Cannonball legend: Record-breaking Ferrari Dino heads to auction after 50 years

A 1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS, the car that won the infamous 1975 Cannonball Run, will be offered by Mecum Auctions during Monterey Car Week in August. The classic sports car, still in its original, unrestored condition, completed the illegal coast-to-coast race from New York to Los Angeles in just 35 hours and 53 minutes, beating the previous record by one minute.

Piloted by Jack May and Rick Cline, the Bianco white Dino roared across the country in what became a legendary feat of endurance, rebellion, and performance. The event would later inspire Hollywood films starring Burt Reynolds and Roger Moore, but this car’s real-life accomplishment is what cemented its status in automotive history.

The Dino 246 GTS is no ordinary Ferrari. While the model was launched under the Dino brand, Ferrari’s tribute to Enzo Ferrari’s late son, it has long been embraced as part of the Prancing Horse family. With its 2.4-liter V6 engine pushing just under 200 horsepower and a removable targa roof, the GTS variant became a favorite among celebrities like Cher, Keith Richards, and Bob Seger.

This particular example, finished in white with a striking red Rosso leather interior, is being sold by the May family. It remains in what Mecum describes as “highly original unrestored condition,” making it a rarity among collectors. Comparable Dino models have fetched over $500,000 in recent years, and none come with this kind of outlaw legacy.

As interest in vintage Ferraris and motorsport history continues to soar, experts expect this Dino to draw intense bidding, not just for its beauty but also for the story it tells.

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