Description
The Ferrari 206 SP Dino was a rare and experimental sports racing prototype developed by Ferrari in the mid-1960s. Created in 1966, it was part of the Dino program, which honored Enzo Ferrari’s late son Alfredo “Dino” Ferrari, who had been an advocate for Ferrari’s use of V6 engines. The 206 SP was one of the earliest Ferrari prototypes to use a mid-mounted V6 engine, placing it at a pivotal point in Ferrari’s transition from front-engined sports racers to mid-engined machines that would dominate racing in the decades ahead.
At the heart of the 206 SP was a 2.0-liter V6 engine derived from Ferrari’s Dino program, producing around 218 horsepower at high revs. This engine was mounted longitudinally in the center of a lightweight tubular chassis, clothed in sleek and compact aluminum bodywork designed by Piero Drogo’s Carrozzeria Sports Cars. With a curb weight of just 580 kilograms, the 206 SP had an excellent power-to-weight ratio, making it agile and highly competitive in tight, twisting circuits. Its mid-engine layout also gave it superior balance and handling compared to Ferrari’s traditional front-engined sports cars.
The design of the 206 SP was striking, with smooth curves, a low nose, and an open cockpit in true barchetta style. It bore a resemblance to other Ferrari prototypes of the time, but its smaller proportions and V6 powerplant distinguished it from the larger V12-powered endurance racers like the 330 P3. The car’s compact body and mid-engine layout made it a technical experiment that would pave the way for later Dino road cars as well as Ferrari’s future prototype racers.
The 206 SP competed in sports car racing, particularly in hill climbs and smaller displacement prototype categories. While it was not produced in large numbers—fewer than 20 examples were built—it demonstrated Ferrari’s commitment to exploring the potential of the V6 engine in competition. It proved quick and competitive, though it lacked the sheer power of Ferrari’s larger prototypes. Nevertheless, the 206 SP was an important stepping stone, helping Ferrari refine its mid-engine engineering and race car development.
Today, the Ferrari 206 SP Dino is an extremely rare and highly valued collector’s car. Its role as a bridge between the Dino prototypes and later Ferrari road and racing cars gives it significant historical importance. Collectors prize it not only for its rarity and beauty but also for its role in shaping the direction of Ferrari’s racing philosophy in the 1960s. It remains a fascinating example of Ferrari’s experimental spirit during one of the most exciting periods in sports car racing history.