Made me wonder what the make up of Dino owners is. Mostly Collectors who have them serviced so cost is not a factor? Owner drivers who do their own maintenance and costs are a factor? What's the breakdown?
All of the above. I fix the little stuff, let the mechanic do the tough stuff. I do electrical fixes, he does all the mechanical stuff. I do the detailing, keep the interior up, etc. I have neither the skills nor the inclination to do major work, but I do lots of small stuff when major work is going on. I can't build an engine, but I sure can scrounge around for all the parts. I'd rather do it than pay someone else $90-100/hr to do that for me. So, I'm a little of all of the above. I know a couple other Dino owners, one does all his own work, one does none at all. I suspect he even has someone wash the car for him. DM
My car isn't driven much so hasn't required much work. What I've done: Replace rear caliper and rotor (caliper was binding, overheated and warped bore) Detail engine compartment, including removing cam covers and checking clearances.. Mechanic came to my house to inspect cams for wear. Remove rear A-arms and take them to mechanic's for bushing replacement. Reinstall A-arms. Remove rear coil-overs, take them to mechanics for bushings replacement and powder coating of springs. Decide where I wanted the bottom black paint line to be and what shape in front and rear, mask it, paint it myself. Take out seats for leather replacement. Remove instrument panel, take out instruments, detail. Make new door panels, take to upholstery place for covering. Install new rear light trim rings. Oil, transaxle, brake, coolant fluid changes. Replace soft coolant hoses by engine. Probably some other stuff I've forgotten. Basically no engine or trans rebuilding---I don't have the knowledge, tools, or space.
helpless idiot who can't service them himself and cost is always a factor (saying that, shortcuts and rigging are not an option)
I am good at taking things apart - especially if there is some logic or pattern to it. I guess that is the residual talent of being an old DEC10 programmer before turning to law. But no real sense of serious mechanical workings and I stay away from anything more complex than basic remove and replace procedures / detailing / reconditioning or painting. I can do small tune up adjustments. I replaced all rubber and had new pieces made. I took off all chrome and had it all re-chromed and then re-installed it. Have taken doors apart and installed new cranks / cables and had replacement door windows cut and then re-installed it. I have removed the dash (now struggling to do so on a Porsche 928 after removing the pod to fix the odometer gear. Also do a lot of work on my 911 cab). I have removed trim and had it refinished / silk screened. I have taken apart wiper assembly and I have taken apart the interior rear view mirror and restored it. I have taken apart guages and cleaned them. I also do a lot of the leg work - no reason to pay cost plus. I also like reproducing vintage fobs.
