A 1973 Ferrari 246 Dino From The Manager Of Rock Legends Led Zeppelin Sold At Auction
Something of a piece of rock and roll history went for sale with the auction of Led Zeppelin manager Peter Grant’s old Ferrari 246 Dino GTS.
Owned from new, the 1973 Dino is a rare example, being one of only 235 right hand drive examples ever sold in the UK between 1972 and 1974. The GTS was a special order through Ferrari distributor H.R. Owen and delivered new to Grant. The non standard metallic Rosso Bordeaux colour and VM856 Marrone, brown leather was one of just 114 cars ordered in that combination.
The car remained in Grant’s ownership for nearly three years and the car has the original Peter Grant logbook, a large history file, maintenance records and the original correspondence with the Ferrari Factory. Even though the car has passed through many different owners, and was enjoyed for nearly three years by Grant, it is showing just 1007 recorded miles.
Peter Grant was considered to be the driving force behind Led Zeppelin and was there from their creation right the way through to their breakup.
The Dino has seen a great deal of attention in its lifetime, having had the suspension and brakes rebuilt a high torque starter motor fitted and a new header tank to go with the overhauled radiator.
The car wears period correct Cromodora alloy wheels and has kept its original period correct instruments and controls. Of course, there are matching numbers for the engine and chassis. The Dino has been retrimmed and repainted in the past, but still retains the modifications fitted by Grant. The red carpets fitted in 1988, the seller considered these details to be an integral part of the car’s history.
The car has also been the feature of many different articles and books, including Ferrari Dino’ by Anthony Curtis and ‘Ferrari – The Ultimate Dream Machine’ by Paul W. Cockerham.
The car went up for sale with Car and Classic auctions with a guide price of £275,000 to £350,000 GBP, the sale bringing in a decent total of £300,000 with 20 bids.
These are really nice, but really quite expensive. This ultra low mileage one is perhaps not quite repeatable, and especially with the rock legends connection. Could this be a great investment? As time moves on will people value the Led Zepplin connection, or will this one remain one of the best due to the condition, history and low mileage? It’s unlikely to ever be used again, not much at least.
Now find me one for £60k to drive and I’ll start donating organs.
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