1972 Dino 246GT, s/n *03978*

Just getting started putting the history together on this one and any assistance would be graciously appreciated.

A few snapshots taken yesterday after my first test-drives and initial inspections.

Updates to follow as more is learned:

[email protected] / (619) 840-7811

Year 1972
Make Ferrari
Model Dino 246GT
Type 2-door/2-seat Berlinetta
Body Pininfarina designed / Scaglietti built
Engine 2.4-liter, transverse 4-cam, V-6, 195bhp
Gearbox All alloy, in-unit with engine, 5-speed +reverse
Chassis/VIN No. Dino 246 GT *03978*
Engine No. 135 cs 000 *0009726*
Engine Type Tipo 135CS
Gearbox No. 901E
Body No. 006
Mileage 39,697 kilometers
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Confused, why the US side marker lights plus the Euro front side marker light/hole?

And please ditch those non-standard side mirrors in favor of Daytona chrome jobs.

 

While we are just getting started, I would guess that a lot of subtle and no so subtle changes took place over the years.

The car is a pure Euro model but came to the States many years ago and the EPA / DOT requirements necessitated some additions and changes. I am not a fan of the two plastic mirrors. Who can sell me one of the correct single ones for the driver's side door?

We are not looking to restore the car, just finish the refurbishment started back in 2007 which appears to have stalled until being acquired by the former owner and sent to our shop.

Ciao,

Bill

 

Those are the correct Vitaloni Californias for the 76 -79 308 series, of course.

 

Ciao Bubba,

Any correct single mirrors on your shelf? I will trade you the ones on the Dino if you have the one I need! Heck, I will even cover shipping both ways!

Ciao,

Bill

 

No, the earlier Dino units are the chrome ones?

Maybe Matt Jones at Reoriginals.....

Keep me in mind when those (gently) hit the floor. ....beautiful car!

 

She is a cutie but still needing some rubbing, prodding and coaxing along here and there.

I am starting to get some additional details and corrections for quite a few of you and cannot as always thank everyone enough.

Thanks to Matthias at the Dino Registry we now have quite a bit more on this one.

The car was officially recorded as completed on May 15th, 1972 and ordered and sold new through the official Rome and Bologna Ferrari Dealers S.A.S. Motors.

The correct body number is "900" and not "006" I had the numbers upside down!

The car has its born with engine and gearbox. (Matching numbers engine/gearbox/body number etc...)

Here are the latest corrections and updates:

Year 1972
Make Ferrari
Model Dino 246GT
Type 2-door/2-seat Berlinetta
Body Pininfarina designed / Scaglietti built
Engine 2.4-liter transverse 4-cam, V-6, 1985bhp
Gearbox All alloy, in-unit with engine, 5-speed +reverse
Chassis No. Dino 246 GT *03978*
Engine No. 135 cs 000 *0009726*
Engine Type Tipo 135CS
Gearbox No. 901E
Body No. 900
Completed May 15th, 1972
Exterior Color Blue (Azzurro Dino 10-A-349)
Interior Color black (Nero 161 vinyl black.)
Dealer S.A.S. Motors (Roma/Bologna, Italia)
Mileage 39,697 kilometers

 

Additional detail shots of the pertinent numbers:

Engine Type Number
Engine Number
Gearbox Number
Body Number
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Greetings Bill,
All of the usual suspects sell nice repros. Originals may be a bit more difficult to find, and are priced accordingly. I replaced the Californians that were on my 246 GT for many years, with two Dino/Daytona replicas that I got from a Euro seller, and they look good.
I've listed a few, but certainly not all, of the current sources.

Jacques has 4 mirrors ("production") available for $219 ea. in Twin Peaks, near Lake Arrowhead.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FERRARI-206-246-330-365-NEW-MIRROR-/120743975199?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c1ce6d91f

Superformance has them ("original") for £69.95 ea.
http://www.superformance.co.uk/a-246/fittings.htm

DinoParts.de has them ("Original type") for 74.50Euro ea.
http://www.dinoparts.de/EN/ferrari-246-gt-gts/body-fittings/rear-mirrors/rear-view-mirror-daytona-with-rubber-.html

Though not 'correct' for the 206/246, Californians were not all that uncommon. I've seen quite a number of Dinos with two of 'em mounted (but, never with a single Vitaloni). Having a pax-side mirror is convenient; however, I wish I'd left it off when the body resto was done on my car. Just one Dino/Daytona mirror on the driver's side, as you are planning, looks right for a Euro car.

Good luck with filling the holes & touching up the paint! Here is a great tutorial from 'Synchro' on correct positioning of the mirror.
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=181795
And here, Scott compares an original with a repro.
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=183700&highlight=correct+mirror+position

Shifting gears, here:
What are your plans with the Euro v. USA side markers? Since the holes are there for the Euro button lights (they are avail, too), there will be some patching & matching required if you keep the DOT lights. Or, are you going to be removing the USA side markers? Quite an undertaking, but you guys can handle it! Since you are going to have to mix up some Giallo to touch up the doors after you swap mirrors, you might as well take a deep breath and go for the whole thing and make it Euro once again.
Oopser: Now you've opened up Pandora's Box. If you are going to 'sanitize' the car, the F-script on the deck lid and the Cavallino on the rear panel should probably come off, too! Yikes. More filling and matching/blending!

And, since yours is a Tipo E, the proper, available and very expensive license plate light needs to be re-installed in the trailing edge of the deck lid, with the appropriate switch and associated wiring mounted under the rear batchboard lip at the trunk lid sill. ('need a shot of the trunk/rear panel at the latch area to determine if the switch is there.)

I notice that the left rear bumper end cap and driver's side wiper assy are missing, too. Are they in a box with the Euro side-marker lights? I hope so. Interestingly, your Dino appears to have A/C (3 air outlets on dash)? That may be a bit unnusual for a Euro car.

Bill, since you asked, just post a bunch of pics...in & out...so we can all pitch in and help you fine-tune the details on this little jewel.

Thanks for sharing & asking. Keep us posted!
Coop

 

Daytona style mirrors...$189 + shipping

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ferrari-246GT-Dino-365GTB4-Daytona-Mirror-189-/150667975210?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item231482da2a

 

There ya go; another option. You said that your plan is to finish up the Dino and, if feasible, right a few wrongs along the way. I believe that the reproductions are a very good choice for all but the show-quality restos.
I removed a set of flat black Talbot-style mirrors on my '64 Cooper S, and replaced them with repro Lucas mirrors. They are nearly perfect for a nearly perfect Mini...and were a fraction of the cost.
Coop

 

You Rock Ron! I know Lyle well for the better part of 20+ years and will ring him in the AM!

Ciao,

Bill

 

Hi Bill,

Over all, a great looking car that needs few things, but don't they all......?

The yellow in your pictures looks a little different than the typical yellow we associate with Dino's. Is this you camera or a new color. When this car hit F-Chat years ago, it was the typical yellow we would expect.

What are you asking for the car? I know you are looking to fix some of the short-comings, but the whether to fix or move question is one best left for the market.

Ron bought a great car and is having fun (well, maybe, don't let me speak for you) fixing stuff. Some want to have the fun and some want to not have the hassle. Whee that delicate balance falls is not my area of expertise.....

Shawn
Houston, TX

 

Yes - great question - do you have an asking price for the car yet? Before mixing up a batch of paint someone might want to take the car back to Azurro. Would love to know if there's an asking price now.

 

And, since yours is a Tipo E, the proper, available and very expensive license plate light needs to be re-installed in the trailing edge of the deck lid, with the appropriate switch and associated wiring mounted under the rear batchboard lip at the trunk lid sill. ('need a shot of the trunk/rear panel at the latch area to determine if the switch is there.)

I notice that the left rear bumper end cap and driver's side wiper assy are missing, too. Are they in a box with the Euro side-marker lights? I hope so. Interestingly, your Dino appears to have A/C (3 air outlets on dash)? That may be a bit unnusual for a Euro car.

Bill, my Dino *03932* has the license plate lamps at the bumper ends. I believe this to be original and have noticed both styles on Dinos around my chassis number. BTW, my Dino along with John Clinard's were sold at the same dealer as yours! What will be your asking price?

Freeman

 

Freeman, you are right. Only late E-series from approx. 04800 upwards have the license plate lamp mounted in the deck lid.

 

Gents,
I stand corrected; thanks for that. I see that the Dino Register is a tad more specific under: "Versions-246 Dino...Coachwork variations"
"Two rear number plate lamps located in each of the rear
(from 01118) bumper ends. Exact change point unknown. European versions
kept this system until sometime between 04554 and 04648."

'still learning,
Coop

 

'still learning,
Coop[/QUOTE]

Coop, We'd all like to know just some of what you've forgotten! (Not that there's anything wrong with your memory!) Fred

 

to be precise here
all US models had the number plate lamp attached to the boot lid
all LHD and RHD models had this change from body no. 1112 onwards

so #03978 with body no. 900 is perfectly original

regards Matthias

 

Not very precise, to be honest...

 

???

 

My apologies to all for not responding sooner. This little Dino is just one of the many machines that currently occupies my time and I am a bit distracted at the moment by a Porsche that needs more attention than the some of the others including this one.

More on this Dino when I can...

As for sales requests, this is not the venue and I won't be able to discuss such matters here publicly.

I am only a low level paid enthusiast on this site, so private messages, direct emails or phone calls for anything along those lines.

[email protected] / (619) 840-7811

Ciao,

Bill

 

I too am trying to track down the history of my car. btw, I am having a terrible time with photographs. For the record, my body number upside down (thought it was 616 instead of 919) How did you take your photos of the car's numbers, especially, the actual engine number. I can't even see it let alone photograph it.
Have you tried to contact the dealer for information about original ownership? Is this hard to do?

What I have so far is...

Year 1972
Model Dino 246GT
Type 2-door/2-seat Berlinetta
Body Pininfarina designed / Scaglietti built
Engine 2.4-liter transverse 4-cam, V-6
Gearbox All alloy, in-unit with engine, 5-speed +reverse
Chassis No. Dino 246 GT *04022*
Engine No. 135 cs 000 *???????*
Engine Type Tipo 135CS
Gearbox No. 930E
Body No. 919
Production date: 15 May 1972
Exterior Color: Blu Scuro Dino 20-A-357
Interior: beige 430 (vinyl)
Delivered to Italian dealership M.G. Crepaldi Automobili S.a.s., Milano (I).
Mileage 70078 kilometers

I don't publish my e-mail publicly but can be contacted with a PM here.

 

So my Engine No is split into two; a Fiat Engine No (135c 000 0007187) and a Ferrari Engine No (647...look closely), as I seem to recall Matthias explaining. Also note that my Fiat engine no. is 135c 000.... rather than 135 cs 000...
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Hello Ron and Bob,

Ron your engine no. is a bit more easy to find than Bob`s number.
Bob`s Dino has a later production date with different engine no. stamping.
Bob, your number should look like this, stamped from above and not stamped from the side like Ron`s number.
Regards Matthias
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