It's easier when we are part of a Community of Enthusiasts and Connoisseurs. I could say a Commonwealth, where Wealth is the knowledge of our elders in Dino owning and restoring.
Today the engine started coming apart and that is where the real drama began: http://dino246blog.blogspot.com/ We'll get it right
I was there for part of Rock's examination. The quote of the day was "We'll have to do a compression/leakdown test to see that the bottom of the engine has to be done too." Notice there was no "if" in his statement. I think the interesting point here is that these guys went into this project with their eyes open. They asked lots of questions and they bought carefully. They learned everything that can be - and they still get $urpri$e$. Complete, high quality restorations deserve respect.
Yes, you are getting it right, with this attention to detail this will be the Dino I will look forward to seeing next summer.
An excellent web site and great information. Well done. I do have one observation related to the rebuild of the ventilation fans. There are several comments addressing the anemic air flow produced by these fans. My experience suggests the opposite. I have rebuilt 6 of these fans, and all produced substantial airflow prior to cosmetic restoration. A more fundemental problem is that they blow enormous quantities of hot air. Jim S.
Nothing preppared us for what we found in the bottom end: http://dino246blog.blogspot.com/ It is amazing the car ran as well as it did.
Oh my God, it's amazing, horribly albeit, that some people actually think they can get away with such horrendous "work". I feel your pain. But like Red said, your with the best now!
Today was the most special post yet. Check out the story of a very special re-union http://dino246blog.blogspot.com/
Awesome day today Rob , was great meeting him and the stories - the little tear in his eye today choked me up, I'm sure he was amazed seeing his name where he signed 35 yrs ago....I know it would amaze me. Great pics !
Had a great visit with Rocco at his shop, he does these cars right! Had the pleasure of seeing my former baby #01260 getting treated to his work, thanks to it's new owner! I sold that car way back in the 80's before Enzo passed, for $45K CDN. It's gone through a few owners since, and now I believe it's in the right hands, the new owner is doing everything to bring it back to it's 1971 glory, and Rocco's guys are the ones to do just that. This is how it looks before Rocco get's into it, can't wait to see it next year! Ciao, Dennis Image Unavailable, Please Login
Thanks Dennis for helping me out with the history of the car. Your pictures and knowledge of the vehicle are helpful. The car is in good hands at Rocco's shop. Many thanks to Rob and Paul for arranging to have the salesman out to the shop yesterday. It was great listening to his stories. The salesman is a true gentleman. Hopefully we can get him out again when the cars are closer to completion. Sam
I am new to the 246GT world and I am really happy I found this chat line and your restoration website. Fantastic work and detailed chronicle of the restoration process. Dean
Life is even more special when humans are connected in a personal fashion to events and things. What a lovely reunion...kinda puts purpose into things, no? My 'L' 01104, came from Canada at almost the end of its very sad life, yet no one knows anything about it after being sold in Palermo, Sicily, 1st time around. It is as if it came from the twilight zone Anybody know more? Regards, Alberto
Wow I can't believe that I have not bumped this thread since November. There have not been a ton of updates since then but in the next few weeks quite a lot of projects are coming due. The fiberglass panels knocked the wind out of us and they are finally done. http://dino246blog.blogspot.com/
Rob, I hate fiberglass... My specialist is totally immune to it. If I am at less than 10 feet away, will itch all day. I think he has a trick, and works with short sleeves, I just can't believe it. You guys did a great job of re-finishing, and replacing the plates is the only way to go as they are always shot. People have problems with threads and proper fasteners. Ideally, don't use inserts in the head spark plug holes, best to weld and re thread. I know, more $, but I would avoid the 'threaded stuff' as they end up messing the original design. Spoke with Paul today and your 'care' package will leave soon. Regards, Alberto
Ron, Just saw the hood on your 246 site. Anybody betting on the outcome? No takers I suppose... Great stuff on the gauge. I really like the thorough approach, and you are setting standards. And that, is a really good thing! Regards, Alberto
Hi Alberto, Thank you for the compliments. The rear hood panel was replaced for a new skin sourced out of Italy beaten off of the original bucks. The original one was a little too far gone and is little more than wall art right now. As for the instruments we just can't help ourselves sometimes. The casings were inexplicably quite beaten up and we somewhat felt sorry for them. Despite being buried deep in the dash we thought it best to give them all the attention an exterior piece of chrome would get. Keep your eyes on the blog next week for updates on some big developments in the restoration.
