opinion on ebay dino gt

Looks like a pretty good unmolested car cosmetically.

Euro front indicators and tail indicators but US side markers. Looks like a conversion but I would not hold that against it.

Wrong tool kit. You need to check the spare tire, the tire jack and books.

To me, I always worry about rust. I personally wouldn't bid on a car like this on ebay without looking it over first in person or by someone I trust knows what to look for. But, that's just me.

For a car of this potential value, they sure were cheap with the photos. It's a red/tan Dino and that's all you really know.

 

European model. Looks like a complete restoration. Happy biding!

 

Agree, looks like a nice example, with not too many things standing out in the pictures. Which is a good start, but older cars can hide a lot of nastyness under glossy paint. Since you're looking for one you probably know that, but it can't be stressed enough that it is really important to check things out in person before buying. Pictures just don't cut it unless at least really hi-resolution of a washed car with good lighting.
I am not enough into Dino GT prices to say anything meaningful about prices but I do notice a few things. First, I don't know these cars well enough but it seems like the stance of the driver's side rear wheel is a little too far forward?
The engine has slighty tired look over it but that doesn't mean it won't be strong. That fuel filter and rad cap look as if they were last changed well over a decade ago though. This could suggest quite a maintenance backlog, at least from ageing parts (brakes, hoses, etc). Long-term storage was probably the reason for the tire and battery replacement. This means it could have other long-term storage issues too (waterpump, brakes, rust in tank, cooling system etc).

I don't know where the quoted mileage of 63000 comes from, the odo tells a different story regardless whether it's km or miles. Guessing by the condition of the seat it's probably a little more than that, 100.000 miles at least would be my estimate, but it's always difficult to tell and often better to let the condition tell the story. Good luck with the search or purchase!

 

My guess is the reserve is set at $125k give or take a bit. If the car checks out, that is a really good price for a driver.

 

Exhaust is not OEM...note that outer tailpipes are not of same length as inner pipes. So based on the Euro gauges and Euro front indicator lights, what's with the US side indicator lights?

 

Car came in the US around 1978. I suppose the side markers were a must to get road registration. Odo shows km.

 

It is clearly a Euro Dino which has been imported to the US and "Federalized", probably in the late seventies or early eighties. Exactly what was done to the car at that time varies depending on which company did the conversion and when it was done. There may have been non-standard modifications to the engine (to meet emission controls), and there may - or may not - be beams added inside the doors. Everything can probably be removed or undone, but it is still something to look out for.
The rectangular side marker lights, which were probably added at that time, are also in the wrong location in the front. They should be removed and closed off. Not a big deal, perhaps, but body and paint work on a Dino is never cheap.

 

Looks like a very nice car.

 

The BAR sticker implies some sort of exemption when it was imported.

Regards, Alberto

 

It is possible to contact DOT to see if it has been brought in to the U.S. Legally. They charge a very small administrative fee and issue you an official letter if it checks out. Very important for someone considering buying a Euro spec Dino. I have the info if anyone wants to PM me.

Freeman

 

do these old euro cars still need to comply with dot or exempted? or, are they just exempted from smog certification?
ed

 

If done properly they are legal. Smog certs in most states don't apply anymore because of the age. But, you have to check your state.

If it has a US title and registration, it should have cleared. You can check the VIN with the DOT also.

I had a complete Euro Dino (unmodified) for 15 years in California and only towards the end of my ownership in the late 90's did it start to have trouble with smog. Now I think it would be exempt. Never did anyone check the DOT stuff.

Personally, I'd take off those DOT side markers and repair the damage along with the paint.

The big problem for certified cars was the gray market mid 80's when the dollar was really strong. In those days, people got cars through by just swapping and removing parts over and over. Eventually, these crooks were caught but a lot of cars were screwed up in the process. Dino's weren't really valuable in the mid 80's so they didn't get caught up in the gray market much. Everyone wanted boxers and 308's along with a ton of Mercs.

 

California smog exemption rule is as follows, as it relates to gas powered automobiles (http://dmv.ca.gov/vr/smogfaq.htm);

"- Gasoline powered 1975 year model or older"

 

Past 1976 they (California) wants "whatever was on there" back on the car and working, as I understand it.

Texas has a blanket exemption at 25 years old, no smog check after that....

 

It's slowly climbing towards $100K.....is the market slowing?

Everyone waiting for the '6 seconds left' snipe???

 

Of course they `want', but since anything before 1975 never has to go for a smog check, including when it's first registered, it doesn't really matter. I know since I registered my 1971 Euro GT last September. The DMV never saw the car to get it registered...all they wanted was my money.