New Member, New Dino (#01464)

After seven years of lurking I figure its time to come out and play. Yesterday I ticked the big one off the bucket list and bought a 1971 Dino 246 GT, the car I dreamed about since I was a kid. Yellow on black, early GT Euro, Canadian delivery car that has spent all of its life in the Toronto area. Nice solid car to start piling the miles onto.

Although I am new to fchat,and forums in general, I hope to become an active participant sharing whatever knowledge I can. In the early going, though, as I get to know the car I will likely be on here frequently asking questions so any help provided is appreciated in advance. I would encourage any members, especially those in the Toronto area, to contact me at at any time so that we can talk Dinos and compare notes

I also would like to take this opportunity to thank two fchatters publicly. The first, who sold me the car, could have sold for more but let me have it because he believed it would be better appreciated in my hands. His kindness made it possible for me to realize the dream. The other is omgjohn who requires no introduction on this forum. During a trip I took to SoCal in April he spent an entire afternoon showing me around both his cars, answering all of my questions and encouraging me to take the leap. He is a class act and an example of the best that the car hobby has to offer. Thanks Jon.

That’s it for now. Will post pics as soon as I can since, as I have learned in years of lurking, these posts are worthless without them.

Paul

 

Paul,

First, congratulations!

Second, How Exciting!

Welcome to the board... as a long-time lurker, you know how valuable this site is to owners and enthusiasts...

Personally, I'm looking forward to photos!

Mike

 

Years of lurking were spent dreaming of the Dino and helping me with my 308. Now it is time to return the favor as Paul (my brother) and I will restore the car with the aim of scoring platinum in a future Ferrari concours. Right now We only own the domain but hope to follow in OMGJON's footsteps with dino246.com. For now a few pictures of the first drive...
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Very, very nice...!

Thanks!

Mike

 

I'm so glad you took the plunge. Great looking car and you look pretty happy also. Have fun and can't wait to here more all about it and your plans!

 

Congratulations! I know you have been looking for a long time - it seems to have paid off!

See you at the next event!

 

That is just an absolutely sweet ride!!!! Good luck and enjoy!!

 

Yellow is a great color...so is the reg.
congrats

 

congrats from #1582, same vintage and euro also.Mine is just going back to gether. The excitement builds, enjoy

clay

 

Woodbridge was a little more interesting on thursday and now should be for weeks to come.

Dont forget to celebrate with some ice cream........

Congrats Paul;

Gary
Espada
8394

 

Car looked great Paul & looking forward to seeing it in the daylight.

& you know I'm partial to yellow.

Congrats

 

well done, looking forward to your restauration report om www.dino246.com
regards Matthias

 

Congratulations on a beautiful Dino, and carrying a very appropriate license plate! Fred

 

What a beautiful Dino. AND your vent window catches actually work!

 

Just got back from a (another) drive in the Dino so I am a bit deaf, sweaty, smell like gasoline fumes, and am grinning like an idiot.

Thanks to those who posted for the kind words and thanks also to Matthias who verified the serial #'s over the phone for me on the day of purchase. You probably know more about these cars than the people who built them.

The car is a really nice '10 footer' which I gradually want to turn into a nice '1 incher'. For now, though its condition is exactly what I want. I plan to enjoy it and drive it so much that the Toronto fchatters will be sick of seeing it on the road

Speaking of sick, omgjon, my family and friends are sick of me wearing the Dino T-shirts you gave me (in the photos I'm wearing one) all the time. The shirts are wearing out but I have planned ahead and have saved one almost unused for more formal occasions like weddings and baptisms.

As for the license plate, Rob and I owned a yellow Alfa Spider almost 15 years ago when we were in University and had this plate on it. Never thought it would be coming out of retirement for this.

Best Regards,
Paul

 

When you get a chance, could you take some pictures of your seat belts? I need to replace mine and your car is similar to mine (early Euro GT and even same color combo). If you can, please include top shelf mount point and both floor mount points. It's really difficult to find something that I think might work and since my car doesn't have anything like what's supposed to be in it, I need a reference point.

Thanks so much and congrats to your new (expensive) toy!

 

Congratulations!

Thanks for posting the photos,
I believe I snapped the three of you at Bella Italia this year
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I'll shoot some and send them. The belts are very original and in excellent condition with all the correct end caps in undamaged condition. These are fixed units with no retracting mechanism. They will be removed and restored for shows but for regular driving they will be replaced with modern retracting units. Still not sure which ones to get so there will be some research to be done here.

Synchro thanks for the pic. Yes that is Paul and I with a certain Fchat legend.

 

Judges, tell me if I'm wrong, but I believe you cannot lose points for upgraded seatbelts when the original style is NLA.

 

That is my understanding too, but I've seen some installations that are pretty aesthetically unappealing. One that comes to mind is a retractible unit with the reel perched at the shoulder belt mount point. My goal is to find something that is as close to original looking as possible w/o sacrificing functionality and safety.

 

What an awesome car. Congrats!!!

 

Here's the new car at Mosport. The black one beside it has been mine for 26 years!

I hope you enjoy yours just as long!
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After joking about it yesterday it actually happened. A pair of construction workers looked at the Dino and asked:

'Is that a Vette?'

Paul just said it was 'an old Fiat' and they promptly lost interest.

 

Congrats Paul hopefully I helped inspire the dream....

Morry