Even the service manual has its challenges

Our good friend Alberto from El Salvador took the time to re-produce the original service book. What was not supplied were the holes on the pages of the manual. This led to an extensive process of measuring and modification to a North American specification 3-hole paper punch. Parts from two punches, along with some filing, and a nifty spacer made from a nylock nut produced a tool that perfectly punched the required 4 holes for the re-production binding. 

Restoration Lesson: Work with experienced professionals

As the leather work progresses it became very clear how important it was for us to choose an upholsterer with vehicle specific experience. On the recommendation of vintage Ferrari guru Tom S. we chose to have the interior work done by Pete at Westminster Auto Upholstery in Anaheim California. Not only is Pete and his crew super skilled, but they have forgotten more about Ferrari interiors than I am ever likely to learn. He came recommended as the best and boy did he deliver!

We will document the interior work over several posts but this one will concentrate on some of the things we found wrong and the steps taken to correct them. Really the only thing correct on the whole interior was some of the framework and the rest was either wrong or too worn out to use.

Here is where Pete really showed his stuff. Over the years he has collected dozens of original Dino interior samples to reference off of  when performing re-constructive surgery. In his words our old interior was more than 'Mickey Mouse...Pluto, Donald, and all the characters were invited!' As such, in addition to fixing things, he took the time to show me everything that was wrong and where Ferrari cut corners on the original cars. There would be no such short cuts on 01464.

Now for some progress pics...

Master metal worker does a 'smoking' job.

While nobody related to 01464 smokes, that still does not mean we can overlook the butchery that took place to the cigarette lighter mount. Someone decided that the nice angled scallop mount was better replaced by a flat piece of metal under the center console leather. This resulted in us needing to re-create the original shape prior to re-upholstery.

Enter Simon Leach, MASTER metal fabricator and fellow Dino owner. Simon brought his Dino back from the dead by making for it an entire aluminum body all by hand. More can be seen on his creation here:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=295393

With the masters touch he banged off a new lighter mount made out of aluminum. We felt very privileged to have Simon contribute a little to our project.

Leather time! But first we must correct prior sins

While doing our research Dino guru Matthias informed us that 01464 is one of only 31 M series Dino's to have been fitted with a leather interior from factory. Dino's were low dollar cars in their days so most left Maranello with vinyl trimmings as leather was a rare option.

As many stories begin with our Dino...'At some time in the life of the car' the leather had been replaced and it was done so poorly. The correct stitch patterns were not replicated, the materials were wrong, and the general craftsmanship was poor. This, coupled to the re-use of original padding and webbing, resulted in seats that are at best poor compared to original. At least the original '197' build number remained however everything else is trash.

Future installments will document the seat re-construction but for now here are some photos of how NOT to do a Dino interior.