Ferrari Australian Dino GTS Restoration
Entry: Thu, 18 Feb 2016
This restoration is being done to an incredibly high standard, with every component matched as closely as possible to the original factory finish. We have already touched on the restored fuel tanks, but another item that required special attention was the exhaust system.
While many restored cars are now fitted with brand new stainless steel pipes and boxes to the correct design, we felt that this car warranted something even better. Therefore, Foskers managed to track down an original new ANSA mild steel Dino 246 exhaust system, still in its factory wrapping having never been fitted to a car. This item adds a rare feature to a very special Dino GTS, and is a real highlight at the rear end with its bright orange inner coating and original ANSA transfers.
As our extensive photo gallery shows, there is no element that is being overlooked in this restoration process, and the attention to detail by our expert technicians is second to none.
Entry: Thu, 14 Jun 2012
The Dino's engine has now been reunited with the chassis, which has meant that we've been able to get on with fitting oil and water pipes, the fuel pump and lines, and the exhaust heat shields. The latter have been correctly left in bare aluminium, as they would have been when they left the factory in 1972.
Cable releases for the bonnet and boot lids, as well as the engine bay, have now all been installed and tested, which you can see in the photo of the stripped down door section in our gallery above.
Next on the agenda is the installation of the new manifolds, exhaust box and tailpipes.
Entry: Sun, 10 May 2015
The freshly-rebuilt 2.4-litre Dino engine is now completed and ready to go back into the GTS's engine bay.
As you can see from the photos in our image gallery, no element has been overlooked, and the block and heads are immaculate. As with the rest of the car, the attention to detail is second to none. The finished car will be simply outstanding.
Entry: Tue, 21 Apr 2015
It's all about the details in our latest update on the silver Dino GTS restoration at Foskers.
The freshly rebuilt hubs have been joined by re-plated and rebuilt brake calipers, as well as much more of the new wiring, hoses and lines in the back end of the car. The rear bulkhead's immaculate condition is brightened up by the addition of the pair of restored fuel tanks, which have been painted as close as possible to the original specification paint when the car left the production line in Italy.
With the car up in the air once again, we have a chance to show off the expertly-restored underside, which now presents as new.
Finally, various smaller elements around the car, in particular those relating to the fuel and electrical systems, have been visually enhanced by new ID plates, stickers and labels that are to the exact original Ferrari specifications. Once again, we show that attention to detail is now more important than ever when restoring a wonderful classic Ferrari such as this.
In our next update, we hope to bring you the news of the fully rebuilt engine's reunion with the chassis and body.
Entry: Wed, 11 Feb 2015
The beautiful silver Dino GTS has finally got a little more 'colour' again. Since we showed you the freshly-painted body in the last update, all of the suspension components and hubs have been refitted under the wheelarches, as well as the steering rack.
Stunning Koni shock absorbers in the correct shade of orange really brighten up the corners of the car, surrounded by perfect gloss black springs. The satin black wishbones and refinished tan-coloured fuel tanks look absolutely amazing, too.
The wiring has also been refitted since the last update, with the board now impeccably cleaned and detailed, and the rear lights back in their tail openings with re-chromed ring surrounds. There is no detail that is being forgotten about in this restoration. It is a nut-and-bolt rebuild in the true sense of the word, with even the smallest individual element being cleaned thoroughly and carefully refurbished, or replaced where necessary.
Entry: Tue, 20 Jan 2015
Our latest photographs of Dino 246 GTS chassis s/n 04824 show the fastidious attention to detail our technicians are implementing in restoring this wonderful Ferrari.
This is a true nut-and-bolt restoration, with every element inspected, taken apart, cleaned, repaired or replaced only when necessary, and put back together with the utmost of care. These images show the cleaned-up steering rack, drive shafts, joints and wheel hubs in close-up detail.
Finally having the Dino up on a lift in our workshop has also allowed us to inspect and photograph the quality of the chassis and underside, which has been stripped, restored and repainted to the same concours standards. When the project is completed later this year, this will be a truly outstanding Dino 246 GTS. Look out for more photo updates in this section over the coming weeks.
Entry: Thu, 11 Dec 2014
Foskers is delighted to present the first full set of images of Dino 246 GTS chassis s/n 04824, which is currently undergoing an exceptional restoration with us.
This wonderful Dino has undergone a bare-metal repaint back to its original metallic silver, which gives an impression of how beautiful the car looked when it left the production line in 1972.
Read the full Australian 246 GTS story so far in our News section.
Entry: Mon, 10 Nov 2014
Finally, we get our first glimpse of the Dino 246 GTS in its original and correct colour of silver (Argento Auteuil) - and it looks absolutely stunning.
We've only unwrapped one corner so far, to give you a sneak peak, but we'll bring you a full set of detailed photos of the new paint finish in due course!
Entry: Sat, 12 Jul 2014
Even sat waiting for paint in its primer coats, the Dino GTS now looks better than ever. The latest stage involved stripping down the chassis, and the fitment of new body sections that were built using the original Scaglietti bucks in Italy. These included new outer sills, rear wheel arches, rear bowls and post sections.
With close attention paid to retaining the correct wheel arch apertures, the new sections were welded into place, with doors aligned and panel gaps corrected concurrently. After the body alignment was complete, the process of repainting the chassis and steel panels could begin.
The primer coat is now on the car, and its matt finish is currently helping to show off the crisp lines of the exterior as well as the cleaned and refurbished chassis. The final decision on colour has now been made - we will take the car back to its original silver (Argento Auteuil). We can't wait to see it with the final coats of paint on!
Entry: Thu, 27 Feb 2014
Stage 1. Paint removal
Originally the plan would have been too wet strip the paint from the car, however after consultation with our paint specialist it was agreed that it should be dry stripped. Wet stripping uses a water based paint stripper that causes the exposed steel panels to rust on the surface, it also makes a mess of anything it comes into contact with. Soda blasting was also ruled out because of the corrosive nature of the materials used. From experience we have found that soda finds its way into every crevice, particularly between the aluminium front bonnet skin and its steel frame.
After removing several layers of none original paint the body panels were exposed. I am pleased to say that all of the panels are factory original and relatively rust free. The outer sills and rear wheel arches show some signs of corrosion and will be replaced. The new body sections will be produced in Italy using the original Scaglietti bucks and moulds. There are also two small repairs , one on the nearside front and one on the near side rear. These will be heated and reshaped correctly so as to avoid the use of body filler.
All of the panels retain their original welded seams along with factory lead joins. The lead will be heated and removed so that we can check the panels below it. Once all the paint has been removed the new panels will be welded into place. The engine and suspension will remain in the car until the new panels have been welded. By leaving the engine and suspension in place the correct wheel arch aperture and height can be obtained on all four corners. Stage 2 , the welding into place of the new body sections will take place once the paint has been completely removed. We will be uploading photos of this work very soon.
Stage 2. The removal of corroded sections/new sections fabricated
In the last month all of the fibreglass bulkheads and floors have been remove. Any corroded or damaged metal sections have also been removed. The front cooling fan support frame was found to be out of line and has been removed and re aligned. Both the inner and outer sills have been removed in order to gain access to the chassis tubes. All of the chassis tubes were found to be in excellent condition and required just rust proofing and repainting. New inner sills have been welded into place and both door shuts have been repaired. Both doors have been completely stripped and the skins have been removed. These have been blasted and rebuilt replacing only the lower sections of door skin. New outer sills, rear wheel arches, rear bowls and post sections have been ordered from Modena Italy. These sections will be produced using the original Scaglietti bucks. The engine has now been removed in order to gain access to the chassis. So as to retain the correct wheel arch aperture the engine will be re installed prior to welding into place the new sections. Stage 3 will involve the stripping and repainting of the chassis and the welding into place all of the new sections, aligning of the doors and correcting all of the panel gaps.