67 Fiat Dino Spider restoration

Withe the pinholes I wonder if you could copper plate it and then have it sealed ?

 

I found a movie of my car's grandpa.

 

Are you talking about the fuel tank? The people I sent it too are experts in repair for these things. I left it to them. It came out great. No fuel leaks or vapors since the return.

 

Received new plates today.

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Car will be so much fun to drive when it's done and will be that perfect driver. Those are the cars I love. Enjoy it, should be beautiful.

 

Nice Dino Spider story in the April issue of Octane magazine.

 

Thanks!

Some awesome photos here
https://www.roscoerutter.com/Octane-Magazine-Fiat-Dino-Spider-2000


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I got a message today from the body shop. They say "Wednesday". I don't believe it but its the closest they've ever said. But with a little luck I might see it close to being put together in 2 days.

So much more to do.... will the list ever get shorter?

 

Went over to see the car this afternoon. They are doing final assembly I'm am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo happy with the work. Its amazing and its not buffed out yet. Zero orangepeal. Not a single defect in the bodywork. And I think I picked the perfect color. Its a metallic red. Haven't seen it in sunlight yet but I know its going to be beautiful.

We found a few more broken parts. Nothing big. I can order them pretty easily. We'll put them on at O'Gara when they get the car.

Maybe.... just maybe that shipment from the body shop to O'gara might be Wednesday. It took months of work but the quality and attention to detail was worth it. The body was such a mess. Now it looks like a real car again.

As soon as the car gets to O'gara we send the carbs, the distributor, the tach, and the aircleaner to Dinopoint for Restoration. Meanwhile we work on the remaining assembly and repair of the electrical. After we get it running its off to have the interior replaced.

I can start to see the end of the tunnel.



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The front plate arrived.

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I think we are getting close to the body shop releasing the car. Had to order this one stupid lock spring for the door latch. Cross referenced one to X 1/9 and got it from Midwest Bayless. Shipping costs more than the part but what are you going to do? Its all these little things that keep adding up in time and $$$. Things you would never have guessed in a million years.
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Looking good, Bob. Fantastic color.

 

Time to play —- what’s in the box from Dinopoint? Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

These are the correct armrests with real metal chrome inserts. Not cheap— but much more prettier, thinner, and elegant from the Fiat124 ones.

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Tan top tonneau cover in leather that matches the tan interior. Absolutely gorgeous.

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As Carly Simon sang so many years ago, "Anticipation.." You have to get this car finished soon Bob. These teasers are making me just a little bit anxious to see the final result. And a video would be nice too.

 

The body shop said we can send a truck to pick it up tomorrow. We’ll see…fingers crossed.

It’s going straight to O’Gara. Gotta send some parts out immediately. Then to the interior shop.

If gets released tomorrow it’s a big step. Would really like to run it a few weeks before heading out to the Monterey adventure.

 

Out of the body shop and into O’Gara. Got pretty good company. The color is perfect Still missing the grill and badges but this is the new windscreen and rubber gasket.

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Ah. You're the proud papa!!

 

So here's the latest run down of what's left

Early next week I plan to send the carbs out for bench tuning along with the distributor/tach for conversion to electronic ignition. The air cleaner will be restored to original spec.
As soon as the parts are out its going to the interior installer. I have the complete interior skins, armrests, seat belts, sunvisors and top & tonneau cover as well as the carpeting in the car floor and trunk.
Install the water seal gaskets around the trunk and hood (I have them new)
Badge and front grill installation (I have all the parts)
Fuel sender might not be functioning correctly. May have to adjust.
The complete wiper mechanism needs to be installed (we have all the parts new).
We need to find out the electrical problem in the center console and get the switches and gauges to work
Heater value installation (I have a new one) Heater, fan, and vent pull cables working (could be a PITA)
The Clutch pedal is still slow to return. Not sure why as everything is new.
One headlight does not work (not sure why). Need to check. Might need new set of bulbs (not cheap!)
I want to change out all the brake lines with new braided steel.
General overall check and run in test. Fuel consumption test.

Other things needed before the trip to Monterey:
Radio installation so I can have USB for the Nav/Phone / Sat radio
Final detailing and PPF

The list is getting shorter but so is the time frame. But its good to have a deadline to measure against.

 

The paint looks outstanding, congrats. Hope it's mostly downhill from here.

Good plan to try to get some miles on the car before the big Monterey drive. From experience, there will inevitably be some shakedown issues you'll want to sort before hitting the road.

 

The car is being sent to the interior shop on Monday. I should meet with them on Tuesday. Also on Monday I expect to sent these parts to Dinopoint for adjustments and repair. The air cleaner is truly hideous in Chrome from the original zinc plating. Its surprisingly heavy as well. Hopefully when all these parts get back its just a simple plug and play.

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Daytona #14169.

 

HURRAY! The Dino is now at the Interior shop with all the skins and materials. I went over the job today with the owner. He might start this week or early next.

The box of mechanical parts to be reconditioned in Italy left today as well.