Want to buy Dino

Newbie and first time post. I am looking to buy my first Dino (hope this post is ok). I prefer a 246 with chairs, flares and rims but not against a 206 either. Not sure which one to go for. Prefer a car that is authentic, not restored, low mileage and good pedigree. Would anyone know of where I can start looking, who I can talk to, what books to read... Any advice would be appreciated.

Also, what is more collectible, a 206 or 246, any years more collectible than others, any options that would enhance the value of the car.

 

Not sure where you are but i would start by looking around various car dealers (if you can find any selling them)

Only been on here for a short time myself and the wealth of experience and knowledge is superb. Wished i knew about this site when i purchased my dino several years ago.

206 is much rarer i suppose than the 246 and will always command a higher price.

As for other options, i have the chairs and flares dino and when i bought it, no real value was put on these extras. However this is changing.

It is really down to the buyer and what he is prepared to pay for it.

It will be difficult to get an unmolested dino (in the UK) as they need a lot of attention. But in my opinion you will own one of the sexiest and best Ferraris ever made and that my friend is a true accollade to the car.

Good hunting

 

Ferrari Market Letter has a few for sale. A web search comes up with the online publication easily

 

sheehan has a nice one just in.

 

how much rarer are 206 compared to 246? are there certain years of 206 and 246 that are more desireable?
I live in California btw.

 

it's all about what you want to spend the $$$ on.

the 206 is rarer than the 246 ($$$points there)

the 246 is a better car ($$$ points depend on what you want)

the gts is twice as rare as the gt, although america is the only example of this. do you want an open top car or a coupe?

personally, i don't like the flairs and have never bought one for that reason. be careful, most chairs cars have been redone to meet that spec. a car that you can understnad and believe in is worth the money. based on increases, there are several cars coming out of the woodwork.

like all us believe, buy the best car your money can buy. how do you determine "best", good luck with that

 

Another thread had Classic Motor's silver GTS with 10k miles. That looked like a BEAUTIFUL car. He's about 20 minutes from my house, and if it's still there next week, I might tool over to take a look at it. A friend has been dealing with him for 25 years and says he can be grouchy, and ain't cheap, but is a straight guy. Not a chairs and flares car, tho.

 

Thanks for all the tips, keep em coming, it is very helpful.
As far as 206 vs 246, I will buy which ever right one comes first. But I am looking for a quality car with low mileage and everything original or as much as possible. And I do not mind spending a premium price provided the car warrants it.
If it is a 246, I definitely prefer the Spyder.
I would like more feedback on the chairs, flares and wheels that I hear about. What exactly are they and how can you tell if they are after market.
I have never heard of this Classic Auto thread, can you give me more info on it and the silver Dino sounds interesting, how can I find out more about it.

 

Call Tom Shaughnessy (949)378-8405, He has an original Flairs and chairs car, low miles, documented.

 

If you want a 206, you should probably buy this one: http://www.ferraris-online.com/pages/carintro.php?reqcardir=FE-206GT-00160

Otherwise you'll have to wait about 5 years for another to come on the market. I think you should think of it as being a different car entirely-- smaller, less powerful but lighter, less durable, and much more rare. Which means parts will be harder to find.

If you want a 246GTS, you're in luck. There are like 5 in Hemmings right now, so you have a selection.
The "flares" are just pieces of sheet metal welded on, sticking straight out, and many people dislike them. The chairs can be made up by any upholsterer, so unless you have paperwork from the factory proving the car was C+F originally, they mean nothing, it seems to me.

BTW, in my humble opinion "unrestored" means "will need total restoration soon," as paint, rubber, and lacquer paint only last so long. And these cars are over 30 years old now.

 

I would definately drive a 206 before buying one.

I really got caught up in the whole purity/rarity of the 206 versus the 246. Then I drove one.

WHAT A STONE (and no, there was nothing wrong with it).

It has something like 137ft. lbs of Torque.
I rented a cheap Hyndai to get from LAX to the seller's shop and could not believe how slow it was compared to my rental car.
I know vintage cars are not only about speed but there is a HUGE difference between the 206 and 246 in terms of acceleration and speed, despite what the magazines in 1967 reported.

jts

 

All Campagnolo wheels have a casting date in their backside to tell when they are made.

 

As you may know, the Daytona seats ("chairs") were a separate option from the wide Campy wheels/flared fenders. The flares/wheels make the car look more aggressive and are quite rare, hence the additional value AND tendency to try to add them to cars not originally so equipped. Check the history of any car alleged to be an original flared-fender example carefully.
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Personally i like the flares but its all about opinions.

I think you can tell if they are original by the way the lip folds in under the wheel arch. Many are just tagged on afterwards! Check the history thoroughly to make sure its original as it could actually de-value the car.

The option pack included campagnolo wide wheels, flared wheel arch extensions and daytona seats & nudge bar
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Original Flares and chairs car.
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This is just beautiful

 

Ron Tonkin had two of them, are they still there? In Portland OR.......

 

Really appreciate the feedback.
I checked into the price of Nick's Dino...$285,000. This is for a car that is completely original (10K miles)and needs no restoration. Having read a comment that these 30 year cars will need something, is it possible to locate a completely original and factory fresh vehicle. What do you think of the price?
My preference is for a vehicle that has been unrestored and need no restoration...is there something like this out there?

 

There's a joke about Dinos...they are worth the value of the house/garage you'd have built to keep them pristine all those years!

When I tease my uncle who had one new, about the current value he insists he would have spent that $275K in maintnence had he kept it, and STILL been upside down!

You are gonna drive it, right?

That would destroy the equity in a museum piece the moment it hits the gravel........

Call Ron Tonkin and at least test drive one of those if they are still there.....just a hop, skip and a jump up the road from you. I have dealt with them, my 1977 308GTB sold new there.....

 

contact modmaki he has one for sale

 

It comes down to what needs restoration in your opinion. If the leather is hard but only a few seams are beginning to tear, is it still OK?
If the paint isn't as shiny and smooth as a new, color sanded job but still fairly glossy and without too much orange peel, is it still OK? If there are only a few chips and cracks in the paint, is it still OK?

If the carpet is badly faded or has changed color with time but has no holes or severe wear spots, is it still OK?

I think the term "needs no restoration" is pretty much meaningless. One person would think it needs restoration and another not.

 

Thanks for all the tips. I am following up on each one of them. Again, I am looking for an extremely low mileage, all original car. Any assistance (courtesy to agents) or leads would be welcome.

Also, any tips on any other models that are around the $250,000 price that are considered or will be collectible would be appreciated. I am starting my collection now.

 

I decided to start the same way you did. I chose to get a Dino first because it seemed the most accessible of the older Ferraris. I am extremely happy with my decision. I got the lowest mileage car I could find and whose provenance I could confirm. I picked up the phone and spoke to the previous owners -- I figured they'd be happy to talk about the cars, and they were. The car I got was mechanically sound and overall in great condition. The paint is ORIGINAL (READ: "old"). From 5 feet away it looks great, but I am fighting the urge to have it redone, and get rid of the nicks and dings from gravel, etc. I think I'm going to lose that fight next year and paint it. You have to be honest with yourself, though, about how much you are going to drive the car. I drive mine every chance I get, and that results in more nicks and less perfection.(My car is black, so every single blemish shows up like a beacon.) There's no real reason to pay for perfect paint if you're gonna drive it a lot and can live with the chips. I love the way black looks, but a silver car probably hides stuff the best.

Don't forget to check the tires -- mine were also original and had to go immediately -- and correct replacements ain't cheap.

 

having seen this car in the flesh, i can say that i have never seen a finer dino. a stunner!!!!!

i think it could be a $300k car!!!!!

pcb

 

Did you make it over to Classic to see the Dino by any chance? If you did, what do you think of it?