory with both Daytona-style seats and flared fenders to accommodate 7½-inch Campagnolo wheels — the so-called 'Chairs and Flares' configuration. With fewer than 34,000 miles recorded and its 1975 repaint still intact, the car represents an exceptional example of long-term single-custodian preservation.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$406,500
- —Auction saleSold US$483,500
- 1973 → 1973Factory deliveryMCM / Griswold Ferrari (distribution and retail)partial documentation
Car was shipped from the factory to William Harrah's Reno distributorship and retailed through the Berkeley dealership; originally reserved for the dealer principal's son before becoming available to the public.
- 1973 → 2014Private saleMajor Alfred Thomasfull documentation
US Air Force officer who bought the car impulsively after a promotion; used it regularly but kept it carefully sheltered from bad weather. Had it refinished in the original color by Griswold in 1975, later had mechanical upkeep performed by FAF Motorsports in Georgia, and prepared it for sale by fitting new tires and floor mats.
- 2014 →Private saleCurrent consignorpartial documentation
Acquired in March 2014 and drove the car sparingly, adding very few miles to the odometer.
Competition
- —Sebring hot laps sessionDriver: Major Alfred Thomas
The owner participated in an informal track session at Sebring on at least one occasion during his Florida years; described as a rare outing rather than a formal race entry.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1975BodyworkGriswold Ferrari
The car was returned to Griswold Ferrari in Berkeley, which carried out a high-quality exterior refinish in the original factory rosso chiaro colour.
This repaint remains on the car at the time of cataloguing.
- 2014Service
In preparation for sale, the owner fitted a new set of Michelin XWX tyres and replaced the worn cabin floor mats.
Carried out by the owner ahead of the March 2014 offering.
- —MechanicalFAF Motorsports
FAF Motorsports performed minor mechanical adjustments including fitting a dashboard toggle switch for the cooling fans, isolating the radiator temperature switch, and removing the air conditioning drive belt.
Work carried out during the period when the owner was based in the southern United States, likely between 1981 and 1988.
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