Bonhams is delighted to announce a rare and desirable 1966 Ferrari Dino 206S/SP Sports Prototype, with a successful racing history, as a headline lot in its forthcoming Grand Palais Sale in Paris on Thursday 6 February.
One of only 18 produced – and so one of the rarest ‘customer’ Ferraris – this lightweight Dino, which was rebodied into its current ‘Montagna’ form in 1969, will be presented in Bonhams’ first major European car auction of the year. It is offered direct from the renowned private collection of Jacques Setton, French businessman (formerly CEO of the Pioneer Fuji Group) and respected car connoisseur, who has owned the car since 1984. Estimate is on request.
This Rosso Corsa (racing red) example of the svelte and agile Ferrari-built sports prototype has the matching original engine and chassis numbers 022. Its provenance includes ownership by two other important French Ferrari collectors – Jess G Pourret and, from 1976, Pierre Bardinon, an heir to the Chapal leather and fur dynasty, whose personal Ferrari collection was renowned for comprising the ‘best of the best.’
This fascinating Dino’s early racing career includes success in both Italian national hill-climb competitions and at FIA World Championship level. Its first owner was Sicilian racing driver Clemente Ravetto, who drove 022 in the major Monza 1,000Kms before setting second fastest time in his native island’s Monte Pellegrino hill climb.
The Dino 206 S was originally designated to compete in the 1966 2-litre Group 4 sportscar category, powered by a 2-litre development of the 65-degree V6 engine conceived 10 years earlier for Enzo Ferrari, in tribute to his beloved son Dino who died in 1956 at the age of just 24. The power unit was co-engineered by famed former Alfa Romeo and Lancia designer Vittorio Jano.
In its original 1966 aerodynamic body shell – hand-crafted by Piero Drogo’s Modena-based Carrozzeria Sports Cars company – the Dino 206 S was much admired for its close resemblance to the graceful rocket-ship-like V12-engined Ferrari 330P3 endurance racing car.
022’s second owner after Ravetto was prominent fellow Sicilian driver Pietro Lo Piccolo. In a three-year campaign with his car, Lo Piccolo accumulated considerable hill-climb success at such challenging venues as Cefalu-Gibilmanna and Val d’Anapo-Sortino.
In 1969, following the fitting of a new custom-made Ferrari 212 E-style ‘Montagna’ lightweight body, Lo Piccolo won six important National events. In 1970, 022 tackled its most important race – the renowned Targo Florio road race – finishing second in the 2-litre Prototype class, before subsequently winning the Coppa Faro plus three further hill climbs.
Malcolm Barber, co-chairman of Bonhams, said: “This car represents an important milestone in the development of the celebrated Dino. Bonhams is delighted to have been entrusted by Mr Setton with offering this desirable and significant motor car at the ninth edition of our Grand Palais Sale.”
The Dino 206 S/SP 022 will be available to view on preview day 5 February from 9am to 5pm and from 9am on sale day, Thursday 6 February.
