Re-bodying a Dino in an Aluminum body

SCM246 · 07-29-2010, 04:40 PM

As part of my research for qualified metal workers to work on my Dino restoration project I've come across a Dino Owner, Simon Leach, that had a rusty body (Dino GT #03664) that he removed it and replaced it with an aluminum body which he fabricated himself.

I found this most amazing and seeing it in person was very impressive.
Here is his contact info:

Simon Leach, Simon Fabrication
3190H Airport Loop Drive
Costa Mesa, CA
92626
714.335-5842

SCM246 · 07-29-2010, 04:43 PM

Here is the skin of one of the original steel doors, not much to work with so I can see why he came to the conclusion that he needed to replace many panels and doors.

SCM246 · 07-29-2010, 04:48 PM

Photo album of the restoration

SCM246 · 07-29-2010, 04:53 PM

The aluminum body formed and fitted to Dino #03664

mk e · 07-29-2010, 05:23 PM

Very cool!

Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS · 07-29-2010, 09:37 PM

Very impressive craftsmanship. Thanx for the lead, SCM246. All those curves and details must be a nightmare to deal with. Great to know that someone in Southern California can offer this kind of service.

There are a few highly skilled people here in Japan who can do immaculate work. However, cost is the problem. I wonder what the charges are over there ? Thanx again. w/ smiles Jimmy

JazzyO · 07-30-2010, 01:06 AM

Great to see cars restored to that quality. Applause!

Onno

Granucci · 07-30-2010, 12:03 PM

but here is another fine piece of AL work. This car was destroyed in a race Laguna S IIRC, and rebuilt by the owner as you see it: He is a well known master craftsman in the restore biz, and this shows it. Quite a master with the English Wheel as you can see.

I am glad to see someone do a great, even if one-off, Dino in Al as it'll be a great car for eternity.

JazzyO · 07-30-2010, 02:30 PM

Serious hijack, Rik, but of the right kind! Thanks for that.

Onno

Gcalo · 07-30-2010, 08:09 PM

Rik did that to his Mondial.

He's very adept at working in light metals!!!

He was into to heavy metal in his youth but has since made a major change.

SCM246 · 08-01-2010, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS

Very impressive craftsmanship. Thanx for the lead, SCM246. All those curves and details must be a nightmare to deal with. Great to know that someone in Southern California can offer this kind of service.

There are a few highly skilled people here in Japan who can do immaculate work. However, cost is the problem. I wonder what the charges are over there ? Thanx again. w/ smiles Jimmy

$75/hr

Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS · 08-01-2010, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCM246

$75/hr

Thanx, SCM246. I understand costs are figured in terms of number of hours for labor. For some reasons, business is less clear over here. Shops do not tell us in terms of number of hours. It is more like, okay, for this job,...it'll be around such and such. I have no doubt that the overall cost is higher here. w/ smiles Jimmy

SCM246 · 08-08-2010, 05:13 PM

Visited again and took more photos.

Some of the old parts which motivated the re-body, here is the original trunk lid

SCM246 · 08-08-2010, 05:55 PM

Simon with 03664 and a few tools he has made to shape and measure the new body so it is fab'ed the same as original.
A walk around view of the work

il Capolino · 08-08-2010, 06:36 PM

It never ceases to amaze me how man by hand can achieve these shapes out of flat metal sheets. I really wish I had that talent. I have never seen a body part like a front fender being shaped from scratch. I would love to see it.

My compliments to the artist!

Surface Master · 04-22-2012, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by il Capolino

It never ceases to amaze me how man by hand can achieve these shapes out of flat metal sheets. I really wish I had that talent. I have never seen a body part like a front fender being shaped from scratch. I would love to see it.

My compliments to the artist!

Simon, I am glad you are going to put the bumpers back on. It looks that way... right!!!

Steve Surface Master

07-29-2010, 04:40 PM	#1
SCM246 Owner Join Date: Jan 2010 Ferrari Life Posts: 311	Re-bodying a Dino in an Aluminum body As part of my research for qualified metal workers to work on my Dino restoration project I've come across a Dino Owner, Simon Leach, that had a rusty body (Dino GT #03664) that he removed it and replaced it with an aluminum body which he fabricated himself. I found this most amazing and seeing it in person was very impressive. Here is his contact info: Simon Leach, Simon Fabrication 3190H Airport Loop Drive Costa Mesa, CA 92626 714.335-5842 Last edited by SCM246; 07-29-2010 at 04:54 PM.

07-29-2010, 04:43 PM	#2
SCM246 Owner Join Date: Jan 2010 Ferrari Life Posts: 311	Here is the skin of one of the original steel doors, not much to work with so I can see why he came to the conclusion that he needed to replace many panels and doors. Attached Images

07-29-2010, 04:48 PM	#3
SCM246 Owner Join Date: Jan 2010 Ferrari Life Posts: 311	Photo album of the restoration Attached Images

07-29-2010, 04:53 PM	#4
SCM246 Owner Join Date: Jan 2010 Ferrari Life Posts: 311	The aluminum body formed and fitted to Dino #03664 Attached Images

07-30-2010, 12:03 PM	#8
Granucci Owner Elite Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: far and away Ferrari Life Posts: 5,039	Not to hijack but here is another fine piece of AL work. This car was destroyed in a race Laguna S IIRC, and rebuilt by the owner as you see it: He is a well known master craftsman in the restore biz, and this shows it. Quite a master with the English Wheel as you can see. I am glad to see someone do a great, even if one-off, Dino in Al as it'll be a great car for eternity. Attached Images Guide to the Galaxy: Don't Panic Rik -- LAH ! Current: 1990 Mondial T Cabriolet : Red/Tan 1995 456 GT 2+2 : Roso Metalizzato [Fer 311/C] & Tan Last edited by Granucci; 07-30-2010 at 12:38 PM.

07-29-2010, 05:23 PM	#5
mk e Owner Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: PA, USA Ferrari Life Posts: 2,396 Name: Mark	Very cool!

07-29-2010, 09:37 PM	#6
Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS Owner Elite Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Yokohama & Tokyo, Japan Ferrari Life Posts: 3,541 Name: Jimmy Chen Shiba	Very impressive craftsmanship. Thanx for the lead, SCM246. All those curves and details must be a nightmare to deal with. Great to know that someone in Southern California can offer this kind of service. There are a few highly skilled people here in Japan who can do immaculate work. However, cost is the problem. I wonder what the charges are over there ? Thanx again. w/ smiles Jimmy

07-30-2010, 01:06 AM	#7
JazzyO Owner Elite Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Jersey, Channel Islands Ferrari Life Posts: 4,281	Great to see cars restored to that quality. Applause! Onno

07-30-2010, 02:30 PM	#9
JazzyO Owner Elite Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Jersey, Channel Islands Ferrari Life Posts: 4,281	Serious hijack, Rik, but of the right kind! Thanks for that. Onno

07-30-2010, 08:09 PM	#10
Gcalo Owner Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Ramon, Calif Ferrari Life Posts: 3,613	Rik did that to his Mondial. He's very adept at working in light metals!!! He was into to heavy metal in his youth but has since made a major change.

08-08-2010, 05:13 PM	#13
SCM246 Owner Join Date: Jan 2010 Ferrari Life Posts: 311	Visited again and took more photos. Some of the old parts which motivated the re-body, here is the original trunk lid Attached Images

08-08-2010, 05:55 PM	#14
SCM246 Owner Join Date: Jan 2010 Ferrari Life Posts: 311	Simon with 03664 and a few tools he has made to shape and measure the new body so it is fab'ed the same as original. A walk around view of the work Attached Images

08-08-2010, 06:36 PM	#15
il Capolino Owner Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Switzerland Ferrari Life Posts: 1,023 Name: Capo	It never ceases to amaze me how man by hand can achieve these shapes out of flat metal sheets. I really wish I had that talent. I have never seen a body part like a front fender being shaped from scratch. I would love to see it. My compliments to the artist! Salve, Capo The bad news: Time flies The good news: I'm the pilot You cannot make life longer but you can make it wider and also much higher.

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