OK.... change of plans Quote to restore the old steering column switch was crazy, In the thousands. With a bit of research it appears the Fiat 124 spider Devioluce Cavis model 789 can work but needs a little modification. Looking at the photos from what I can see all the wires match including the colors. The old one has been worked on somehow. Not sure how but there is old electrical tape where there should be a plastic shroud. Our feeling is this is the problem someone was chasing. A lack of finding a new part may have caused them to see if they could jump a wire. Hard to tell but we think its best to start fresh before trying to see if there's a short somewhere else. These 789's are not that easy to find. Found several on Ebay but parts suppliers don't have any or crazy expensive. Unfortunately coming from Italy so its going to take a good 10 days to 2 weeks. The reason the brake lights stopped working is it blew a fuse. The missing fuel tank parts will arrive on Monday. Too bad as I'm leaving for Italy for 10 days this weekend. Would have liked to have heard it purrrrr before leaving but no such luck. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I wonder if there is a fiat junkyard near your trip to Italy. Maybe you need to go on a scavenger hunt?
I'm waaaaaay too busy on this trip to go Fiat parts shopping. Every time I think I have all the parts I think I need, the next day I find something else broke. IF we can get the electrical issues sorted I think its downhill. We knew we had electricial problems though. Just looking at the jerry-rigged wiring told us something wasn't right. Most of the mechanical parts, aside from the engine of course, match up with other Fiat cars of the period. Sometimes it take a while to find a cross reference. Body and interior parts are pretty much unique to the Dino. You can see how these things slow down. You look at it and you go "hey, we can get this running in 2-3 weeks". Next thing you know its over 4 months and you haven't even finished what you started.
Got word yesterday that it was running. Fuel tank in. Not sure how well yet. I’m working in Italy this week and most of next so can’t go over. missed seeing it run by one day!
What I got was literally 2 seconds of just seeing the engine run to let me know it fired up on all 6, which I don't believe it had in 30 years. Just looking at the fuel system and the condition of the carbs its hard to say how well it could have possibly run. I'm asking for more today. Its not running around yet. Still on the lift.
I have a box of column switches that I collected over the years with a misguided notion that I might someday figure out a solution to the Vittaloni column switch failings in my various cars. Post a pic of your switch (or send it to me separately) and I would be happy to take a look, see if there's a match (or close), and send you what I have. Just taking up space in my garage.
Wow thank you! But I have already ordered one that is the model number I need. I'll get back to you if need to look further. I found someone also who said they could rebuild for about 2 grand.
Yes. I knew it was when I bought it. Just for the fun of it. It has "reproduction" in Italian printed on the back. Not sure how to get a real one.
Hello Bob, I have found a comprehensive Fiat Dino 2000 spare parts catalogue including all versions and the complete 2000 change history. Maybe helpful as you are in the hot phase of your project. The document was edited by Fiat in 1970 (when the Dino 2400 was already in production) retrospectively - it is incredible how many changes, improvements and upgrades they implemented for such small volume production. Scanned and uploaded here: http://www.fiatdinoforum.org/viewtopic.php?t=1873
Got some pics from O'Gara today! The Cavis 789 is in! It arrived from Italy a few days ago and with a little modification, is now on the car on the steering column. It hasn't been tested yet but looks pretty good. I think the total cost with shipping was like $150. Thank heavens for standard Fiat parts. People at the time probably didn't appreciate it but I sure do now. Mechanic reported that the starter is making funny noises so we will send that out locally for rebuilding. Also I see that the air cleaner is installed for the first time in who knows how many years. Hopefully I can see it next week when I return from my trip to Florence. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I can't find a source for a tan convertible top. I can find a lot of black ones. If anyone has a source let me know and I will investigate. No rush but if it takes time to order I would do it soon.
Yes its a real mahogany applique, not fake plastic.. Series 1 cars had a black and silver insert. This one is series 2. The gauges are very Ferrari 246 in the layout. Basically the same stuff. I guess Pininafarina resused a lot of things to save cost. Notice the original radio from the mid 70's. I'm going to get it rebuilt with bluetooth and modern stuff inside.
Preview of coming attractions ... Maybe you can ask the owner for a source https://wallup.net/fiat-dino-spider-classic-cars-convertible-italia-37/ (full size image can be downloaded here) Image Unavailable, Please Login
Yah I’ve seen this photo. It’s in Beverly Hills. I want to change over to a tan interior and top because of the Vegas sun. My Corvette in tan interior is much cooler than the black areas of the interior. Would make the driving window larger. Also I think look better. Would like to switch to leather seats as well for same reason. But that’s in the future. Lots of bodywork still to come. The body doesn’t look just bad in photos but in person the body and paint is really rough.
I believe that Electron top has a pattern for 2 litre Dinos. I don't see one on the Robbins website, but it would not hurt to call them and ask - they make wonderful quality tops.
How about this original colour? Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I think the original color was a pale yellow. I can see evidence of it near the windshield panel. I would like this interior but might have to custom make it. I can't find tan door cards anywhere. Right now the seats are not black. Its dark brown. I have no idea if that was the original color or not. I'll replace the carpeting in black. I haven't decided yet on the color I want. Might paint it a Ferrari Dino color.
Colorado Yellow was the original color. As Bob said above, a nice pale yellow. When I asked the heritage group to provide details, they couldn't produce a certificate that confirmed the original color, so I am going off of the previous owner who imported it from Italy in the mid 1970's.
