When Enzo Ferrari decided to keep the Prancing Horse badge far away from the Dino 246 GTS, he was not trying to build a budget bargain for people who could not afford a proper V12. He was executing a calculated maneuver: testing mid-engine layouts without diluting Maranello’s holy reputation.
Fast forward to mid-August 2026, and one of the finest results of that corporate anxiety, a 1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS “Chair and Flares” (chassis 06698) once owned by British rock legend Steve Winwood is set to hit the auction block at Gooding & Company during the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Behind the driver sits a mid-mounted 2.4-liter V6 breathing through triple dual-choke carburetors, churning out 195 HP at a screaming 7,600 rpm. Sure, today’s commuter cars might match that output on paper, but good luck finding roughly 2,425 lbs of dry weight on any modern showroom floor. Backed by a rigid tubular steel spaceframe chassis and tuned suspension, this lightweight setup delivers a zero-to-62 mph sprint in 7.2 seconds and a top speed of 146 mph. More importantly, it turns twisty backroads into an absolute masterclass in balance, proving that agility beats raw spec-sheet posturing every single time.
Debuted at the 1972 Geneva Motor Show as the open-top evolution of the GT coupé, Pininfarina’s sculpted bodywork added removable targa-top freedom to proportions so gorgeous they still heavily influence Maranello’s modern design language. Add the desirable “Chair and Flares” factory option, featuring Daytona-style seats and flared wheel arches, and you get the ultimate expression of 1970s motoring swagger.
The fact that two-time Grammy winner Steve Winwood (of Traffic, Blind Faith, and The Spencer Davis Group fame) once held the keys only elevates this 1-of-1,200-plus Dino 246 GTS from an exceptional sports car to a rolling piece of cultural history.
Purists may still debate whether a car lacking a Cavallino badge on its nose qualifies as a “true” Ferrari, but as bidders line up on the manicured lawns of Pebble Beach, the market will inevitably disagree.