Some cars arrive loudly. Others pull you in with restraint, proportion, and the kind of confidence that needs no introduction. This 1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS, now up for bid on Hemmings Auctions, belongs to the second group. Finished in Argento Auteuil Metallizzato silver paint. over Nuvola dark blue leather, it carries the elegance of a tailored Italian suit and the charm of a machine built during one of Ferrari’s most romantic eras.

With bidding currently at $300,000 and seven days remaining, this Dino has already become one of those auction moments that feels larger than the listing itself. According to documentation from Ferrari historian Marcel Massini, this example is believed to be the first targa-top Dino built for the U.S. market. It was delivered to Bill Harrah’s Modern Classic Motors in Reno, Nevada, in June 1972 and sold to its first retail owner the following month.

That timing matters, as the Dino 246 GTS represented a new kind of Ferrari experience for American buyers. It paired mid-engine balance with open-air driving, giving the Dino a more sensual and relaxed dimension without losing the precision that made the model so beloved.

The Dino has always occupied a special place in Ferrari history. Introduced first as the 206 GT in 1968, the line marked Ferrari’s first mid-engine road car and helped set a design direction that would influence Maranello for generations. The later 246 introduced a 2.4-liter version of the V6, and in 1972, the GTS added a removable roof panel that made the car feel even more connected to the road, the weather, and the moment.

This example captures that transition in rare form. Its numbers-matching 2.4-liter DOHC V6 and five-speed manual transaxle are confirmed by Massini documentation, and both were rebuilt during a 1998 mechanical refurbishment. The suspension was also refurbished at that time, giving the car the kind of care that serious collectors appreciate and thoughtful drivers can feel.

That balance is part of the Dino’s lasting appeal. It is collectible, yet it still feels alive. The 65-degree V6, fed by three Weber two-barrel carburetors, was rated at 175 horsepower for the U.S. market when new. By today’s numbers, that may sound modest. In a Dino, the figure almost misses the point. The experience is about balance, sound, delicacy, and response. It is the rising note of a Ferrari V6 behind the seats, a five-speed manual within reach, and a low windshield framing the road ahead.

Terry Shea of Hemmings captures it well, sharing, “This sports car might have carried a different marque, with an engine manufactured with outside help, but this 1972 Dino 246 GTS is still 100 percent Ferrari. In fact, the original Dino 206 GT was Ferrari’s first mid-engined street car, the start of a tradition that continues unbroken to this day.”

That is the heart of the car. The Dino has moved well beyond old debates about badging. Today, it stands as one of Ferrari’s most graceful and emotionally resonant designs. Its shape feels sculpted rather than styled, with compact proportions, sweeping fenders, and a cabin that places the driver close to the road and closer still to the machinery.

Provenance Gives the Dino Its Power

This car adds history to beauty. Its documented ownership trail shows that the third owner kept the car from 1978 to 1998, and the seller became its fourth owner in 2021. That kind of continuity gives the car a sense of stewardship. So does its awards history, which includes First in Class at the 2000 Newport Beach Concours d’Elegance, Third in Class at the 2000 Concorso Italiano, and Third in Class at the 2019 Tucson Classics Car Show.

The details make the car even richer. The removable roof panel was painted to match the silver body under previous ownership, creating a clean and elegant profile. European-style amber rear turn signal lenses add a subtle period touch. The 14-inch Cromodora alloy wheels wear Michelin rubber, and the exhaust exits through quad ANSA finishers. Inside, dark blue leather covers the seats, door cards, and center console, joined by matching blue carpeting. Factory air conditioning and power windows add comfort without softening the character of the car.

There are thoughtful updates as well, including higher-capacity cooling fans and a Superformance S4 ignition module designed to improve starting and running. These choices speak to care, use, and mechanical confidence. The seller describes the car as being in great condition with normal wear, which feels appropriate for a Dino with a life well lived. A car like this should have presence, history, and a pulse.

It also comes with the materials that matter at this level, including a comprehensive Marcel Massini Report, original owner’s manuals, the factory tool kit, and jack bag. In the world of important Ferraris, documentation deepens the story. It connects the car in front of you to the people, places, and moments that shaped its life.

The Dino 246 GTS was produced in smaller numbers than the coupe, and the model has become one of the defining collector Ferraris of its era. For collectors, that rarity matters. For drivers, the feeling matters even more. This silver Dino offers both.

In an age when luxury often gets louder and larger, this car offers a quieter kind of desire. It is intimate. It is rare without shouting. It is elegant without becoming precious. It rewards the person who understands that some of the greatest collector cars still ask to be driven.

Now live on Hemmings Auctions, this 1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS gives bidders a rare chance to pursue a documented, historically significant example of one of Ferrari’s most beloved road cars.