1968 FERRARI DINO 166/246T FORMULA 2/TASMAN FORMULA RACING SINGLE-SEATER

Description:


SOLD SOLD SOLD for US$ 1,210,000 (£725,294) including buyers premium.

The Ex-Chris Amon, Brian Redman, 'Tino' Brambilla, Graeme Lawrence, Back-to-back Tasman Championship-winning
1968-69 FERRARI DINO 166/246T FORMULA 2/TASMAN FORMULA RACING SINGLE-SEATER

Chassis no. 0008



*1969 Championship title-winning car driven by Ferrari's No 1
*1970 Championship title-winning car driven by Graeme Lawrence
*The car Brian Redman drove on his works Ferrari debut
*Described as "the sexiest single-seater Ferrari ever built..."
*Dual-purpose 1.6-litre Formula 2/2.4-litre Tasman Formula design
*Ex-Pierre Bardinon Collection
*Preserved for the past 34 years in the Collezione Maranello Rosso


THE FERRARI DINO 166 FORMULA 2/246 TASMAN SINGLE-SEATER

In addition to campaigning its multiple World Championship-winning Grand Prix cars throughout the 1950s into the mid-1960s, Ferrari also dabbled consistently with the subsidiary Formula 2 class. This category in those years provided an arena in which developing young drivers could match their prowess against the established Grand Prix stars.

From 1964-66 Formula 2 regulations demanded production-based engines of no more than 1-litre capacity. The FIA then announced an upgrade to take effect in 1967, increasing Formula 2 engine size to 1.6-litres that provided a better stepping-stone class just below full 3-litre Formula 1. Ferrari had not participated in the 1-litre category, and when the marque's new Formula 2 Dino 166 design made its public debut at the Turin Salone dell'Automobile exhibition in February 1967, it had been eagerly-awaited.

The car was an immediate sensation, a gorgeous scaled-down version of Ferrari's always admired Formula 1 monoposti, most particularly of the 'Aero' monocoque 1½-litre designs of 1964-65, with its latest 65-degree V6 engine slung in a tubular sub-frame at the rear. The engine had bore and stroke dimensions of 86mm x 45.8mm, displacing 1596.3cc. One-piece cam covers with cast-on 'Dino' lettering – derived from the hand-written signature of Mr Ferrari's late only legitimate son, Alfredo (Alfredino – 'Dino') – housed twin chain-driven overhead camshafts to each cylinder bank.

They actuated three valves per cylinder (two inlets and one exhaust) set in Heron-type cylinder heads. The power unit used Lucas fuel injection and Marelli Magnetti transistorized twin-plug ignition. It was rated initially at 200bhp, produced at an ear-splitting 10,000rpm. Ferrari could argue that it was production based since the Dino V6 engine series – originated for racing in 1957-58, had been spun off into the 2-litre Dino 206 street Coupe just like the example offered in today's sale.

This Formula 2 Ferrari Dino 166 made its delayed racing debut on July 9 that year, when British driver Jonathan Williams made his single-seater Ferrari debut at the French circuit of Rouen-les-Essarts. The F2 Ferrari Dino clearly handled and braked well, but proved under-powered against 4-cylinder British opposition, engined by Cosworth-Ford. Although the car would then often be seen testing at Modena later that year, it did not race again until a 4-valve per cylinder V6 engine had been developed for it.

Meanwhile, New Zealand Ferrari factory team driver Chris Amon sparked interest in the island nation for Ferrari to contest the forthcoming 1968 Tasman Championship – a much-publicised series of International races (supported by several leading Formula 1 stars) in New Zealand and Australia in the opening months of the forthcoming year. The Formula 2 Dino 166 chassis nacelle was adopted, with an 18-valve dual-ignition 2.4-litre V6 engine installed, the Tasman Formula dictating a capacity ceiling of 2500cc. The big short-stroke Tasman V6 engine's bore and stroke had been altered to 90mm x just 63mm, 2404.7cc, for this application. With an 11.5:1 compression ratio Ferrari claimed a meaty 285bhp at 8,900rpm and muscular mid-range torque.

With youthful Ing. Gianni Marelli in technical charge of their tiny team, Ferrari fortunes relied upon a singleton entry – ostensibly using Dino 166/246T chassis '0004' - for Chris Amon in the Antipodean series, and they proved that the 11-year-old Jano V6 could still be a race winner in the right circumstances. In fact Chris Amon won the New Zealand Grand Prix at Pukekohe, then the next round at Levin, he finished second at Christchurch and in the Australian GP at Melbourne, and fourth at Teretonga, New Zealand, and Warwick Farm, Australia. He ended that 1968 Tasman tour as runner-up in the Tasman Championship, beaten only by Jim Clark's Lotus-Cosworth 49T.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

The following 1968 Formula 2 campaign in Europe saw the chassis offered here – serial '0008' – emerge brand-new with 1600cc V6 F2 engine, to be driven by Chris Amon in the Barcelona round of the European Formula 2 Championship at Montjuich Park, in which he promptly finished third.

The car was then entrusted to fast-rising British star Brian Redman who had been invited to make his Ferrari debut, driving '0008' in the Formula 2 EifelRennen at the Nurburgring Sudschleife in West Germany, on April 21. The popular, immensely approachable, Lancastrian performing simply brilliantly to finish fourth despite delay after his goggles were smashed, cutting one eye. Chief engineer and team director Mauro Forghieri was immensely impressed, and after a telephone call to Mr Ferrari offered Redman a Ferrari contract – which he turned down...

Bonhams' senior race car consultant reported that amazing drive for the British weekly sporting newspaper 'Motoring News' – and the sight of Brian three-wheeling '0008' round the Nurburgring South Circuit's bumpy turns remains a startlingly vivid memory. To be handling that very car – preserved in such startlingly original and unspoiled condition - during the build-up to this Sale is both a privilege and a pleasure.

According to a listing provided to Doug Nye by Ferrari during research for his 1979-published book 'Dino – The Little Ferrari' (Osprey, London) - Ferrari 166 Dino chassis '0008' was then deployed again in the Rhein Cup race at Hockenheim, Germany, on June 16. Driven by Chris Amon, it was delayed to finish eighth. It was then one of the three works team cars damaged in a multiple accident at the Curva Parabolica in the Monza Lottery GP on June 23, while being driven for the first time by Ernesto 'Tino' Brambilla.

Chris Amon retired the car at Tulln-Langenlebarn aerodrome circuit on July 14, but at Zandvoort, Holland, on July 28 'Tino' Brambilla drove '0008' home into third place in Heat One, also setting fastest race lap. Brambilla then finished third overall and on the podium in the Mediterranean GP at Enna in Sicily on August 28.

This chassis was then prepared with full 2.4-litre Tasman Formula V6 engine and despatched once more to New Zealand for the start of the 1969 Tasman Championship. For that year's tour 'down-under', Chris Amon was running a two-car Ferrari Dino Tasman team for himself and Englishman Derek Bell in the two works cars '0008' and '0010'. Chris Amon's Tasman Championship results during that tour at the wheel of '0008' offered here were as follows:

1969 New Zealand Grand Prix, Pukekohe – Amon – FIRST and pole position
1969 Levin International – Amon – FIRST
1969 Lady Wigram Trophy, Christchurch – Amon – 3rd and equal fastest lap
1969 Teretonga Trophy, Invercargill – Amon – 3rd
1969 Australian Grand Prix, Lakeside, Brisbane – Amon – FIRST and pole position.
1969 Warwick Farm '100', Sydney – Amon – Retired
1969 Sandown Park, Melbourne – Amon – FIRST and fastest lap

Chris Amon – Ferrari's charismatic but normally so unlucky New Zealand team leader – behind the small-diameter steering wheel of this gorgeous Ferrari Dino 246T, emerged as 1969 Tasman Champion.

With backing from Shell Oil, New Zealand national driver Graeme Lawrence was then enabled to buy '0008' from Ferrari. He made his racing debut in this car on December 28, 1969, in the Bay Park International at Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, finishing second. The car's subsequent racing record then developed as follows:

1970 Levin International – Lawrence – FIRST
1970 New Zealand GP, Pukekohe – Lawrence – 3rd
1970 Lady Wigram Trophy, Christchurch – Lawrence – DNF
1970 Teretonga Trophy, Invercargill – Lawrence – 4th
1970 Surfer's Paradise, Queensland – Lawrence – 3rd
1970 Warwick Farm '100', Sydney – Lawrence – 3rd
1970 Sandown Park, Melbourne – Lawrence – 2nd
1970 Singapore GP – Lawrence – FIRST
1970 Batu Tiga, Malaysia – Lawrence – FIRST
1970 Japanese GP, Mt Fuji – Lawrence – 4th
1971 Levin International – Lawrence – accident
1971 Lady Wigram Trophy, Christchurch – Lawrence – 3rd

His excellent results in this Shell-backed Ferrari 246T clinched the 1970 Tasman Championship title for Graeme Lawrence and launched him into a truly International motor racing career.

This extremely successful – and undeniably extremely beautiful – double-Championship-winning Ferrari Dino 246T was later acquired, via Edwin K. Niles of Los Angeles, by the great French Ferrari connoisseur Pierre Bardinon. It was preserved within his private collection at Mas du Clos, before being acquired around 1980 by Fabrizio Violati. It has survived in highly original condition, and today – though well maintained by museum standards – it exhibits the most attractive patina.

As such it is one of that progressively vanishing group of historic racing cars in which one can sense the touch of our past motor racing greats. The car will obviously require full technical inspection and expert recommissioning before it could be run, but its connoisseurial attraction to contemplative collectors – in addition to today's Vintage racer/user fraternity – is self-evident.

Just study '0008's exquisitely proportioned fuselage nacelle, with its pop-in upholstered 'hammock' seat. Consider using that miniature gearshift – so like the bolt on a sniper rifle. Here is an absolutely mouth-watering, race-winning Champion Ferrari monoposto whose name commemorates the memory of Mr Ferrari's own son...We recommend the closest consideration.

Without reserve

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Property is Sold
Price $1,210,000 USD
Make: Ferrari
Model: DINO 166/246T FORMULA 2/TASMAN FORMULA
Year: 1968
New or Used: Used
Type: Car, Classic Vehicle / Collector Vehicle, Exotic Vehicle
Price Info Sold at auction for US$ 1,210,000 (£725,294) including buyers premium.
Exterior Color: Red

For Sale at Auction


Auction Sale? Yes
Type of Auction No Reserve Price
Auction Date 08/14/2014
Auction Time 5:00PM PDT
Location Quail Lodge in Carmel California
Name of Auction Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction

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Type of Sale Auction Company Sale

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Address 8000 Greens Valley Dr.
City Carmel
State CA
Postal Code 93923
Country USA

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