Restoring a 246 GTS

Guys, I have just purchased a 246 GTS, and the fun begins ........... This is a copy of the monthly report that I am (hopefully) going to write for the Ferrari Owners Club UK (Essex region) news letter ............

FERRARI 246 GTS DINO –

It’s Sunday morning, 6.30 am and I get a call from a guy telling me that he knows of a stripped 246 GTS. He informs me that it is almost complete(?), ready to assemble, some new parts and VERY expensive. As some of you may remember I had a similar call a few years ago about a 365 GT 2+2. When I purchased this car, and after eighteen months my mechanic/friend turned it into a stunning car. The budget changed four times and the final cost was well over what I had estimated. I wonder if he is up for another challenge? I remember thinking that I was mad to take on the project and that I would NEVER do anything like that again..............

Later that day, when I drove up to what seemed like a small castle, four hours away, I was greeted by the very wealthy multiple Ferrari owner. Nice guy, but what a difficult man to deal with. Yes, his price was VERY expensive and there was no room for negotiations. Deal done and the following day I find myself much poorer than I was the day before. Thank goodness that my wife Pat is so understanding (the fact that she is counsellor is also a big bonus).

The shell and crates of spares will be delivered to my house on Tuesday. Hopefully I can persuade my mates, to get excited and involved in this project.

My time scale is 12 months to turn this bag of bits into a fantastic car that I will enjoy and hopefully it will stay with me for some time!

For those interested, I will try and give you a monthly update as to the progress of the rebuild.

Now it off to my garage to try and make space for the arrival of what will hopefully be an exciting and fascinating project.

Anthony
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Oh my!

I applaud you for your positive outlook and wish you all of the best on the project. It does seem like quite a lot of work you have there.

 

Looks like a great project, keep it up!.
What did "complete(?)" actually mean or is that to be determined?

 

Anthony, Congratulations to you and your understanding wife! Is the car complete, are you confident all the pieces are there?

All the best on your project.

Tom

 

Congratulations! I hope it is 99.5% complete as mine was....

Regards, Alberto

 

nice. have fun!!!!

 

I'm getting an extra large popcorn.

 

Anthony,
Fantastic opportunity! You will never know Exactly whats missing until you come to reassemble..........I suspect that nothing should be missing, just that you may have trouble identifying various small components etc.......But that is why we are all here for you!
Whereabouts in Essex are you?
Regards,
Graham.

 

Anthony, good to meet you this morning, the very best of luck with your rebuild.

 

Anthony - best of luck with your project.

At least Superformance are closeby - hopefully you won't need a "loyalty" card!!

Ed

 

Thanks Graham. I'm near Colchester

 

Thanks Ed, Eurospares is even closer.

 

Subscribed.

Pete

 

Anthony -

I am so sorry to intrude on your post, but could you please take a measurement for me? between the center lines of the 2 steering rack mounting flanges on the chassis..

I am forever grateful.

Pietro
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Pietro, as per your request, 305mm center to center.

Regards, Alberto

 

Thank you Alberto - another PM sent.

Pietro

 

I am only in Bury St Edmunds, so not too far away........could always visit if you need to know where the odd part goes!
Should have mine on the road for next month all being well.

 

It's Tuesday so i am assuming that the chassis and parts have arrived. Good Luck to you.

How much work has been done on that chassis thus far. It looks pretty good for an English car, has it been re-sprayed and repaired already.

Dave

 

You are welcome anytime, the kettle is always on!

 

Dave, the car arrived at 6.30 am this morning. I have just finished sorting out the bits etc and it's now 8.15pm. Pics are of the car and trailer this morning, and the body/chassis finally in the garage. The chassis is completeand has been restored. Next step is finishing the body and painting the car. Then the fun begins .....................

 

OOPS! no pics...............

 

Anthony,
If you finish that in one year then i am going to give you a medal!

 

Just outside Bury St Edmunds for me.

 

Who are you?