$200K or more would not be unrealistic for this car, even though it has some minor issues, which are detracting from its value. The Ferrari badge on the rear deck lid is a real shame on a car with original paint. The engine compartment does not look as undisturbed and original as you would expect from such a low mileage car. The micro switch (and wiring) on the throttle linkage is also missing. That could all be corrected, of course. On the other hand, the interior is excellent. Only the external speaker grilles on the door panels mar the impression. Otherwise it has one of the best and most original interiors I have seen.
The seller has ended the auction ahead of time. It probably means that he has already found a buyer. If that is indeed the case, one can only congratulate the new owner. Cars like this do not come up very often and he (or she) is getting an exceptional Dino.
I am curious about the chassis number. Did it come bare, unpainted, as in the photo? Is that the proper way to repaint the chassis after a restoration? I have seen other cars that have the serial number painted as the rest, in the same satin black...Thank you. Regards, Alberto
Alberto - For the later Dinos at least, the bare unpainted look is definitely correct. The serial number area in my own car looks just like the one in the photo. I have also seen the serial number areas painted black on some cars, usually on early Dinos. I always assumed that they had been repainted without masking off the area, but it is possible that the early cars were made that way. Sorry, that I can not be more specific, but I am hoping that someone with an early, or L-series, car can jump in and provide a photo or description of the serial number area. Regards, Lars
The bare serial number area is not truly bare. The unpainted area is clear coated and the clear coat extends 1/8" or so into the black paint. If not clear coated the metal would be very rusty.
The serial number strip on my 1972 GT was also unpainted (or perhaps clearcoated). I have painted it over. It looked neater.
Lars you are correct. E-series only. 206 GT until M-serie everything was painted black. (Maybe very early E-series black too?!) Regards Matthias
Impossible to tell from those two photos provided, but I believe some of the smog equipment has been removed. Besides the missing microswitch I mentioned before, I also think I see two missing hoses next to the air cleaner. You would need to stick your head under the lid to see if the air pump and air injector pipes are still there.
In FCA concours, aren't 2 points deducted for headlamp covers? This should make the plexi headlamp covers a legitimate option correct? Freeman
That is a good question, Freeman. We have just learned from Jim Glickenhaus above that the headlight covers were supplied from the factory in the trunk of the car. Perhaps that was how Ferrari managed to get around the legal restrictions for the headlight covers. They simply supplied the parts and let the dealers or owners install them. If so, that was an interesting and very Italian - approach! (No offense intended to Italians on this forum, meant as a compliment, actually) You could argue both ways whether that makes them factory originals or not. The fact that they were listed on the factory invoice and supplied with the car (in the trunk), speaks in favor. The fact that the US spec Dino never was type approved with headlight covers, speaks against. The FCA guidelines simply state Factory options are considered original, after-market options are not. That leaves some room for interpretations. I believe that an FCA concours judge, being shown the factory invoice with headlight covers included, would accept them as original. Lars
I agree, Lars. Factory provision of the covers would seem to trump motor vehicle safety regulations. If the covers were delivered with the car, they should qualify as original factory equipment. Whether or not they are considered original, I love my (aftermarket) headlight covers, supplied by Egidio Brandoli of Modena, and cut and fit by a friend and fellow F-Chatter, Bob Zambelli. Fred
This is an interesting subject for me. I've never competed in FCA Concours but would be interested in what is accepted and what deducts points. As an example, if you do a color change but to an correct original color is that a deduction or accepted? On a Daytona, if you put 9" rear comp wheels on is that a deduction etc? What is the criteria? What options that a specific Ferrari left the factory as or what options were available? Or is it a subjective mixture? I will probably put plexi covers on mine regardless because I think it was the design intent and in my opinion looks complete. Freeman
Freeman period color no deductions I have never seen 9" wheels on a street car from original !! Can I asked who said they were optional? The owner's manual and parts manual state 215/70VR 15's on 7 1/2 Cromodoras We do not go into date coded wheels as PCA does, and never have seen a date code earlier than 77 on a 9 inch Cromodora. Campagnolo (high mag content) 5 spoke wheels were tended to be produced for some prototypes and Comp Daytonas. This has NOTHING to do with production cars. "As the car left the factory" or show me the dealer paperwork (proof). The displayer(entrant) has the burden of proof, for items that are deemed irregular or not original. Most judges are not closed minded, period photos, other cars than have similar features and finishes, restoration discoveries with pictures and description are required etc. Do your homework, present your case, show me .......... NOT ........... "Giusseppe took what ever was off the shelf that day" Happy FCA concouring!
I would like to put plexis on my Dino too. Yes I know it won't be original but I am the primary judge in this show. If you have info on where to get quality covers I would appreciate it. I have not done any research yet into sources.
I wouldn't put them on my car, but I know that there are two kinds. The good ones, when viewed in profile, follow the convex curvature of the fender. These are obviously more difficult to manufacture than the other kind, which describe a straight line when viewed from the side. The ones that H.R. Owen supplied as a dealer-instaled option in the 70s had the "correct profile". To my eye, the straight line ones look all wrong. The ones supplied by H.R.O. used fiddly little L-brackets that required drilling into the bodywork (shudder).
To look correct I feel it has to follow the contour of the fender as on the original Pininfarina blueprints and original styling sketches by Aldo Bravaroni. My friend(also a designer) has created the right tooling with the correct contours. The parts are labor intensive to produce. The examples made from flat plexi w/o contour don't visually continue the fender form and look wrong(my opinion). I've been documenting various attachment methods. I'd be interested in seeing other examples and opinions. Freeman
Alberto, He doesn't produce them. It's not his business. He only did it because he had a 206(same fender profile as 246). He's doing a set for me as a favor. If we do anything more serious we'll let the forum know. Haven't decided on how to mount them. Looking at all options including brazed on tabs and screwed on "L" brackets. Thoughts? Ideas? Advice? Freeman
On page 2 of this thread there's a few ideas...... www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=196733&highlight=dino+covers
tom, two different ideas of mounting the lenses. 1-exactly as ferrari supplied lenses were mounted. purist. 2-custom chrome trim similar to the lenses on a 275gtb. flashiest. ed
If the first 2 most-discussed (and-never-to-be-resolved, thankfully) topic on the 206/246 forum are: 1. Should I put a Ferrari badge on my Dino (with "is it original" as a derivative topic); and 2. Is the 206/246 a Ferrari? the 3rd must be "should I install headlamp covers on my Dino (with "is it original" as a derivative topic). I actually like the plexiglass covers. I installed covers on my Series 1 Lotus Elise, which as everyone knows is inspired by the Dino. It looks very good, IMO. I would install headlamp covers on my 246, but don't think they go with the recessed indicator lights on my U.S. model. If I had a European model, I would install covers immediately. If someone would develop a bolt-on flush-mount indicator set for the U.S. model Dinos, I would buy that and the headlamp covers. Andres
I think that the reason some headlight covers have the straight line is that shortcuts were taken in trimming them. They are made oversized, and have to be painstakingly trimmed. If you decide to use one side, the top or the bottom without trimming that particular edge, it entails a bit less work, but you lose the flowing contour. It took seven hours to trim my two covers, which were done by Bob Zambelli. I got my covers from Egidio Brandoli in Maranello. Fred
I have seen this car and have taken pictures of it at the hanger the seller keeps the car in...along with Bugatti's, Moto Guzzi's, airplanes and unbelievable collections of memorabilia. The car has been sitting for many years and has some very light surface rust on inner surfaces, but everything else is in very good condition. The only other thing that was in need of attention was the bezel that held the three levers for the deck lid, engine lid, and fuel. Right next to the Dino was a Boxer that he personally walked the factory floor with as it was being built...and he can prove it with the pictures he took at every station. He was a personal friend of Mr. Ferrari for many years and was allowed in the factory whenever he wished. I understand that he just had too many cars to take care of along with his other interests. Regards, Jeff 72 246 GT 77 Lotus Esprit 83 Jag XJ-S
