RESTORATION OF A FERRARI 246 GTS DINO – PART 8 (MARCH 2013)
Well where did January (and February) go? I have been living in the UK for the last 23 years and love the people, the place and yes, even the weather ……. EXCEPT by the end of January the long winter starts to get to me and I need some sun shine, so it’s off to sunny South Africa for the month of February.
Steve at Barkaways had a very busy January and February working on the Dino. He has cut the rear panel and fitted both new lower corner bowls and welded into place as required. Ground and shaped the panels to achieve accurate body lines. He has also cut out both rear wheel arch sections and cut in new panels and welded as required. With the rear body now starting to take shape we have fabricated and welded into place the bulk head and door rear closing panels to tie the body onto the chassis. With the rear body firmly located new door sills have been fabricated and welded into place and aligned with the doors. The temporary locating rods used to hold the body in place have been removed as the body is now securely located. The rear outer sill panel has been enlarged to include new rear lower ¼ panels up to swage line. With the new door closing panels in place, the door sticker plates and catches have been fitted to enable door closing lines to be completed as required. Steve has removed an excessive amount of lead filler from the air duct areas and cut and reshaped the panel to achieve better panel alignment without filler. The front sub chassis had been poorly repaired previously so we have cut out and replaced box sections as required. The coolant radiator mountings have also been replaced and radiator now located correctly. Work is on-going with rear wheel arches and door panel fitment.
We have painted the chassis sections in the centre and front of the car with primer, under coat and satin black.
We refitted the original floor and foot well panels to replicate their original fittings; a new aluminium boot floor has also been fabricated and fitted.
We have made new metal tubes for the rear boot, engine hood and fuel filler flap cables as they were rusted inside and restricted the cable movement.
The suspension wishbones and hubs have arrived and will be fitted to ensure accurate wheel arch alignment.
The Luppi interior is on the way from Italy and we are now getting closer and closer to paint.
Engine rebuild has began and block and heads have been sent away for machining.