Dino L/M series Engine Light wanted for possible reproduction.

My research shows the Foredit switch to be the one fitted to Dino's. The Vitaloni switch looks similar but it was fitted to Fiats and I have no proof of any coming on a Dino.

Before anyone gets all excited that a close match is little more than a Fiat part number away, they should calm down as the Vitaloni part is equally scarce to the Foredit one. These things are near on impossible to find and I am determined to make a new manufacture of it.

 

and the Dino Compendium only calls out Foredit 2402/2403 for the 206 (pg 120), L (pg 162) and M (pg 201).

Having only been teased by the presence of the Foredit switch (Alberto), I assume that's two different flavors of the engine light (ie, Foredit 2402 and Foredit 2403). Are they distinguishable from each other?

 

you can never be sure
but I have only found Foredit lamps in Dinos (where you can be sure they are original to the car, not added later in life) and secondly I spoke to the guy in Italy
who did the electric wiring for the Dinos and he confirmed Foredit too....
regards Matthias

 

If the Vitaloni lights were in plentiful supply I would just fit one of those and forget about the Foredit. As it is both lights are near on impossible to find so I will have the correct one made regardless of which one is easier to have made.

As it was I went back and forth with an injection molder today and we are talking about the project with great intensity. At the end of this I hope to take this switch off of the endangered species list.

 

Nuvolari:

It's been 3 months and the proposed reproductions are unavailable. Given that I have an NOS spare, I am happy to proceed with this project. That being said, the world doesn't need two guys doing repros of this part.

Please let me know your target date to deliver these repros.

Thanks,

Keith

 

Hi Keith

As you can imagine making switches is not my full time gig so the time lines are going to be longer than if I was pursuing this under the gun. That said we have been active in seeking out the necessary manufacturing and figuring out how to make the switch in a cost effective manner. It is actually quite a complicated part involving a lot of pieces and multiple suppliers so it all takes some time. We are targeting though to have the switches available for the summer of 2013.

If you do have an original NOS switch, and are keen on helping out the Dino community to make this part available to all, then would it be feasable that you donate it to our cause?This will allow us to have a really accurate one to reference off of as our sample switch is rather old and will ensure the most perfect reproduction. We are out to get all of the mold and injection marks in the same spot so the better our sample pool the better the result.

We will pay for your shipping and supply you with a finished part at no cost for your contribution. If you want to help out please send me a PM or reply here and we can make arrangements to get your switch (this will also shorten our timeline).

 

We are finishing a full on restoration of early chassis #00416 and that light/switch is missing.

I located the very switch you are in need. If you are sitting down, price quoted to me was for $2000. Not going to advertise their business name as had lots of bad dealings with them that escalated to unacceptable during this project and terminated business forward.

 

Rob, take your time, result is key
regards Matthias

 

Nuvolari:

Thanks for your response. I am sorry I did not get back to you and the group sooner but I was in Toronto to mourn the loss of my beloved grandfather.

As I mentioned in an earlier e-mail, it would be my pleasure to donate my NOS switch to the cause.

That being said, I have quite a few colleagues and friends in Seattle who do have full time gigs as industrial designers so I would prefer to entrust the switch to them to get this done right in a timely iand cost effective manner.

I don't question your ability, standards or intentions but simply want to bet on a different horse.

Thanks,

Keith

 

Our project is in full swing with initial drawings and most of the sourcing done. Our research has made us do away with rapid prototyping and silicone mold making as neither can achive the result that injection molding does. The secret lies in making an injection tool that is cost efficient enough to make the project viable. Luckily we are in the manufacturing business and my main job is to solve production challenges so this dovetails nicely with my skillset.

At present we are evaluating different mold making techniques and plastic choices for the application. We want the most resistant material possible that perfectly replicates the original switch. This part is my white whale and I am determined to make it right and available to the Dino community.

 

What's happening with this project?
Have you chosen a material? If so what is it?

 

At present the project has hit a road block. Our manufacturer is ready to go with everything on the production side sorted but we need an original undamaged switch to get our final modelling data. We had one lined up but it fell through so we are looking to the Dino community to see if someone can supply their switch or spare to help us out. From receipt of the switch we expect to be 8 weeks out to deliver final parts.

 

Rob (and Paul),

I can use 3 to 5 switches, depending on their prices.

 

Hello Rob,
did you manage to get a switch on your side of the ocean...?
If not, I`m happy to send you this original one from a Dino 246.
Regards Matthias
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Yes, yes, yes! I'll contact you later Matthias

 

Thank you Matthias in the name of the L series owners without the correct engine bay light.
Alvaro

 

And M-Series owners as well.

 

Foredit light switch sent out to you
regards Matthias

 

German efficiency at its best! I will be sure to do my part and thank you for the contribution.

 

+1

;o)

 

+1

 

Ok enough of the +1's. If everybody that's appreciative of Matthias's good will did that, there'd be pages and pages of them.