UPDATE: 29 February, SOLD for £300,000
Led Zeppelin manager’s Ferrari 246 Dino GTS as it heads to auction
- A piece of rock ‘n’ roll history is heading to auction via Car & Classic as it confirms a Ferrari 246 Dino GTS once owned by Led Zeppelin manager Peter Grant is going live this week
- Ordered from new by Peter Grant, this 1973 Ferrari 246 Dino GTS is rare in its own right, being one of only 235 right-hand drive versions sold in the UK market between 1972 and 1974
- Known as the catalyst of Led Zeppelin’s growth, taking them to record-breaking highs during the band’s three-decade success, Peter Grant bought this special Dino and owned it for three years
- Offered for auction with Peter Grant’s original logbook and photos, the car is accompanied by a carefully curated history file, including original correspondence with the Ferrari factory
- Showing an indicated 1,007 miles and with an expansive history and maintenance folder, this cherished Dino is open for pre-bids on Car & Classic’s online auction site here: (carandclassic.com)
- The auction will run from 22 February to 29 February and is expected to reach between £275,000 and £350,000, with the buyer paying 0 per cent fees at the end of the sale
Rocking its way to Car & Classic’s online auction is a rare, UK-delivered, right-hand drive 1973 Ferrari 246 Dino GTS ordered from new by Peter Grant, the manager of the legendary rock group Led Zeppelin.
A scarcely seen example of a Ferrari 246 Dino GTS in its own right, due to it being one of only 235 right-hand drive versions sold to the UK market during the period (1972 to 1974), this special variant was ordered through the revered Ferrari distributor in the UK, H.R. Owen, and delivered to its first owner, Peter Grant, manager of the rock group Led Zeppelin, in 1973. Coming to the UK from the Italian factory optioned in a non-standard, non-metallic ‘Rosso Bordeaux’ colour and brown leather VM846 (‘Marrone’) upholstery, one of only 114 ordered in this colour specification, Grant enjoyed driving it for nearly three years – a long tenure for most rockstar managers.
Known to be the ‘driving force’ of the band, being the manager of Led Zeppelin from creation through to breakup, Peter Grant was one of a few custodians of this iconic Ferrari 246 Dino GTS including businessmen, music fans and Ferrari collectors alike. This particular example of Italian craftsmanship has been pampered throughout its life by various Ferrari specialists. The care bestowed upon it is evident in its meticulous maintenance including records reflecting rebuilt suspension and brakes, the installation of a high torque starter motor, and the addition of a new header tank complementing the overhauled radiator, to name a few. Now qualifying as MOT-exempt in the UK due to its classic status, the work undertaken on the car during its current ownership has ensured its smooth running over the past few years, mechanically original in most respects and therefore offering an authentic driving experience.
Responsible for the upcoming auction of the historically important 1973 Ferrari 246 Dino GTS is Car & Classic, Europe’s largest online marketplace for classic and niche vehicles. Discussing the ex-Peter Grant Ferrari, Car & Classic head of editorial Dale Vinten said: “With many members of Led Zeppelin known to enjoy their fair share of supercars, including many Ferraris, this [Ferrari] Dino [GTS] formerly owned by Peter Grant is a cherished, usable example with a proven history. It’s not just a car; it’s a piece of rock history, a fantastic piece of Led Zeppelin memorabilia, and a lovely example of a collectable 246 Dino GTS – it’s something that everyone can hopefully appreciate carries significant importance.”
This example comes to auction via Car & Classic still finished in an iconic Ferrari hue, a non-metallic deep red colour, with period-correct Cromodora alloy wheels and retaining its original, period-correct instrumentation and controls. Presented in a highly usable and well-maintained condition both inside and out, this matching numbers example displays an indicated 1,007 miles and is accompanied by a carefully curated history file, including original correspondence with the Ferrari factory in Maranello, plus even the first logbook bearing Peter Grant’s name. Having undergone professional retrimming and repainting at different intervals throughout its lifetime, the ex-Peter Grant Ferrari Dino 246 GTS retains much of its past modifications – such as the 1988 fitment of red carpets, for example, with the vendor considering these nuanced details integral to the car’s rich and interesting narrative.
As it enters the Car & Classic auction, potential buyers will be looking to purchase not just a car, but an investment in a meticulously crafted piece of automotive and rock ‘n’ roll history that encapsulates the spirit of the 1970s. Having also appeared in many publications over the years, including ‘Ferrari Dino’ by Anthony Curtis and ‘Ferrari – The Ultimate Dream Machine’ by Paul W. Cockerham, this particular 1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS has an added layer of historical significance to an already iconic vehicle, with Grant’s ownership connecting the car to the era of rock excess and artistic achievement, making it a symbol of the cultural landscape of the time.
The auction will begin on 22 February and run until 29 February. Car & Classic estimates that it will sell for between £275,000 – £350,000 and invites all interested parties to register their pre-bids via the auction
Launched in 2005, Car & Classic is Europe’s number one classic and niche vehicle website* with circa 4m monthly visitors. With over 30,000 cars listed at any one point through the private and trade enthusiast sales portal, Car & Classic also runs a stand-alone auction site, which was launched in July 2020.
The auction platform itself has recently become the largest of its kind in the UK and is rapidly expanding into Europe. Car & Classic’s buyers and sellers benefit from transparent, journalist-written auction descriptions, 0 per cent buyer’s fees and the only auction in Europe to offer secure payments via Escrow to take the risk and pain away from vehicle transactions.