Back from media blast today. The usual rot in places! I also get all the fiberglass media blasted with plastic media, it saves hours and hours trying to clean it all and does a really good job. You can also see all the extra bracing in the frame for Spyders.

On the rotisserie and headed for media blast.

with the wiring harness now removed and the last bits and pieces, all that is left is to remove all the fiberglass pieces. Its a huge job drilling out 100’s of rivets and removing all the bonds. After that it will be ready for media blast.

Today was engine day! Engine is out, brake calipers and rotors and all the front suspension. This one still had the smog pump which I seldom see.

finally separated the steering hub from the shaft. I tried PB Blaster for 3 days, heat, hub puller but it wouldn’t budge. So today we got the whole steering assembly out which was not easy! Had to remove the dash to get too it. Normally you take out the hub, then the switches and housing and then the dash. We had to cut up the hub to finally separate it. At least it is a readily available part. Then back to stripping parts off.

Let the fun begin! New specs will be a azzurro metallizzato 106-A-32 with cuoio interior. US sidelights and rear reflectors delete and possibly change front indicator light to Euro. Daytona seats all cuoio with no black stripes and black carpet. Radio, AC, Ferrari script and Cavallino delete. Will keep original campagnolo wheels and refurbish. Of course there will be the haters changing from original specs, but the great thing is most that I do are not for customers so I get to do them the way I want!

As many of you know I recently moved from San Diego to Spicewood, Texas and built a new shop where I continue with my passion restoring Dinos. I always have an ear out for Dinos that fit my need. About a year ago a guy stopped by with a corvette asking if I restore these. I had a Dino parked out front. I wasn’t sure if he knew the difference. He told me he heard about a Ferrari that was in a warehouse in Llano, Texas. I’m out in the boonies but Llano which is 45 minutes west of me is really in the boonies. It only has 2 main roads. Last week I was passing through Llano I decided to find the mystery car. It didn’t take long in a small town to find it. Under cover was a 1973 Dino Spyder with original campagnolo wheels and daytona seats that had been sitting since 1997 when they moved from Laguna Beach to Llano, Texas. The car was originally sold from Hollywood Sports Cars to and interesting guy working somewhat with the Movie Studios and other ventures. He sold it in 1985 to the current owner. I hit it off with the widowed owner (76) and we struck a deal and today I picked it up and brought the 45 minutes to my shop in Spicewood for another restoration. Originally Rosso Chiaro with Tobacco interior. All is original except a crappy paint job done in the early 80’s with a red nowhere near the original. Now I get to decide on the new specs for this car and some lucky person will get it when I’m done.