1971 Ferrari Dino 246 GT – the ex-Rob Walker / Earls Court Motor Show Car

• The 1971 Earls Court Motor Show car as displayed by Maranello Concessionaires Ltd.
• Supplied to Formula One entrant & bon vivant, Rob Walker Esq.
• Matching numbers example & certified with Ferrari Classiche documentation (‘red book’)
• Presented in original colours of Bianco Polo Park paintwork with Blue interior
• Available following extensive service work by Ferrari specialists, Barkaways Ltd.

Ferrari factory records confirm that this Dino 246 GT was manufactured in 1971 and delivered to UK Ferrari importers, Maranello Concessionaires Ltd in time for the Earls Court Motor Show held in the winter of ‘71. Supplied through Ferrari dealer Dick Lovett, Swindon to Mr Robert ‘Rob’ Walker – lifelong motor racing enthusiast and privateer Formula One entrant, once described by the late Sir Stirling Moss as; ‘The last gentleman of motor racing.’

A letter from Ferrari held in the history file refers to a warranty claim by Walker for a new flywheel following teeth that had broken off! Dick Lovett, Swindon had supplied the Dino to Walker with the option of ‘Headlight covers’ and there is a wonderful photograph of the Dino amongst Walker’s fleet of cars sporting these covered headlights outside his home in Nunnery, Somerset.

Following Walker’s ownership, the Ferrari road registered ‘WHR 76K’, passed into the hands of a Mr Donald Lock of King’s Lynn, Norfolk. Lock would own the 246 GT for over thirty years before selling to Chris Shaw also from King’s Lynn. It would be in Shaw’s ownership that the Dino would enter a complete bare metal restoration with the following areas attended too;

- bare metal re-paint in Bianco Polo Park
- suspension stripped & re-plated/powder coated
- new bushes, springs & shock absorbers
- a complete overhaul of the braking system including reconditioned brake calipers, new master cylinder & new brake pipes
- fuel tanks reconditioned
- a complete engine rebuild with new pistons, main & big end bearings, heads crack detected, pressure tested & bead blasted
- gearbox & differential both rebuilt with new bearings & seals with the casing soda blasted.
- carburettors completely reconditioned
- new windscreen, tyres & bumpers fitted

In 2011, ‘WHR 76K’ was acquired by Robert Barnard from the neighbouring county of Suffolk who had various work carried out to the cooling system and dash controls. Three years later, the Ferrari was purchased by a Mr Trevor Rolls of Berkshire who would return the 246 GT to original supplying dealer, Dick Lovett for servicing and numerous items to be attended to in his ownership.

The current owner bought ‘WHR 76K’ in 2016 and immediately sent the Dino to respected Ferrari specialists, Barkaways to be appraised. Barkaways who are known for their concours winning Ferrari restorations identified a number of imperfections to the Dino and drew up a worklist for the new owner to consider. Over the next six months Barkaways improved a host of areas on the Dino as evidenced by their invoicing and the results speak for themselves – a wonderful looking and period correct 246 GT that drives like it should do.

Henderson Fellowes is delighted to offer this concours condition Dino on behalf of its owner and can confirm the Ferrari is supplied with a tool roll, spare wheel, jack and good history file. The Ferrari Classiche documentation confirms that the Dino is a matching numbers example. Please note that the Dino has just returned from a recent service and tune at Barkaways prior to sale.

Photo Credit: Tim Scott