1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS

Today the odometer reads 40,962 kms. On the occasion of its 2013 MoT a decade ago it had covered 36,880 kms.

It’s clearly led a fairly sedate and gently curated life – as evidenced by the fact that is is highly original, authentic, unrestored and, we believe, in thoroughly impressive all-round condition. We are also pleased to confirm that the car was delivered in its current colours of Verde Germoglio and Beige Leather with Red Carpets, specified with electric windows.

Due to somewhat complex circumstances behind the sale we currently have access to only a very limited history. We have very few of the documents, invoices or receipts mentioned in the following references to the car’s history. That said, we know something of the car’s provenance courtesy of two previous sales of the car by respected classic car dealers, The Hairpin Company, of Compton Bassett, Wiltshire.

They bought and sold the car in 2013 and then again in 2016, when the car still had fewer than 37,000 kms to its name.Their sales listing for 2016 states that the car was delivered new to its first owner on 10th April 1974, through HR Owen of Greenford, London.

The owner, a Mr. Ward Stewart, had specified that the car should be ‘Verde Germoglio’ (or ‘Bud Green’, in English) with beige leather. He further stipulated that the standard Goodyear tyres should be changed to Michelin XWXs.Mr. Stewart was clearly a keen motoring and sports car enthusiast and a man who very much knew his own mind.A total of just 69 Dinos left the factory wearing this striking shade of green. Only 9 were delivered new to the UK.

Mr Stewart enjoyed the Dino in the UK and Europe during the 1970s before moving at the end of the decade to Charleston, South Carolina. The Dino went with him.

We understand that Mr. Stewart took great care of the car, used it sparingly and had it routinely and regularly maintained and serviced by local Ferrari specialists.Apparently, the car attended numerous Ferrari Owners’ Club events, and frequently picked up concours trophies and prizes. The car passed to Ward's son Daniel in the 1990s. We understand that he was every bit as diligent and thorough in his care of the car as his father.

The car, which was by now well-known in Ferrari circles, was offered for sale by Daniel Stewart in 2011 with 34,000 kms on the clock. Internet chat and word-of-mouth soon drew the car to the attention of UK enthusiasts and it was promptly purchased by an established UK collector for his high-quality collection of rare and special original classics. Once back in Britain, the Dino was sent to ex-Maranello Concessionaires mechanic, Vince Mezzullo, to be thoroughly checked over and serviced.

Work carried out included the refurbishment of the steering rack at a cost of £2,800.In 2012 the interior was retrimmed by highly respected Ferrari experts, O’Rourke Coachtrimmers of West Sussex.The Hairpin Company bought the car and sold it to another prestigious collector in 2013.We are told that the car had been the subject of meticulous care and maintenance throughout its life, and certainly since it returned to the UK in 2011.

In 2016 the car was once again with Hairpin, who sold it to the current vendor.

In a Hairpin sales invoice addressed to the vendor they state that the car would cost £400,000 to buy (as seen) in 2016 but, should the new owner wish to do so, could be fully restored at an additional cost of £135,000, making the total price £535,000.Very wisely, in our opinion, the vendor chose to keep this original car in its authentic, unrestored state – and we think it’s all the better for that.We have driven the car and can confirm that it goes about its beautiful, classy, thoroughbred business with a degree of taut, rattle-free engineering integrity that attests to the fact that it’s never been stripped down to nuts and bolts and reassembled.

The doors close with all the weight, certainty and precision you’d normally expect to find on vehicles built with typically Teutonic exactitude in Zuffenhausen.

And it has the all the characterful agility, balance, poise and steering directness you’d hope and expect to find in a mid-engined Maranello masterpiece.It picks up pace well and presses on with enthusiasm.Second gear can be a little elusive until the gearbox is warmed up but, as marque aficionados will know, that’s a trait of Ferraris of this vintage, not a fault.It is, in every sense, a joy to behold and to drive.

The bodywork is very good, in general, and there are no dents, dinks, creases, ripples or folds of any consequence to report. The vibrant green paintwork, which made people smile wherever we went in this gorgeous car, has plenty of shine and vibrancy to it – but there are some cosmetic issues.The paint is crazed on both rear wings and on the top, rear section of the driver’s door.

There are one or two paint chips in evidence on both rear wings and, on the driver’s side rear wing, a couple of small, shallow indentations.There is a barely perceptible indentation just ahead of the filler flap on the passenger side.

The paint behind the rear bumpers where they end near the number plate is a little distressed and scabby (but largely hidden from sight).The chrome is pretty decent all round, with the bumpers and Ansa quad exhaust tips looking shiny, bright and only barely acquainted with any foxing or pitting.The lights, lenses, badging and other exterior fixtures and fittings are all fine, as are the wheels, save for one or two scuffs on the offside pair.

The condition of the interior is really very good indeed and, aside from the fact that it was retrimmed 11 years ago, everything looks pretty authentic and original to us. The beige upholstery is untroubled by anything as vulgar as a crease or any other signs of wear and tear. Ditto the door cards.The red carpets are beyond reproach.

The dashboard padding is a further testament to the car’s unrestored status, at least inasmuch as it is intact and functional but has become somewhat faded over the years.

We didn’t press every toggle, flick every switch or pull every knob when we drove the car, but those we did press, flick and pull did what we expected them to do.As far as we know, everything works as it should.

The Targa roof fits well and lifts in and out with a minimum of fuss. Some of its rubber seal is starting to look a little long in the tooth and is beginning to deteriorate.The rear luggage space is in excellent condition.So, too is the under-bonnet storage space, which contains a spare wheel and a battery isolator switch.

Everything in the engine bay appears to be clean, dry, right and proper.

There are what look like original Ziebart stickers affixed to the rear screen, and the plugs inside the door jambs suggest that the car has had all its interior nooks and crannies treated.

Certainly, the car’s undersides look to have plenty of structural integrity and we’ve seen nothing to prompt a frown, raise an eyebrow or summon a tut.Clearly, you’ll want to see for yourself and reach your own conclusion.

Unfortunately, most of our understanding of the car’s history is either anecdotal or comes courtesy of previous Hairpin sales listings. However, recently, we have been able to obtain copies of documentation to confirm it retains its original colour specification and is a matching numbers vehicle. Please do have a look at these documents in our photograph gallery to discover more. This Dino is being sold on Bill of Sale, and a new V5 will need to be applied for.

The condition of the car - as evidenced by our own eyes and our experience of driving the car - is wholly consistent with everything we’ve heard and read and we have no reason to doubt what we’ve been told.

If we manage to unearth more documentary history we will, of course, post it in the documents section.

This is a vanishingly rare car in every sense. One of just 254 RHD models made. One of just 9 delivered to the UK wearing ‘Verde Germoglio’ livery. Owned by a father and son for 37 years. Part of two prestigious collections in the UK. Retaining its original colour specification, inside and out, and a matching numbers example.

Always maintained, always serviced, always cared-for.

Sparingly used. Never restored. Rare? Certainly. Unique? Quite probably.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £275,000 - £300,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ, Abingdon. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.