[212Export]

After the last Fled trip to Italy, driving in snow sun and ice, my Daytona came back rather "used", having encountered to small hits, one on the bonnet and another at the under rightside of the body. As I like to trust any repair to perfectionistic people (thanks to my insurance company who pays in such cases) the Daytona was finally delivered to me about 10 days ago after a 3 months (!) repair service. The body work took 6 weeks as the "modeler" used the time given to "perfectionise" the whole pop-up light construction, side-light-blinker glass and kautschuk area as well as preparing new footwell metalls on boths doorsides. The painter took 4 weeks to spray on 4 layers of colour (including some non accident-related areas which asked for some "perfectionism" work). In the meantime the heat-protection inside the bonnet had to be replaced as well and we
I went almost thick waiting so long after the initial plan was to have it back after 4-6 weeks. After all, I'm happy that the car looks great.
Last week, my mechanic gave it a big service, including adjustment of valves, distributers (changing the necessary parts), compleate carburator cleaning and setup and all the rest of usual changes of fluids. The only fault now is that the Oil filters are white instead of the at the time undeliverable orange one. But I can live with that. Carburator setup is now less "fat" than before and "feels" more torqier (whereas the previous fatter setup made sure that after doing a 1000km trip in a day, the cars rear end looked black and greasy). My mechanic told me that the fatter setup is a little more secure for the engine and valves as on my very long trips the accelerator pedal stays often for a longer term in same degree position instead of "fatting-up" the engine thru pushing and letgo as in town traffic....but the car is definitively torqier this way.

Here some photos after the repair.

[212Export]

In the meantime, we searched for a new heat protection inside the bonnet and found the only original one at Henk van Lith's "Italian car Interior's" business. (Onno already mentioned him some time ago). Henk is a great guy and helped a lot along the way. While the valve adjustment took place, the cam covers, collector heat plates and the chain protection were also painted. Sorry for the bad photo quality. They have been taken in a hurry because I could hardly wait and go drive "D" again.

[JazzyO]

Yes, Henk's the man! Glad he could help you out.

What a glorious day to get your car back! It's terrible to have to wait for it, especially with the lovely weather we've had this spring all over Europe.

Sounds like she's better than before, which is magnificent indeed! I hope you get to enjoy her on some lovely trips this summer, 212.


Onno

[Boxer]

Old "D" looks as beautiful as always. Great to hear that it is running perfectly again.

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

It is as if I am staring at a beautiful lady in her twenties...

She looks better than ever to have fun together again, 212. Congrats.
w/ smiles Jimmy

[colonel1961]

Beautiful! I would say 'as new', but the factory probably didn't have that 'depth' of paint!

[212Export]

Many thanks to all for those "supportive" comments.
Yes it was a "dry" time to wait to say the least. Have driven it about 200 km's since to check if all gauges are showing the correct pressures and heatings and checking all fluids again afterwards.
In June, 3 longer trips are planned (about 2500km's) and after that I should know if everything is as it should.

[Barry]

212
Delighted to hear 'D' is back home again looking magnificent and driving equally well. Glad to hear a happy ending to the small 'blip' in our otherwise wonderful FLED 5. Hope she sees plenty of sunny miles this summer.

[212Export]

Originally Posted by Barry

212
Delighted to hear 'D' is back home again looking magnificent and driving equally well. Glad to hear a happy ending to the small 'blip' in our otherwise wonderful FLED 5. Hope she sees plenty of sunny miles this summer.

Thanks Barry ,hopefully she will !

[wheels1]

She looks great, and a nice retro looking battery as well.

[212Export]

Just came back from a 1000km drive in France. "D" runned flawless....and France is just wonderful to drive the old machines .

[JazzyO]

Fun with the new machines too! Now that I'm in Jersey I get to visit France a lot, drove to Amsterdam a couple of days ago in the 335i, and of course the Cayman has been away and back too. In September the 550 is coming South via the Dordogne. Fantastic country, although the language is a barrier sometimes, I find. The French can sometimes look down on people who don't speak French well, in my experience. Nonetheless it is always a pleasure to be in France.

Glad to hear the yellow beauty has been giving you a joyous trip, 212. Great stuff! I hope the weather was a bit better than in Holland, the 330GTC got very wet yesterday... But she ran great as well.


Onno

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Originally Posted by 212Export

Just came back from a 1000km drive in France. "D" runned flawless....and France is just wonderful to drive the old machines .

Nothing but envy and respect with your relationship with "D", 212. She, most certainly, is happy with her new home. w/ smiles Jimmy

[212Export]

Originally Posted by JazzyO

Fun with the new machines too! Now that I'm in Jersey I get to visit France a lot, drove to Amsterdam a couple of days ago in the 335i, and of course the Cayman has been away and back too. In September the 550 is coming South via the Dordogne. Fantastic country, although the language is a barrier sometimes, I find. The French can sometimes look down on people who don't speak French well, in my experience. Nonetheless it is always a pleasure to be in France.

Glad to hear the yellow beauty has been giving you a joyous trip, 212. Great stuff! I hope the weather was a bit better than in Holland, the 330GTC got very wet yesterday... But she ran great as well.


Onno

I experienced some short rainfalls but nothing serious.

[212Export]

Originally Posted by wheels1

She looks great, and a nice retro looking battery as well.

Thank you. That kind of battery may be ordered by a specialist around here. But he told me that they are produced in Africa (??!) because of environmental production limitations in Europe.

[Barry]

Originally Posted by 212Export

I experienced some short rainfalls but nothing serious.

Nothing like Fled 5 so...

[212Export]

Originally Posted by Barry

Nothing like Fled 5 so...

No, not like Fled 5......