At last the Dino has arrived in Doha Customs have been cleared, temporary registration plates have been obtained and she is ready to go. Except it doesn't - the fuel pump has failed. Still not to worry, it is easily replaceable with a Superformance version. It is a euro-spec 246GT (#05898) with a very nice history (last owner for 22 years). Simon Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Simon, question. I would think Qatar would be a great place to preserve cars, kind of like Arizona in the states, low humidity, less rust. True?
Do you have interior pics? It looks like the dash and rear bulkhead are fully leather covered was this a feature of later models?
It should be a great climate for cars, very little rain and the humidity is not too bad. I bought one of those Air-Chamber bubbles for it to live which filters the air - sand dust here is gets everywhere. I'll eventually take it back to the UK with me when I return, but I have no idea when that will be yet. I wanted to buy one before they even more expensive.
Hi Peter, The inside was been re-trimmed in tan leather when it was in Italy in the 70/80s and the dash and rear bulkhead were trimmed in tan leather at this time as this leather matches the doors. Then the seats were re-trimmed again in the 90s with Daytona style inserts but the tan is a slightly different shade. The car was originally red with black vinyl, although I am still waiting confirmation of this. Then it was painted black and the interior was re-trimmed in tan leather. Then in the mid 90s the last owner had it painted light metallic blue. He said it was the early version of Blue Chiaro Metallizatto but it isn't. When the car was being transported from Orlando to Miami for shipping to Qatar the driver managed to drop a ramp on the rear wing and chip the paint. The shipping company had this repaired and matched the paint exactly. They sent me some spare paint in a tin and that is marked 'Electric Blue Metallic' but doesn't say the car maker that used it. Obviously it is not a Ferrari colour but it does look nice. However I will probably paint it and retrim it in due course. Don't know what colour combo yet but it seems a shame to create yet another red Dino with black trim, even though it would be the original spec. PS - The black marks on the door frame are black mastic and cleaned off easily Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
That shade of blue is gorgeous, wouldn't it be tough to go back to red after seeing this? Is the red zip tie on the steering wheel part of importation? PS - you have four red tail lights, while I'd expect the two outboard ones to be orange.
Thanks for taking the time to respond as I'm sure you're very busy -- all very interesting. I wonder why more owners don't have the dash covered in leather given the trouble apparently associated with the mouse hair (apart from the obvious authenticity issue). Whatever the colour is, it's beautiful. For what it's worth (and speaking as a designer), I think you should keep some kind of light to medium blue at the top of your list when repainting. You get a colour that stands out from the crowd as both attractive and unexpected (because everyone expects it to be red) without overwhelming the highlights and shadows that make it impossible to stop looking at the thing. I've also seen photos of the car (on another thread in this section) in Nocciola (hazelnut) which seems to hit all the marks: appealing, distinctive, and good highlights/shadows.
Hi Scott, The red tag was where the shipper attached the keys just to make sure they were not lost - a great shipper and one I would highly recommend for anyone shipping out of Miami. The tail lights are wrong. They should be orange on the outside and red on the inners. There was a fashion in the US in States in the 80s to fit two red lights per side and .move the side lights to the outside so the car looked wider. I have new correct lenses ready to be fitted in the next few weeks
Hi Peter The current blue is pretty but not stunning. Although I am not a designer I run a web design company and I can appreciate the subtlety of colours. Nocciola is a great colour. I also like Viola, Verde Germoglio and Verde Pino BUT I am really leaning towards Blue Sera Metallizzato with a new tan interior. What do you think? Image Unavailable, Please Login
As the owner of a 246 GT in Blu Sera Metallizzato with a tan interior, I applaud your consummate good taste! Fred
I think I would recommend going one step lighter/brighter to Blu Dino Metallizzato or Blu Chiaro Metallizzato, whichever has less green in it. Blue Sera Metallizzato might be a bit too dark in low light conditions – which you don't have in Qatar but definitely will when you eventually return to the UK! I also think a brighter colour would go better with the tan interior. That said, a Nocciola exterior with tan interior would be spectacular...
As the FORMER owner of #5898 (when it was black) my fantasy was always to have it in Blue Sera with tan. I cannot believe you picked that combo. Honestly, if someone happens to 'bump' my Boxer and requires a repaint, that's what it'll be the next time anyone sees it. Great choice.
Blue Sera is a gorgeous color too - has different highlights when struck by different lightings and suits the curves and form to the Dino very well.
Hi Adams Coincidences never stop. We both have Boxers, I have your old Dino, it was black and my 365BB is black. Its almost scary Simon
Tell me you're married to a girl named Marcia, have two children, and still think its funny to disguise your voice on voicemail and we're living parallel lives! Cars and the internet, or we'd have NEVER found this out. Fun stuff. Enjoy that Dino. It is STILL MINE in my heart!
Simon, welcome. It is great you posted in this forum. My car is Blu Dino Met 106-A-72, somewhat different from what you want (see the thread on the "Cooper Classics" Dino) with Pelle Beige VM3234. However, you current color is an interesting blue, and I don't mind the leather-covered dash. You might want to keep for a while. A very minor point when you do decide to work on the car - check the position of the rigid door pocket, which seems higher than usual. Your car looks great. Andy
Simon, here is a picture of the interior on my car, not too clear unfortunately, but which shows where the door pocket or bin is. It seems, if mine is correct, that the pocket on your car is a bit high, but this could be the angle of the photograph. I hope it will be useful. Andres Image Unavailable, Please Login
