An ultra-rare Ferrari Dino will be offered at the upcoming Silverstone Auctions sale at at Race Retro at Stoneleigh Park on 23rd February.

The car is one of just 235 UK, right-hand drive Ferrari Dino 246GTs and one of just two or three finished in stunning Azzurro Dino blue paint. It is expected to fetch somewhere in the region of £240,000 to £280,000.

"This stunning E-Series Dino has to be one of the most original and unmolested 246GTs anywhere", said Guy Lees-Milne, general manager, Silverstone Auctions. "The Dino is a very popular model among Ferrari enthusiasts, and given that this example is one of so few finished in the stunning Azzurro Dino blue and has been Classiche awarded, it’s a perfect example for collectors."

The car was first delivered new in December 1971 with a Nero leather-trimmed interior and optional radio, nose bar and electric windows. It has since had just four registered owners and has an extensive service history with by Ferrari specialists. It also has just 51,786 on its odometer.

1972 Ferrari Dino 246GT

This Dino underwent a major overhaul in 1991, which included a full engine rebuilt and paint refresh. The work was photographed and documented in a leather-bound photo album containing 232 pictures, which is included in the sale.

Last year its brakes and suspension were overhauled along with a few other minor things, all at a cost of nearly £10,000. More recently it was also fitted with new seats, new carpets, and a dashboard and got an interior re-trim in the correct, factory-supplied, 'mouse hair'.

1972 Ferrari Dino 246GT

On 25th July 2016 it was issued with a 'Certificato di Autenticita' from Ferrari Classiche, which is presented in a beautiful bespoke red box with enamel badge. That too is included in the sale, along with an 80-page, bound owner's file, original Bill of Sale (£5,124.17), V5C, invoices, historic MOTs, and the original leather wallet with Operating Manuals, original Warranty Card, and wiring diagram. The boot of the car also contains the tool roll and jack, which is also finished in Azzurro Dino.

It was declared the 'Definitive Dino' by the Haynes National Motor Museum and exhibited there on account of its originality, rare colour and low ownership. It has also been featured in a number of classic car magazines and was the November 2012 cover car for Classic & Sports Car magazine and also featured in that publication's calendar. Autocar magazine also described it as "one of the one hundred most beautiful cars in pictures," and they weren't wrong.

Gallery: The 'Definitive Dino' is heading to auction