Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login I really miss Corbani’s threads and posts. I loved that he used his Dino as “in the day” and wasn’t afraid to make improvements to make it more reliable, safer, handle better and more fun. I loved that he was so open minded and a problem solver. I also loved that his Dino wasn’t perfect. I respect those that want their Dino’s exactly as it left the factory BUT I also respect those that want more. It’s a constant debate. I think this forum has come a long way the last few years with new blood coming in. Last Sunday, the Porsche community celebrated Luftgekühlt 5, a gathering of Porsche air-cooled passion. The Porsche community has had years of debating and embracing authentic restorations to the most creative and well done outlaws. I see John Corbani smiling down on us. Somehow, I relate to him! I wonder where his Dino is now and if the new owner has carried on or is it restored back to as it left the factory? Which would be more interesting? This is me leaving Luftgekühlt in my ‘72 911T. It has mostly original paint, mostly as it left the factory but I added 7” Fuchs, ST seats with houndstooth and a 380mm steering wheel. Somehow, it feels better to me! Freeman
Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login A better shot of the interior and my “improved” Dino! Freeman
Modena Trackdays - Spa-Francorchamps 2013. John Corbani's #04504. Nose was restored, repaired, or changed. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-04-27/a-car-obsessive-who-spent-1-million-to-update-an-infamous-ferrari Timely, no? (Duckin)
Really good article. I really respect the talent and creativity of Kevin O’Rourke and his team. I’m hoping he’ll make a 16” version of the Campys. Andy Cohen has invited me to see the car. Freeman
Nice to see Corbani’s Dino going strong and being enjoyed. I miss seeing it with its 16” Gottis. Does the new owner post on FChat? Freeman A nice article with photos of Corbani’s Dino: http://www.forza-mag.com/issues/80/articles/the-do-it-all-dino#.WuSRs1plChA
Freeman, I had a 1972 911T as well for many years it was a US version, and so was closer to the S than the European T. It was very original and had less than 7,000 miles then I sold it in the late 90s. I like the houndstooth seats on yours. Andrea
On the topic, I think the good thing is that we have different views in this forum and don’t need to agree on a common path. Personally, I like cars that are very original. I also enjoy looking at them as much as I do driving them (a heresy according to some of my good car friends), but that is me. I don’t want to modify them to make them more drivable or modern (although I might install an improved distributor), because I like to be reminded of how they drove when they were new. I am lucky to have a new Ferrari as well, so the contrast that the Dino provides is quite refreshing. And, if I haven’t driven the Dino in a while, surprising (Was the steering always this heavy? No electric door locks, I forgot!), but always a pleasure. It reminds me why I like historic (the local sports car club’s term for pre-1972) cars so much. Andy
Image Unavailable, Please Login My 1948 MG TC is very original. It is really a 1930s design and so provides s dramatic change from modern cars. Even the Dino seems modern in comparison. I pamper it in deference to its age (same as mine). That’s me in a local hillclimb, with friends from Japan holding the car up for the start. The fellow to the left is Jin Nakao, a former editor of the very good Japanese car magazine Car.
MGTC’s are lovely machines. My old boss at Porsche during the 80‘s, Anatole Lapine restored and reimagined an MGTC. He built it in his office at Weissach! The racing department helped him set up the suspension, it had a 906 steering box, 917 peddle assembly, Borrani wires, Fiat Twin Cam Weber inducted motor, early Alfa rear axle and finned drums all round. The speedo was a tach, designed in the studio and built by VDO. On the motor it said, “Safety Fast At Last!”. It was BRG with green hides. Looked 100% stock. They had to knock down the wall to his office to get it out. Also left a huge oil stain on his rug! He left the rug in there’s for years! He would drive it to the studio in the summer. Drove up the hill to Weissach where he would wave by hot shot GTI drivers only to slowly press on the gas. They were confused why they couldn’t pass him! The MG Club was infuriated. He loved creating controversy and debate. I guess it rubbed off a bit on me! It was a great time and I had great mentors! This MG now belongs to my friend in Malibu. Freeman
That is a gorgeous TC. I have finned aluminum brake drums on mine, but want the drums on that TC. I have never seen diagonal fins. The tach is in front of the driver in all TCs (the speedo is in front of the passenger, but that tach is special, as you point out. The great thing is that everything looks period on that car.
The brakes are 50’s/60’s Alfa Guilietta. Not rare. You just have to know where to look. Speedo was a rev counter that read speed in gear via RPM.
Prewar J series MGs has that kind of rev counter - different colored bands depending on gear. My guess is it wasn’t that important knowing how fast you were going because the gauge was really hard to read.
Yes, Lapine knew that. He grew up in Riga Latvia then war torn Europe before immigrating to the US. He was a survivor and scrappy. His dream was a J2 but couldn’t justify the cost so instead he built his dream.
What I like about the car is that everything about it is consistent and period. No 15-inch fat tires, etc. it was wonderfully done, but then Lapine was an artist.
He also had a set of 16” Borranis with Dunlop race tires for racing. I agree, the skinny 19” looks the best.
Freeman ...Can you tell me which color your Porsche is I like the color and have GT3Touring that I am configuring and this color is one I like is it Tangerine??? or ????. I assume it is a Porsche color ... thanks Larry
