I, offically, have the best wife in the world!!!!

take two (lost during the f-chat meltdown)

 

the dino is euro and was imported into the us in late 73/early 74 (at which point the us sidelights were added).

the photos are very deceiving. the carisn't a complete basket case, but needs substantial work to make it road safe. jon, i am sure you can attest to the costs involved in tracking down parts and making the ones you have work. what is sad is the car looks good but isn't. it sat in storage for so long and the problems just became worse. in these photo's, you can't see the dents and dings, the rust and other body issues. furthermore, the interior is in need of major attention.

once i get the car to my home and have a better chance to take photo's i will. it's all the little stuff that kills you. look at the photo that shows the interior. forget the basics of a "new interior". you can see the headlight stalk is broken off. the gauges aren't dino. the....... and on and on it goes.

the engine does start, but needs a full rebuild. the gearbox is in need as well. the........and on and on it goes.

i am not planning the level of restoration/anal retentive rejuvination (no offense meant, but you even admit you know you will not expect to recover the costs, but are doing it for your own piece of mind and satisfaction) of your dino. but to make this car a nice solid, reliable driver, i am going to lose my ass. sure, i can leave it as it is and only fix mechaincal things, but this car deserves more.

as much as i would like to think this dino is a slam dunk in terms of bringing it back to life, i know better. i am going down this road currently and it isn't fun or cheap. however, in some perverse way, there is a little bit of joy in the learning process.

 

i expect to never make money on this car, even without going to your level of detail jon, but i know there is some unrealistic value we all attatch to sentimental value. when considering this, stupidity takes hold.....