- Grant purchased the automotive on the top of Led Zeppelin’s fame and used it for 3 years
- It’s a uncommon right-hand-drive UK mannequin with simply over 1,000 miles on the clock
- Seven-day on-line public sale ought to see it change arms for £275k to £350k
A basic Ferrari with a real ‘Rock and Roll’ background is ready to go beneath the digital hammer.
The 1973 Ferrari 246 Dino GTS was purchased new by Peter Grant, supervisor of the legendary rock group, Led Zeppelin.
This uncommon UK-delivered, right-hand-drive instance of the long-lasting Italian sports activities automotive shall be offered in a seven-day on-line public sale culminating on 29 February – and the expectation is that its rocking historical past ought to see it change arms for round £350,000.
Rock and Roll Ferrari: This uncommon 1973 Ferrari 246 Dino GTS was purchased new by Peter Grant, supervisor of the legendary rock group, Led Zeppelin
Pop Group Led Zeppelin with their supervisor Peter Grant (centre) at Heathrow airport in 1973
Car & Classic, which is internet hosting the sale, says it’s a ‘scarcely seen instance’, attributable to it being considered one of solely 235 right-hand drive variations offered to the UK market between the years 1972 to 1974.
With slightly over 1,000 miles on the clock, it is one of many least used Dinos in addition to one of the fascinating by way of provenance.
This particular variant was ordered via the revered Ferrari distributor within the UK, H.R. Owen, and delivered to its first proprietor, Mr Grant, in 1973.
The price UK-delivered, right-hand-drive Ferrari shall be offered in an internet public sale culminating on 29 February – and the expectation is that its rocking historical past ought to see it change arms for round £350k
This particular variant was ordered via the revered Ferrari distributor within the UK, H.R. Owen, and delivered to its first proprietor, Mr Grant, in 1973
Car & Classic, which is internet hosting the sale, says it’s a ‘scarcely seen instance’, attributable to it being considered one of solely 235 right-hand drive variations offered to the UK market between the years 1972 to 1974
Manager Peter Grant (left) with Led Zeppelin lead singer Robert Plant (centre) and bass guitarist John Paul Jones at Knebworth House
Coming to the UK from the Italian manufacturing facility optioned in a non-standard, non-metallic ‘Rosso Bordeaux’ color and brown leather-based VM846 (‘Marrone’) upholstery, considered one of solely 114 ordered on this color specification, Grant loved driving it for almost three years – a protracted tenure for many rockstar managers.
Known to be the ‘driving force’ of the band, being the supervisor of Led Zeppelin from creation via to breakup, Grant was one of some custodians of this iconic Ferrari 246 Dino GTS together with businessmen, music followers and Ferrari collectors alike.
This explicit instance of Italian craftsmanship has been pampered all through its life by numerous Ferrari specialists.
The care bestowed upon it’s evident in its meticulous upkeep data, which present it has had the suspension and brakes rebuilt, a high-torque starter motor put in, and a brand new header tank and radiator, to call just a few upgrades.
Qualifying as MOT-exempt, freed from automotive tax (or VED) and escaping metropolis clear air zone day by day prices resembling London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone due to it is 40-year-plus age, the work undertaken on the automotive throughout its present possession has ensured its easy working over the previous few years.
Car & Classic says it’s ‘mechanically unique in most respects’ and subsequently affords ‘an genuine driving expertise’.
The Dino retains its iconic Ferrari hue – a non-metallic deep crimson color – with period-correct Cromodora alloy wheels and retaining its unique instrumentation and controls
Known to be the ‘driving force’ of the band, being the supervisor of Led Zeppelin from creation via to breakup, Grant (pictured far proper) was one of some custodians of this iconic Ferrari 246 Dino GTS together with businessmen, music followers and Ferrari collectors alike
This is considered one of simply 114 examples of the Dino GTS ordered with non-metallic ‘Rosso Bordeaux’ paint and brown leather-based upholstery
Grant loved driving the Ferrari for almost three years – a protracted tenure for many rockstar managers
‘It’s not only a automotive; it’s a chunk of rock historical past, a improbable piece of Led Zeppelin memorabilia, and a stunning instance of a collectable 246 Dino GTS,’ says Car & Classic, which is auctioning the motorcar later this week
This explicit instance of Italian craftsmanship has been pampered all through its life by numerous Ferrari specialists. It is in meticulous situation, each in and out
Commenting on the automotive’s public sale availability, head of editorial on the car public sale website, Dale Vinten, stated: ‘With many members of Led Zeppelin recognized to take pleasure in their fair proportion of supercars, together with many Ferraris, this Dino previously owned by Peter Grant is a cherished, usable instance with a confirmed historical past.
‘It’s not only a automotive; it’s a chunk of rock historical past, a improbable piece of Led Zeppelin memorabilia, and a stunning instance of a collectable 246 Dino GTS – it’s one thing that everybody can hopefully admire carries vital significance.’
Today, it retains its iconic Ferrari hue – a non-metallic deep crimson color – with period-correct Cromodora alloy wheels and retaining its unique instrumentation and controls.
Presented in a extremely usable and well-maintained situation each in and out, the matching numbers instance shows an indicated 1,007 miles.
This means its 2.4-litre V6 engine – which produced 195hp again in 1973 – is barely run in.
Led Zeppelin with their supervisor Peter Grant and a member of the band’s crew, at Nanzenji-Temple, Kyoto, Japan, twenty fifth September 1971. Pictured left to proper: Peter Grant, John Paul Jones, Robert Plant, John Bonham, a member of the bands crew, Jimmy Page
Presented in a extremely usable and well-maintained situation each in and out, this matching numbers instance shows an indicated 1,007 miles. This means its 2.4-litre V6 engine – which produced 195hp again in 1973 – is barely run in
The sale features a fastidiously curated historical past file, together with unique correspondence with the Ferrari manufacturing facility in Maranello and the gross sales receipt (pictured)
Also included within the sale is a duplicate of the primary log e-book with Peter Grant’s title clear to see
The sale features a fastidiously curated historical past file, together with unique correspondence with the Ferrari manufacturing facility in Maranello, the sale receipt, plus the primary logbook bearing Peter Grant’s title.
Having undergone skilled retrimming and repainting at totally different intervals all through its lifetime, the ex-Peter Grant Ferrari Dino 246 GTS retains a lot of its previous modifications.
This consists of the 1988 fitment of crimson carpets, for instance, with the seller contemplating these nuanced particulars integral to the automotive’s wealthy and fascinating narrative.
‘Potential consumers shall be seeking to buy not only a automotive, however an funding in a meticulously crafted piece of automotive and rock ‘n’ roll historical past that encapsulates the spirit of the Seventies,’ Car & Classic instructed us.
The automotive has beforehand appeared in lots of publications over time, together with ‘Ferrari Dino’ by Anthony Curtis and ‘Ferrari – The Ultimate Dream Machine’ by Paul W. Cockerham.
Yet it is Grant’s possession and a connection to the period of rock extra and creative achievement that arguably makes it a Ferrari fanatic’s dream.
Grant tragically died on 21 November 1995 on the tender age of 60 having suffered a coronary heart assault whereas driving to his residence at Eastbourne together with his son Warren.
The public sale begins on Thursday 22 February and closes every week in a while 29 February.
Given that it’s anticipated to obtain a ‘Whole Lotta Love’ from collectors, Car & Classic estimates that it’s going to promote for between £275,000 and £350,000.