www.QV500.com - Ferrari Dino Part 4: 246 GT Series III / Tipo E & 246 GTS

 

When the Series III / Tipo E Dino was phased in around the middle of 1971, production had risen from three cars a week to three every day. Very little was actually changed, Series III cars just getting new gear ratios and a different fuel supply system. More significant was the arrival of a GTS version at the Geneva Salon in March 1972. It featured a removable targa roof panel that could be stowed behind the seats, the chassis being reinforced with extra bracing along the sides and front of the engine frame. There was also a sturdy roll hoop behind the occupants heads.
   
No rear three-quarter windows were to be found on the GTS, these being replaced by a bank of three vents carved out from each sail panel. Targa-topped Dino's were only made on the Series III platform and normally came fitted as standard with a selection of upgrades that were cost options on the Berlinetta. These included leather seats, air conditioning, electric windows and an electric antenna. Late in 1972, the 'Daytona' option was introduced allowing customers to specify the distinctive seats found in Ferrari's V12 of the same name. Earlier in the year, wider sand-cast Campagnolo magnesium alloy wheels and Group 4 wheelarch extensions had also become available. Commonly known as the ‘Flares’ and ‘Chairs’ options, precisely how many Series III Dino's were fitted with these very desirable upgrades is unknown. Production of both the GT and GTS came to an end in 1974, over 3700 Dino's having been delivered since the spring of 1968, 1431 of which were Series III GT's. This included 446 right-hand drive examples while 1274 GTS were built in just over two years, 254 of which were in right-hand drive.