Description
The L-series Dino 246 is viewed as a crossover between the 206 Dino and the more productionised M and E-Series versions of the 246. The L-series featured many of the attributes of the earlier Dino 206 GT such as alloy opening panels, 206 style seats, push-button to the boot lid in place of the later number plate light assembly, passenger foot brace and knock-off wheels. It is understood that only 357 L-series 246 Dinos were built between 1969 and 1970 and consequently are much sought after by collectors.
Completed on the 5th September 1969, #00488 was finished in Blu Dino Metallizato and was sold by the factory directly to Mr. Evan E Kimble II. Despite Mr Kimble being an American his car was delivered to Gottingen, Germany (where he was no doubt serving in the Armed Forces). The Dino was registered in New Jersey as UCL 368 but it not known whether the car actually travelled from Europe to the US. By 1988 though, the car was in Puerto Andratx, Majorca and had some point received a colour change to metallic green.
On the 18th September 1988 the Dino was sold to Christopher Joel of Dorking, Surrey. Mr. Joel imported the Dino into the UK and immediately despatched it to respected Surrey-based Ferrari restorers Moto Technique Ltd. for a full restoration. As documented by colour photographs and invoices in the comprehensive history file, the Dino was fully stripped to its bare chassis, which was cleaned, shot blasted and any corrosion repaired. The original engine was completely rebuilt with new pistons, bearings and camshafts. The gearbox was also rebuilt along with the braking system, steering and suspension. The interior was retrimmed in tan leather with black Daytona-style inserts to the seats. The speedometer was also replaced during the restoration. A total of 1, 910 hours was spent restoring the body and 255 hours rebuilding the engine and gearbox. The total cost of the restoration was £83, 760. 83 - in 1990! Apparently, once the restoration was complete Mr Joel didn’t register the car as he was too nervous to use it!
It is believed that all L-Series Dinos left the factory in LHD configuration, so as Mr. Joel was based in the UK he had the car converted to right-hand drive by Moto Technique during the restoration.
Mr. Simon Lees-Milne of Worcestershire purchased the Dino on the 25th October 1996 via Gloucestershire-based Ferrari specialists Mortimer, Houghton, Turner (MHT) and was registered in the UK for the first time as YPH 112G. An MOT certificate from this time confirms the car was showing only 1, 999 miles on the replacement speedometer. The Dino was serviced during Mr. Lees-Milne’s tenure by various specialists including MHT, Moto Technique and Evans Halshaw of Birmingham until it was purchased by Mr. Adam Taylor of Surrey on the 23rd June 2004.
In April 2005 Moto Technique overhauled the fuel and ignition systems plus works to the body and paint at a cost of £15, 000. Mr. Rod Parker of London then purchased the car in 2007. Of note, in 2014 Surrey-based Ferrari Specialists SMDG carried out various works to the Dino including an engine top-end rebuild with unleaded conversion and gearbox rebuild. The total invoice was £17, 060. 52, with further works in 2015 at a further cost of £1, 766. 38. The current owner purchased the Dino in 2017 and has used it very sparingly with only 24, 412 miles currently showing on the odometer and since its comprehensive restoration back in 1990.
Today, this matching numbers and possibly unique RHD L-Series Dino is offered for sale in fine condition and is accompanied by a comprehensive history file containing copious past invoices and MOT certificates. Also with the car are a Marparts Dino parts catalogue, a reprinted Ferrari UK service record book and original Dino 206 GT owner’s handbook.
