1967 Fiat Dino Coupe 2000 - The Oppo Review

"Flavien Vidal" (flyingfrenchy) 07/10/2015 at 10:11 • Filed to: None

58

100

(Full disclosure: Fiat wanted me to drive this car so much that... that... Nope sorry I got nothing. I just bought it last month.)

During the mid-60s, Ferrari ran into a little problem: They needed an engine to compete in Formula 2 and they needed it fast. In order to get their engine homolagated, the F2 rulebook required that 500 cars with this engine be sold. Quite a huge amount of cars for a luxurious car company like Ferrari. Therefore they asked for help and Fiat came to the rescue. Bertone designed a car that would get the 2L Ferrari V6 and the Fiat Dino was born. That same engine would also to be used in the 152 “Ferrari” (the brand name never shows up on the cars) Dino 206 GT built between 1967 and 1969. The other Fiat Dino, the convertible “Spider” would be designed by Pininfarina a bit after the coupe and would use the same engine.

Many of you probably have already heard the story behind the “Dino” name. Alfredo Ferrari, nicknamed “Dino”, only son of Enzo Ferrari, died very young at age 24. Before his death, he designed a small V6 engine, later put into the Dino 206 GT and in the Fiat Dino Coupe/Spider 2000. The engine would later be replaced by a similar but slightly more powerful 2400cc V6. At the time Ferrari only used V12 in its cars and therefore, Enzo, in homage to his son, but also because he didn’t want to see a “Ferrari” badge with anything else other than a V12 in it, created the sister company “Dino”.

Anyway, let’s get on with this review!

Exterior - 9/10

To me, it is one of the most beautiful car Bertone has ever designed. I find it to be absolutly spendid! Sure, the one I bought was the cheapest one in all Europe at the time (still not “cheap” by any mean though), therefore it needs some TLC, but the lines of this car are just beautiful. Just looking at it, you can start imagining a young version of Alain Delon at the wheel, cruising around the french Riviera with some kind of hot blonde girl on his side and bad guys getting ready to attack. It’s just beautiful! The car became popular as it was used by the mafia boss in “The Italian Job” in 1969. Still today it’s got this “badass car, sure, but a classy badass car” feel when you see one in the wild.

Interior - 7/10

The interior is pretty much exactly as you would expect it to be in a late 60’s car. Lots of leather, a bit of wood, a thin imovable wooden steering and some quite thick carpet on the ground. Overall fairly basic. Well built too (impressive for an italian from this time), the leathers in my car are original and they have no hole anywhere. The carpet should be put out of its misery but this is fairly normal for any carpet that is approaching its 50th birthday. The trunk is quite big and two and half average sized dead prostitutes can fit without too much trouble. Rear seats are better suited for kids than adults but tall adults can definitly survive smallish trips. They are very deep but much more confortable than in any 911 due to the extra leg room and even better than in a Toyobaru. The wheel is also very slippery and driving gloves are recommended.

Toys - 2/10

Does “What the hell does this button/switch do???” counts as a toy/game? Believe me it’s a game that lasts very long in this car. I still don’t know what all those switches do today.

Audio - 9/10

No, you don’t have any radio in the car and it doesn’t matter!! It’s not the kind of “audio” I’m talking about. The Ferrari engine SCREAMS all the way to 8000 rpm!! It’s just freaking awesome!!! I invite you to listen to the little video I’ve put a little bit further, in the “Handling” section of the test. I only wished I had a better way to record the audio to share it with you guys. I’ve never been in a car that sounds so well before. I give it a 9 out 10 because I’m sure we can find a better sounding car somewhere, but as of right now, to me, it’s the best sounding I’ve ever been in/driven/seen. It’s THAT good.

Acceleration - 7/10

This note is largely helped by the engine noise that goes with it. It’s not that fast, but it feels somewhat fast-ish, thanks to the 6 cylinder concerto in your ears. At the time, Autocar recorded a 0 to 60mph time of 8.1s. Keep in mind this is a 1967 car. It was considered insanely fast at the time and still today it’s faster than a huge majority of cars on the road.

Braking - 5/10

Again, it’s a 1967 car, what did you expect?? It does have disc brakes on all four corners which was a rarity on cars back then.

(The only reason this picture is here is because I didn’t take enough for the whole article and the car is on a ship right now, somewhere between the UK and Japan, therefore I can’t just go out and take some more)

Ride - 8/10

Being a touring car, it’s very confortable. Much better than anything I have owned actually! Suspensions are fairly soft yet the car doesn’t have much body roll. I’ve been very impressed by the general confort. I drove all the way back from Luxembourg to Bretagne in France where my parents live (800km) and not once did I want to stop because my back hurt or anything. The great combination of good seats and great suspensions make this car an awesome long distance tourer! The only little problem for long distances being the.....

Gearbox - 6/10

What were they thinking!!!! This car is a grand touring car. It’s supposed to be built to cruise around at 100/120 kph on long straightish roads by the sea. So let me describe you this gearbox: if you decide to drive sportly in the mountain or in the country side, it’s pure awesomness!!! But do a little trip that requires you to take the freeway, it’s quite terrible. At 130kph (80mph), the car does around 5000rpm in 5th gear. So if you have to do a rather long trip like, I don’t know, Luxembourg —-> Bretagne, you spend 8 hours in a car that screams non-stop at 5000rpm. What were they thinking! Since the difference between 4th and 5th is only something like 500rpm, why the hell didn’t they use the 5th gear as an overdrive and make trips and gas consumption a lot better?? Oh well, it’s an italian car afterall. It didn’t leave me stranded on the side of the road despite the constant revving the engine has to endure so I won’t complain too much. 6 out of 100 nonetheless, because when you DRIVE the car it’s just awesome! The gearbox itself is also very smooth and easy to use. Synchros everywhere.

Handling - 7/10

It’s actually fairly good! Don’t expect it to handle like a modern car, but it’s really pretty good. The chassis is quite solid, weight repartition is good and make the whole car safe under braking or corner exit (normally but not excessively understeery). Don’t expect to slide out of hairpins, the open differential only creates wheelhop. At higher speeds, the rear tends to be a bit floaty in faster curves due to the suspensions being fairly soft/outdated and having a hard time coping with the speed, the height and the weight of the car. At very high speeds everything stays extremely stable, but due to the old school suspensions, make sure the road is clear and straight before attempting a top speed run. It will not enjoy any evasive manoeuvres... Top speed is around 200kph (120mph) limited by the gearing (or so I’ve read ;) ).

Enjoy this little video of a friend of mine trying out the car (of course it’s not me! :) ).

Value - 9/10

Prices are climbing high and fast on these ones. Nice ones are being sold for around 45000$ and it won’t stop there. Ferrari + Bertone in a car that is still somewhat affordable for now? Heck yeah!!! This is the kind of car which’s value will double within 5 years for sure. Very likely one of the best investment you can make in a car today, all that for a reasonnable budget. Go for it while you still can.

Total - 69/100

And no I didn’t chose 69 on purpose. Fairly low general score due to it being compared to modern cars/standards and such. If I were to give it a personnal “what rate should it really have?” grade, I would most likely rate it close to 90/100 due to how great it is to drive and how awesome it sounds. It’s a car meant to be driven and enjoyed. Pure moments of fun behind the wheel!

LongbowMkII > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 10:24

1

That is some short gearing. Sounds like a great classic GT otherwise, price is right too (relative to other similar cars).

Garrett Davis > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 10:26

20

stoke > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 10:26

3

Great car and a great review. Good luck with it! I love how the steering wheel (gorgeous, by the way) points pretty much at the sky, just like in my much more pedestrian 124 Spider.

One comment on the review itself... I know you’re excited, but dude, you gotta be a little more restrained with the exclamation points.

Garrett Davis > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 10:29

9

Absolutely gorgeous interior. Man, is it getting hot in here or is it just me.

Flavien Vidal > stoke 07/10/2015 at 10:29

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haha, that is my restrained-exclamation-points version of the review actually :)

Bunty Brown > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 10:30

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Thanks for the write up and video. I'm more than a little jealous!

felixthegrumpycat > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 10:38

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Awesome article, Flav! Thats why I used to say “The answer is always Fiat Dino!”, unfortunately also to the question “Which car has insanely high engine maintainance prices?”, so now the answer is always Lancia Fulvia for me. Love the Dino nonetheless and you are an enviable man. Cheers!

Flavien Vidal > LongbowMkII 07/10/2015 at 10:40

9

It’s WAY too high... No wonder old Ferrari engines scare the shit out of everyone if they are geared that way! (Yeah I know, new ones scares the shit out of everyone too...)

My car was sold with this:

Advise from the last owner: “Yeah, it’s better to have it around with this kind of car...”

StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 10:41

1

Damn thats a big boot.

Flavien Vidal > Garrett Davis 07/10/2015 at 10:41

2

It’s hot in there too... and not just figuratively Temperatures rarely dropped under 30 degrees during the whole time I was in France. The high revving warm engine + the gas smell + the heat made long trips VERY hot :)

2cvhoonage > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 10:42

3

This is absolutely excellent.

Bret > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 10:43

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Congratulations on a great car! In my mechanicing days we had a couple of clients with these. Beautiful cars. I always wanted one because I thought it was a classier looking alternative to the Alfa GTV6 (I was 18 at the time).

The Dino Spider is similarly amazing. Even though the Spider is lovely, i’d choose the coupe. The coupe is so sinister and understated.

Have fun and drive the hell out of it.

Flavien Vidal > felixthegrumpycat 07/10/2015 at 10:43

0

I won’t keep it very long... I’ll keep it a little here in Japan, but I bought it for a friend here. It’s on its way to Japan right now and it will never be too far from where I am :)

Garrett Davis > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 10:45

1

I’m gonna go out on a limb here and assume you weren’t enjoying the cool breeze of A/C either. Just a hunch.

Flavien Vidal > Bret 07/10/2015 at 10:45

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The Spider is also a lot more expensive! And same here, I prefer the Coupe to the Spider. I will own a GTV6 at some point too... I’ll install an aftermarket LSD on it though. It deserves one :)

Flavien Vidal > Garrett Davis 07/10/2015 at 10:46

4

haha, yeah. No A/C in late 60’s Italian cars ;)

They had enough problems with other electriucal stuff already, like, you know, ignition and stuff :)

Datsun73 > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 10:51

8

When I was in Japan I saw what I thought was a Fiat Dino Coupe. The Izusu 117 certainly fooled me.

Flavien Vidal > Datsun73 07/10/2015 at 10:52

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Yes!!! Beautiful thing!! My friend has one too ;)

This one:

Datsun73 > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 11:01

2

They are really pretty cars. I actually considered buying one in Japan and bringing it back to the U.S. but I couldn’t find any that weren’t rusted away. I ended up bringing back a Toyota Century, which is arguably a better more reliable car. The Izusu are rare and parts can be a nightmare to source, from what I’ve been told. I’m sure your friend has told you.

desertdog5051 > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 11:05

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Excellent. Well done, Flavien. I know you are a serious writer, this post was a great one, IMO. The video was icing on the cake. Thanks.

The Compromiser > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 11:06

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The trunk is quite big and two and half average sized dead prostitutes can fit without too much trouble.

Ahhh, but what to do with that last half... One of life’s great mysteries.

Ghoulardi > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 11:08

0

I have always preferred the styling of the Coupe over the Pininfarina designed Spyder. I’ve been pining for one of these since the early 80’s when there was one with a seized gearbox parked down the street from my house. It sat there, for sale, for many, many years. I am pretty sure it was acquired in the 90’s when the engine was pulled and the rest of the car went to the crusher - - a sadly common fate for these cars.

Poundingsand > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 11:18

0

Designed with heel and toe in mind!

Flavien Vidal > Datsun73 07/10/2015 at 11:19

1

Well since I live in Japan, it’s fairly easier from here :)

Poundingsand > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 11:19

1

Fiat with a Ferrari engine...and no picture of the engine??? :)

Great write-up though.

Flavien Vidal > Poundingsand 07/10/2015 at 11:21

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Yes, I know... Quite stupid of myself :)

BigEgyptian1 > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 11:21

0

Beautiful car!

If I was buying a Dino, I would definitely buy this over the Spider, such a good looking car!
This, coming from someone who thinks a ‘fun’ car should be a convertible.

Interestingly, yours is the first I’ve ever seen with those tail lights. All the ones I’ve ever seen have smaller ones like this one on eBay:

Fiat Dino - eBay

I think you’re spot on regarding value/pricing; I’ve been keeping an eye on them for a few years and every time I check back, they’re getting more expensive.

Thank you for sharing the pics / review

Rwlong > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 11:22

0

Exact model my Bother in-law brought back from Sicily. I already loved cars this just rocked my boat. Did you find the switch for the highway horn and in city horn! Loved that !

Datsun73 > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 11:22

0

Nice! I lived in Misawa-Shi in Aomori Prefecture for 3 years. I just moved back to California last September. Already miss Japan dearly. The food and culture are the best.

Nico DeMattia > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 11:25

4

Absolutely gorgeous, man. Congrats! My jealousy meter is through the roof.

Flavien Vidal > BigEgyptian1 07/10/2015 at 11:29

0

Well spotted :)

Tail lights are not from a Dino. It got into a small fender bender long time ago and these lights were used as replacement.

I don’t know what car they come from...

Poundingsand > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 11:30

1

You have this car, so I beg to differ! :)

Flavien Vidal > Datsun73 07/10/2015 at 11:33

1

I’ve never been that far up there but mount Iwaki is on my “to drive” list :)

Flavien Vidal > Rwlong 07/10/2015 at 11:36

1

Haha or how to open the hood?? Look deep inside the glove box of course :)

Love this car!

Flavien Vidal > desertdog5051 07/10/2015 at 11:39

1

Thanks man :)

I appreciate it...

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 11:41

0

Considering the gearing, how bad was the fuel economy?

Flavien Vidal > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 07/10/2015 at 11:46

2

12L per 100km, freeway only... :)

Jonee > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 11:47

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This is an epic steering wheel.

Flavien Vidal > Jonee 07/10/2015 at 11:48

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Pretty bad with sweaty hands but indeed stylish and good looking :)

Cé hé sin > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 11:50

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Which isn’t that bad, considering.

WiscoProud > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 11:50

1

That might very well be the biggest shifter boot I have ever seen.

Bret > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 11:51

0

I’m torn between a GTV6 and a Milano Verde (what a 75 3litre is called in the States). The Milano offers a usable back seat and LSD, but doesn’t look like the GTV6.

I wonder if I could get spousal approval based on it being practical instead of being another two seat sports car?

AntiLag > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 11:51

0

This sounds a lot like an NA/NB maita aside from the glorious sound

Flavien Vidal > Bret 07/10/2015 at 11:55

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If she doesn’t mind gas smell... My wife gave up after 500km, feeling nauseous. She transferred in my dad’s car who was convoying with me back from Luxembourg. 60’s cars are... Full of smells :)

Flavien Vidal > AntiLag 07/10/2015 at 11:57

0

And the nimbleness... Lol

Britt > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 11:57

0

Is that 2 and a half dead American Prostitutes or dead European Prostitutes?

Jonee > Datsun73 07/10/2015 at 11:57

1

That car was designed by Giugiaro and came out at around the same time as the Dino, I believe. He had just left Bertone, so there may have been some cross pollination.

MozziG > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 11:58

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The problem with the Dino is that they never built it in RHD so I cannot import one here...

Flavien Vidal > Britt 07/10/2015 at 12:00

1

European of course!

Half an American one or 6 and 3/4 Japanese ones.

Flavien Vidal > MozziG 07/10/2015 at 12:01

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??? Really? Where do you live that bans LHD cars on all imports??

Bret > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 12:03

6

My wife loves our ‘60 Austin Healey 3000. Any drive in that car leaves you sweating and smelling of oil and both burnt and unburnt fuel.

An ‘80s Alfa would be a luxury car in comparison.

R W > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 12:04

1

so....how much?

Maxxuman > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 12:05

0

“The trunk is quite big and two and half average sized dead prostitutes can fit without too much trouble.” Probably three in Japan then...

Nice writeup and a nice car. Is the new owner planning to restore it?

Flavien Vidal > Bret 07/10/2015 at 12:06

0

She would feel right at home with the Dino beloved me :)

Love the Healey BTW. Beautiful thing! Never got to drive one yet though...

Flavien Vidal > Maxxuman 07/10/2015 at 12:08

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It will look like new yes... This guy is gonna be the next owner so.... :)

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/eiichi-amano-a…

Flavien Vidal > R W 07/10/2015 at 12:09

0

I paid 18700 euros for it.

humz > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 12:19

10

Your dead-prostitute metric has to be the best way to measure trunk size, and frankly should be used as an industry standard.

observationisstillkey > Nico DeMattia 07/10/2015 at 12:32

4

R.S.D. > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 12:47

2

Wow, factory original dust...

Maxxuman > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 12:47

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So does he restore and sell them? All the ones in your photos seem to be works in progress that he’s perhaps doing for other people.

FIlandro > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 12:55

10

No accountants were involved in calculating how much shifter boot leather was required.

zipfuel > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 13:22

0

So if this one is only for a friend what did you buy?

Ninja edit: never mind I just checked your page, that’s an evil looking RX7 - haven’t been on oppo much lately, I plead baby...

Aldairion > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 13:45

1

That exhaust note is giving me goosebumps. Absolutely fantastic!

Wake 'n Take > WiscoProud 07/10/2015 at 14:06

1

They have a procedure to take care of that now...

http://jezebel.com/the-labiaplast…

Andrew T. Maness > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 14:08

1

This is going to be a very fun story to follow, thanks for sharing!

Berang > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 14:10

0

Maybe the gearing is so low so you can tow a camper with you when you tour. ;D

MozziG > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 14:25

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Mauritius Island, LHD cars have been completely banned since 1994.

Second-hand cars can only be imported if they are less than 48 months old but recently they introduced to possibility of importing cars that were registered before January 1st 1970.

And you do not have to pay import duty on such “Vintage and Classic Cars” (the official name), unlike “normal” ones where duty varies from 55% to 100% depending on engine displacement (with the exception of pickups, 10% for single cabs and 20% for double cabs). There’s still 15% of VAT to pay though.

For example, compared to other performance cars, importing a HSV Maloo from ‘Straya would end up being pretty cheap.

I have been scourging South African and Australian classifieds for quite some time now, looking for interesting pre-1970 stuff...

WiscoProud > Wake 'n Take 07/10/2015 at 14:58

0

lol touche

RallyWrench > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 16:11

0

Wonderful! How long will it be in transit to Japan?

Jobjoris > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 16:23

1

DUDE, AWESOME!!!!!

But what happened to it’s rear-lights? These are not supposed to be there!

If you need parts let me know.

Dr Jim > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 17:23

1

Flavien -

Thanks much for the lovely video complete with the most appropriately roarty noises - the Dino coupe remains one of my favorite small GT’s, right up there with the ASA 1000.

However, please do us both a favor - before you embark on any serious mechanical work, DO put on a filtered dust respirator and then take a magnet to check the brake rotors.

If they are magnetic, feel free to remove your respirator and begin cursing me ...

OTOH, if they’re not magnetic, then there’s a very real possibility that they were cast from a beryllium/aluminium alloy - which offered much improved heat dissipation, lowered unsprung weight, and had great wear characteristics.

Unfortunately, beryllium is also an extremely toxic carcinogen - microgram exposure levels are considered hazardous - modern asbestos-free pads will wear away the rotor’s protective plating, and ablate the underlying alloy creating a very fine dust.

Don’t panic - even if your car has these rotors, there are ways to lower exposure and mitigate your risk - wear gloves and a fine-particle respirator, thoroughly clean the suspension and wheel well areas, and dispose of the waste products appropriately.

Most of all, be aware that your car may have this issue, I don’t know how many units were made with these brakes, but the one that poisoned me was an early 1967 coupe.

Cheers & enjoy the drive...

Jim

Flavien Vidal > Dr Jim 07/10/2015 at 17:52

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Damn... I’ll definitely take a look when the car arrives in Japan. Thanks for the tip!

What were the consequences of that poisoning for you?

Flavien Vidal > Jobjoris 07/10/2015 at 17:54

2

It got into small fender bender many years ago and the lights were replaced by these ones that are indeed not stock Dino tail lights :)

Flavien Vidal > RallyWrench 07/10/2015 at 17:55

0

It’s scheduled to arrive August 9th. It will probably be a few days late though.

Flavien Vidal > zipfuel 07/10/2015 at 18:00

0

Yes, I’m getting the rx7 unicorn and also a 911SC that will be ready early next year.

Jobjoris > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 18:01

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The originals are the same of the Miura. Those will cost you dearly. But will look so much better. I think I’ve got some 2400-rear lights laying around somewhere but those are different from the 2000 as well.

Oh that sweet V6. It screams to you.

Flavien Vidal > Berang 07/10/2015 at 18:02

0

There goes the “classy” side of the car :D

Flavien Vidal > Maxxuman 07/10/2015 at 18:06

1

A bit of both... He flips cars to finance his life and collection. He does 5 to 6 full restoration per year, with some longer projects from time to time (Like a Maserati Borla that will take him a couple years to restore for example)

Flavien Vidal > MozziG 07/10/2015 at 18:11

0

Damn, that sucks... No more Dodo and no more LHD cars :(

Can you modify a car yourself into making it RHD though??

x87172 > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 18:11

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Great post, thanks so much for sharing. Probably the best review I’ve ever read on Oppo.

Flavien Vidal > Jobjoris 07/10/2015 at 18:30

1

Yes, I know, they are definitly NOT cheap...

I’m also looking for a Dino wiper motor + assembly if you happen to have that laying around?? It’s for another Dino and it’s quite a mess to find...

Flavien Vidal > x87172 07/10/2015 at 18:31

2

Thanks man, I definitely appreciate the nice words :)

Dr. Strangegun > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 19:13

0

For our American readers, the gentleman just espoused the French temperatures rarely falling below 86 degrees fahrenheit.

Dr. Strangegun > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 19:18

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I used to work where there was a potential beryllium oxide hazard. From what I gather, initially it will make you feel like you’ve contracted tuberculosis (indeed, this is a false diagnosis), and is sensitizing so each exposure is harder than the last.

At it’s worst you can literally sit/lay down somewhere and drown.

Dr. Strangegun > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 19:23

0

I fully understand the difference in age, purpose, and lustiness... but you’re telling me that if you were smacking the redline down the highway at 120mph worried the poor thing would explode any second, I could have slowly oozed past at a delta of 5mph in my 1984 Thunderbird V6, turning all of 3500rpm and still quiet enough to have a conversation?

And that I still would have turned my head and gone “Wow, a Dino!”?

Flavien Vidal > Dr. Strangegun 07/10/2015 at 19:45

0

I highly doubt this remarkable piece of american engineering could even think about reaching 120mph... But yes :)

(Holy crap just checked and 110hp out of a 3.8L V6!!! and with a 3-speed auto!! Impressive my friend :) )

Dr. Strangegun > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 19:56

0

Since the statute of limitations is long past, I’ll personally confess to having attained and held that velocity, on a remarkable day (very little traffic, overcast with great light and vis distance), southbound I-75 through the entire state of Kentucky. It’s not HP that defines your top end, it’s torque, and the mushmotor (120hp, btw) had 205lbft at 1600 rpm.

Direct drive/lockup transmission, a 2.73:1 rear ratio, tall 225/60-15 tires, and a Cd of 0.35 helps too :)

BTW, the calm nature of the car wasn’t alliteration either, I had a passenger on board who literally slept through most of the trip. Cincinatti OH to Knoxville TN in a little over 2.5 hours, roughly 250 miles (400km). Given I slowed down for TN and got slowed down in Ohio (traffic), the average holds up.

extraspecialbitter > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 20:32

1

completely green with envy. congrats!

zipfuel > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 20:46

0

Well you don’t fuck about do you :)

Look forward to reading more, you’ve basically got a good set of Initial D villain cars:

“In the Tokyo underground racing scene he’s known as the French Connection...”

Flavien Vidal > zipfuel 07/10/2015 at 21:10

0

haha

can’t wait to get proper cars again... I’ve been stucked with a Toyota Passo and a Suzuki Alto for almost 10 months now. It starts getting on my nerves lol

I had to save for the Dino and the Panhard so I couldn’t spend on cars until... well, until now :)

zipfuel > Flavien Vidal 07/10/2015 at 21:13

1

I look forward to you and Kat arguing about automotive investment strategy: she’s advocating spending nothing to keeping a fully depreciated car running forever while you’re sinking a bunch into temperamental bargain cars that’ll appreciate. Discuss...

Flavien Vidal > zipfuel 07/10/2015 at 21:38

0

haha keep in mind I won’t keep the Dino very long :)

I’ll probably buy another one for myself to keep next year though. As a fun investment.

While the Rx7 is not exactly reliable, the Porsche shouldn’t cost me too in term of maintenance. I also have the right friends to help me take care of those cars for a much smaller cost so... :)

Kevin Rhodes > Flavien Vidal 07/11/2015 at 01:31

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The GTV6 sound even better. I had one for a few years, will likely have another one at some point.

How is it that Italian V6s sound so fantastic? American and Japanese V6s sound utterly terrible!

Jobjoris > Flavien Vidal 07/11/2015 at 02:49

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I got a new wiper motor at superformance a while back. They’re great. I’m part of the Dutch Dino register and we all have parts laying around, just make a list and I’ll see if there’s something for you.

Flavien Vidal > Jobjoris 07/11/2015 at 03:08

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That’s awesome really! As of right now, I’ only looking for a wiper Motor + assembly for a Coupe... If you can find one, that would be truly awesome! I found one at some point but through a private party and the guy wanted close to 1000€ for it, shipped to Japan. So at this price, I decided not to buy and hope for the best later on...

I came around Superformance in my search, but they only had wiper motors for the Spider. I might end up calling them to know if they happen to have another one...

If you find a motor or an assembly for me, I’d be really happy, believe me :)

Jobjoris > Flavien Vidal 07/11/2015 at 04:16

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I’ll ask around!

MozziG > Flavien Vidal 07/11/2015 at 07:06

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The main source of Dodo fossils is actually located slightly less than 1km from my house!

Modifying a LHD car to RHD should be possible (unless I never found the law forbidding it) but most of the time it is not really economically viable.

By the way, as you live in Japan, if you ever hear of nice a pre-1970 Toyota Century or Isuzu 117 for sale... (Mazda Cosmo Sport too, but that would be slightly more expensive).

Flavien Vidal > MozziG 07/11/2015 at 08:40

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Finding one of the pre-1970 handbuilt Isuzu 117 will cost you dearly... Most likely around 25000$ before shipping.

I will see if my friend’s one is part of his own collection or if it is for sale. Not sure of the year exactly... One of the first handbuilt years for sure but they stopped making them 1 by 1 in 1973 out so... It might not be a model from before 1970...

By the way, since you’re in Mauritius... Tu parles français??

BTW, if you need rare cars from Japan, I can basically get you anything. The big unknown is the cost of shipping to Mauritius... Most likely expensive...

MozziG > Flavien Vidal 07/11/2015 at 09:29

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Oui, je parle français !

En fait je suis originaire de l’Île de La Réunion (j’habite à l’Île Maurice depuis une dizaine d’années), donc j’ai la nationalité française.

I have never really checked how much shipping a car from Japan would cost but almost every secondhand car imported here comes from Japan, it’s likely not extremely expensive.

To be honest, I probably would not be looking for something anymore if last month I had not missed a near-mint South African S1 Lancia Fulvia Coupe Rallye 1.3S... but it was first registered on January 1st 1970!

At least I still have South African rust-free MGB GTs or W108 S-Class as a backup plan, there is a steady supply of those.

Flavien Vidal > MozziG 07/11/2015 at 10:13

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Ah OK je suis français expatrié au Japon en qui me concerne :)

En tout cas si tu me donnes un budget, je peux essayer de voir ce que je pourrai te trouver ici... J’ai de bons contacts pour trouver de bonnes bagnoles ici.

Pour les frais de port, je sais pas trop... Pas de ro-ro vers l’île Maurice donc tu serai obliger de prendre un container de 20 pieds à toi tout seul... Je dirai que ça te coûterait probablement aux alentours de 3500 euros, voir peut-être même plus...

Les frais depuis le Japon sont très chers... À l’inverse j’envoie deux voitures dans un container de 40 pieds depuis l’Angleterre vers le Japon pour 2350 euros en ce moment même...