Whole Lotta Love for Led Zeppelin Manager’s Ferrari 246 Dino GTS

When it comes to offering historically significant cars, baby we’re not fooling here at Car & Classic because the latest in a long and distinguished line of famous motors is this 1973 Ferrari 246 Dino GTS that was ordered from new and owned by rock legends Led Zeppelin’s larger than life manager Peter Grant. Rocking and rolling into our online auctions the car, aside from it’s rock star credentials, is also a bit of a rarity, being as it is one of only 235 right-hand drive versions sold in the UK between 1972 and 1974.

Rock and roll behemoth Peter Grant was Led Zeppelin’s manager from the band’s inception in ’68 to its dissolution in 1980 following the death of drummer John Bonham. An intimidating figure, Grant was seen as the driving force behind the band’s stratospheric rise to superstardom. As a shrewd businessman his uncompromising determination, persuasive presence and unwavering loyalty to Led Zeppelin rightly earned him a reputation for being one of the best in the business who literally changed the entire industry. 1973 saw him, and the band, at the height of their powers and so it seems fitting that he would demand the best when it came to his own personal runabout. Enter the 246 Dino GTS.

Being a GTS this particular matching numbers Dino (chassis number 06040) is a spyder, which means a removable roof panel, but it retains the mechanical underpinnings and performance of its GT brother; performance that sees the Dino reach a top speed of almost 150mph thanks to its just-shy-of 200bhp 2.4-litre V6 engine. Incidentally a GTS would take victory in the 1975 Cannonball Run, not only amassing serious kudos points in the process but also eschewing any doubt as to the model’s performance credentials.

Developed as a slightly updated and more powerful version of Ferrari’s previous Pininfarina-designed Dino 206 GT – as was the public’s request – the 246 retained its predecessor’s fully independent suspension, all round disc brake setup and five-speed manual gearbox, but with an elongated wheelbase, and of course, the more powerful V6 engine mentioned above.

Ordered new via esteemed UK Ferrari distributor H.R. Owen and registered on 28th August 1973 to Mr Peter Grant, this 246 Dino GTS was optioned in non-standard, non-metallic ‘Rosso Bordeaux’ paint with brown ‘Marrone’ leather upholstery, one of only 114 ordered in this spec. At a time when he could have bought a new car every few months Grant instead chose to stick with the Dino, keeping the car for almost three years, testament to its enduring appeal.

This particular Maranello masterpiece has been fastidiously cared for and maintained throughout its life by its numerous distinguished owners, consistently entrusted to various Ferrari specialists for any upkeep and servicing needs. With a comprehensive history file documenting the car’s meticulous maintenance record, including confirmation of fresh paint and trim as well as myriad mechanical works such as fully rebuilt suspension and brakes, refurbished radiator with new header tank and the installation of a high torque starter motor, it’s clear to see that this is a cherished example.

All of this paperwork sits alongside original correspondence with the Ferrari factory in Maranello, as well as the original logbook bearing Peter Grant’s name. The car has also featured in numerous publications along the way, including ‘Ferrari Dino’ by Anthony Curtis and ‘Ferrari-The Ultimate Dream Machine’ by Paul W. Cockerham, among others.

Equally at home in the California sunlight as it is in sweet Calcutta rain and perfect for a misty mountain hop this 1973 Ferrari 246 Dino GTS is not only a fantastic piece of Led Zep memorabilia but also a beautiful and usable example of a highly collectable Ferrari. But we won’t ramble on any longer, instead we’ll let the pictures do the talking so head on over to the listing where you can find the full write-up as well as hundreds of professionally shot photographs of the car. The auction ends on the 29th of February so there’s still time to change the road you’re on…