Dino Restoration Mysteries

Tony - nice car. What is the chassis number? It appears to be an early U.S. car with single mount bumpers. The U.S. side reflectors are removed, with Euro-sytle front directionals fabricated. The front-side button lights, seen in the Euros, have not been installed.

The undercarriage raises an interesting question. The single-tube bumper mounts (implying ? pre- or early 1972) along with what appears to be absence of forward, trianglular corner chassis reinforcement leads one to think about a GTS conversion from Coupe. A long shot, I admit, and I am likely wrong. Chassis number would put this to rest.

Any other pictures of the tubular chassis frame from below?

Jim S.

 

Tony,
Looks like there was a lot of rust and a lot of dings prior to the re-build and re-paint. Also looks like they did a fair job of getting things back but probably used lots of filler. If there are no bubbles in the paint, they probably did fine on the rust and the welded in plates look secure. Look inside doors and apply conversion coat if there is still rust. Re-do seals on outside of windows. Originals did not seal. Replace with rubber lip seal. Lots of dings in the frame near suspension mounting points. Be good to double check every last angle on every wheel. Easy to shim into alignment but not many shops have ever done it and probably would not volunteer to learn. Engine compartment looks like it has all the pieces. Black on cam covers is no biggie if you don't like it. Easy to strip, bead blast, clear iridite and back to original. Probably never going to be a show car but great fun to drive. And everyone (but judges) who sees it will drool. OmgJon's car will look similar with Euro turn indicators in front, no side lights. You will be in good company. Look into recovering or dying dash. Re-paint in any color you like and drive.

John

 

Can't find 03794 in the Marvin Register.

Gonna check the Raab book later.

DM

 

Tony - your car is quite nice. Don't pay any attention to my comments. I am sure it is original. I raise the issue because most of the GTS's I have seen have dual bumper mounting tubes (implying later than 1971), and Jon (omgjon) discussed removing the triangular plates while removing his fiberglass passenger tub.

The car looks great. I read from your post that the car is intact and driven. Based on what I see, and your comments that you prefer to drive rather than show, I would not rush to paint the car now. Wait until a misadventure forces your hand, and then paint.

Enjoy.

Jim S.

 

I thought double mounting tubes per bumper were found on USA cars and singles were for European cars. How does 1971 as a transition year factor in?
Thanks for the insight.

 

Synchro - I have owned 2 U.S. cars and 1 Euro, all Coupes, 2832 , 2900, 3002 (all manufactured late 1971, early 1972). All had single bumper mounts. I do not believe it is a Euro versus U.S. issue, but an early versus late modification.

If you study the undercarriage of Tony's car, you will notice two 1 inch (approximately) tubes running the length of the passenger floor (parallel to the coolant tunnel). The clutch cable goes through one, and the throttle cable through another. In later models their are 3 tubes, and the hard brake line going from the front brake manifold to the proportioning valve in the rear runs through one of the tubes. Finally, in Jon's restoration project, he had difficulty removing his tub because of triangular welded reinforcements on the tubular chassis. Presumably these were placed in the GTS to provide additional support in the absence of the roof. I do not see these on Tony's car. Jon may wish to comment. However, this is likely a late versus early modification as well.

Jim S.

 

The car looks great and I doubt that there is any excess filler from what most other 246 have. I doubt that the RR dent transferred to the frame being damaged, just a coincidence that the photos showed that RR corner.
WHo knows why Scaglietti used that "layered" area at the lower body behind the rear wheels, a real sponge and rust creator.

With detailing like black valve covers and a gloss black top, these are "cheater" ways to eliminate some ugly details precent on 246's. It is a struggle to paint the top in satin because you will always get one little fleck of dust that cannot be sanded out as on gloss finishes.

 

i am almost certain my 72 coupe has the two support configuration. it is us spec s/n 03930.

many euro cars have the bumpers that tper off before the grill, while us cars tend to bend "into" the grill opening. i am not certain either way, but i would suspect euro cars might have a different configuration. the euro bumpers are much more delicate and closer to the body.