Toyota 2000GT vs Ferrari Dino 246 — The 1960s Exotic Compared
<p>The Toyota 2000GT and Ferrari Dino 246 GT were built within three years of each other, at opposite ends of the world, by companies with very different resources — and they are more similar than either's admirers typically acknowledge. Both are mid-front-engined coupes developed with racing DNA, hand-built in limited numbers, and powered by high-revving double-overhead-cam engines designed in collaboration with engine specialists outside the parent company. The Toyota used a Yamaha-developed inline-six; the Dino used a Fiat-developed V6. Both have appreciated dramatically. The question is which one deserves to be in your collection and at what price.</p>
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Ferrari Dino | Toyota 2000GT |
|---|---|---|
| Production years | 1969–1974 | 1967–1970 |
| Total units built | ~3,900 (all variants) | 337 |
| Engine | 2.4L DOHC V6 (Fiat-developed) | 2.0L DOHC inline-6 (Yamaha-developed) |
| Power | 195 hp @ 7,600 rpm | 150 hp @ 6,600 rpm |
| Layout | Mid-engine, rear-wheel drive | Front-engine, rear-wheel drive |
| 2026 value range | $250,000–$500,000 | $550,000–$1,100,000 |
The case for Ferrari Dino
The Ferrari Dino 246 GT is the more usable, more accessible, and arguably more satisfying daily driver of the two. The 2.4-litre V6 producing 195 hp may be modest by current standards, but the mid-engine layout, precise gearbox, and low curb weight of 2,380 lbs deliver a driving experience that is fully engaging at street speeds without requiring race-pace commitment. The Dino is also the Ferrari that introduced a generation of enthusiasts to the marque — it democratized Ferrari ownership in 1969 in a way nothing else in the range had — and that history has emotional weight. Parts support through Ferrari specialists is extensive. The Dino also offers three body styles (Berlinetta, GTS targa, Spyder) versus the 2000GT's single coupe.
The case for Toyota 2000GT
The Toyota 2000GT makes the stronger case for long-term investment on pure rarity. 337 total units versus approximately 3,900 Dino 246 GTs means the 2000GT is an order of magnitude scarcer. Every 2000GT is traceable through Toyota Motor Corporation records and the 2000GT Club of Japan registry — the provenance chain is more complete than for most Ferraris of the same era. The engineering is equally compelling: the Yamaha-built twin-cam with triple Mikuni carburetors is a more complex and arguably more interesting mechanical package than the Dino's V6. And the Pininfarina-adjacent styling — developed by Toyota's own designers with strong Italian influence — has aged as well as anything Ferrari produced in the same period. At $550,000–$1,100,000 for the Toyota versus $250,000–$500,000 for the Dino, the Toyota commands a premium, but the scarcity differential justifies the gap.
Verdict
If investment appreciation is your primary criterion, the Toyota 2000GT is the superior choice — the scarcity differential supports stronger long-term pricing. If driving engagement and day-to-day usability in a period-correct exotic matter more, the Dino 246 GT is the more practical companion. Both are exceptional cars that have earned their status through genuine engineering merit rather than marketing. A collection that contains both would contain the finest examples of Japanese and Italian sports car engineering from the same fertile period.