According to research conducted by a previous owner, this beautifully restored example of Ferrari’s popular Dino 246 GT was completed in April 1972, finished in Blu Dino Metallizzato (Metallic Blue) paint and trimmed with an interior of beige leather. Specified for the US, equipped with instruments in miles, chassis 03656 was exported to Chinetti-Garthwaite Imports Inc. in Pennsylvania. In August 1974, the Ferrari was sold to its first private owner, Emile Belhumeur of North Smithfield, Rhode Island. Entries in the Dino’s original warranty booklet note that Autohaus Inc. of Cohasset, Massachusetts, serviced the car twice during the 1970s. Sometime after the second service, the 246 GT was sold to Iggy Moore of New York City. In June 2004, the Ferrari was purchased from Mr. Moore by Peter Kolsky, a vice president of design at Nike’s worldwide headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon. Mr. Kolsky entrusted the respected dealership Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo to service the Dino as needed during his ownership.

In May 2010, Mark Nerheim, a Ferrari enthusiast based in Washington State, acquired the 246 GT and exhibited it at the 2010 Concorso Italiano and at an FCA Pacific Region Concours. Mr. Nerheim then decided to conduct a show-quality restoration, retaining Carlo Durante (a respected former Formula 1 mechanic known for his restoration work) and Denny Markopoulos (a Ferrari specialist) to evaluate the car. The engine and transmission were then rebuilt by Durante, and numerous ancillary parts received specialized machine work by John Maloney and Mike Soldano.

The marque experts at Rillos Restoration were entrusted to restore the body and frame, including a bare-metal repaint in the original factory color of Blu Dino Metallizzato. Dennison International Motorsports LLC assisted in precise paint matching and specialized screen printing for certain components, while the electrical systems and wiring harness were refreshed by Ted Slatten. Art Brass Plating Inc. redid the brightwork, Seattle Speedometer reconditioned the instruments, and Massimo’s Upholstery trimmed the interior with correct leather sourced from HVL in the Netherlands.

In 2018, the stunning restoration was recognized with a Platinum Award at Concorso Italiano in Monterey, and a First in Class at the FCA Northwest Region Annual Concours d’Elegance in Washington. This striking Dino was then purchased by its next caretaker in 2019, and housed in a prominent Southern California collection. The Dino benefited from limited use and an extensive service by GTO Engineering before being acquired by the current owner. Presently, 03656 has been enjoyed on weekend drives and multiple Central California tours, serviced as needed, and has had the steering box refreshed.

Displaying 52,187 miles at the time of cataloguing, this beautifully restored Dino 246 GT is a truly outstanding example that should attract the fancy of any discerning Ferrari enthusiast.