[1][2] Major racing accolades include the 1962 European Hill Climb Championship, two overall Targa Florio victories, in 1961 and 1962, and "1962 Coupe des Sports" title.

Development work proceeded through 1960 and early 1961, with the 246 SP completed in time for the 13 February 1961 press conference where it was introduced to the public.

[2] The model proved its capabilities at the 1961 Targa Florio, which Wolfgang von Trips and Olivier Gendebien had won outright.

This resulted in the adoption of several new, innovative features, including a very low bonnet, high rear bodywork flush with the windscreen top and a vertical tail fin.

[6][2] This front end styling had first appeared on a trio of Maserati 250Fs that Fantuzzi re-bodied in 1958 for racer Ross Jensen and team owner Temple Buell[2][11][12] (son of the architect with the same name).

Fantuzzi's suggestion that the twin intakes would improve air penetration was confirmed by Chiti's wind tunnel testing, leading to the adoption of this style throughout Ferrari's 1961 racing cars.

[2] During the course of early testing by Wolfgang von Trips and Ritchie Ginther, Ferrari engineers discovered that the aerodynamics of the body caused instability at high speeds.

The issue was solved by the removal of the vertical fin seen at the car's introduction and the addition of a 5 inches (13 cm) tall rear spoiler, suggested by Ginther based on his wartime experience with aircraft.

[12][2] For the 1962 racing season, Ferrari introduced a slightly changed body style for all Dino SP cars, including the two 246 SPs which were re-bodied.

All windscreens and rear bodywork were lowered in response to an FIA regulation change, improving aerodynamics and driver visibility.

[2] Numerous other body modifications were performed during the course of the 246 SP's competition career, including many changes in intake/vent configuration to optimize air flow to the engine, brakes and driver.

Windshield heights were also changed and side windows modified and/or removed, in order to improve visibility and cockpit temperatures.

The engine was fed by three Weber 42DCN carburettors and used two 14mm Marchal spark plugs per cylinder with two coils and Magnetti Marelli distributors.

Two engine short blocks were manufactured for each 246 SP chassis, with a single set of cylinder heads swapped between them as needed.

Durability was prioritized over weight savings during chassis design and construction, as Ferrari engineers attempted to ensure reliability during harsh endurance races.

Although the car performed well, comfortably leading the field 3 hours into the race, it did not finish due to von Trips breaking a steering arm after jumping a curb and going off-track.

They managed to set the fastest lap in practice but retired when the car ran out of fuel on the Mulsanne straight due to a miscalculation.

Later the same year, another broken steering component during practice prevented Richie Ginther and Giancarlo Baghetti from completing the 4 Hours of Pescara.

In August, Mike Parkes won the Guards Trophy at the Brands Hatch, driving 0790 against Innes Ireland's Lotus 19.

[2][8][20][21][22][23] Thanks to the 196 SP and driver Ludovico Scarfiotti, Ferrari claimed the 1962 European Hill Climb Championship in the Sports Cars class.

Scarfiotti won five of the six hillclimb races the team entered between June and August, against competition including Porsche drivers Heini Walter and Jan Greger.

In 1963, the car was entered by Scuderia Ferrari in the Targa Florio, driven by Lorenzo Bandini, Ludovico Scarfiotti and Willy Mairesse.

At the 1963 Bahamas Speed Week, Bob Grossman drove the 196 SP to a class win in Sport 2.0 category in the 25 Lap Governor's Trophy, being seventh overall.

A compression ratio of 9.5:1 combined with three Weber 42DCN carburettors helped produce a power output of 260 PS (191 kW; 256 hp) at 6800 rpm.

The s/n 0798, was demonstrated at the start of season press conference by Ferrari in February and before April, not being involved in any racing, the engine was modified with a longer stroke to a 2.6-litre specification.

The cylinder bore was unchanged from the 248 SP engine, with the increased capacity derived from a 2.5 mm longer crankshaft throw.

[29][2] Subsequently, 0798 was bought back by Luigi Chinetti and sold again, racing in SCCA events through the 1960s until it was purchased by Ferrari collector Pierre Bardinon.

0798 is the only extant 268 SP and retains its original 2.6 L engine, although it underwent numerous bodywork modifications during its racing career that were reversed during a restoration by Bardinon.

During a practice at the 1962 Targa Florio with Phil Hill driving, 0802 suffered a major accident due to a stuck throttle.

Phil Hill was sidelined and co-driver Olivier Gendebien was reassigned as a third driver for the 246 SP chassis 0796, the eventual winner of the race.