Deon Dino

Author
Discussion

Petrus1983

Original Poster:

8,516 posts

161 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
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Does anyone have any experience of these? I looked at one about 10 years ago but it was on a Q plate which at the money they were asking put me off, another one has come along that's interesting me a lot. Am I right in thinking that visually they're almost perfect?

ChrisJ.

563 posts

239 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
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Petrus1983 said:
Am I right in thinking that visually they're almost perfect?
They're obviously moulded from a damaged car.
The body droops at both the front and back.

If any grp Dino body is visually perfect, it's the Cascu one.

Petrus1983

Original Poster:

8,516 posts

161 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
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Thanks, I'd never even heard of that company before now - some of their cars seem very advanced!

ChrisJ.

563 posts

239 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
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Petrus1983 said:
Thanks, I'd never even heard of that company before now - some of their cars seem very advanced!
Yes, to use a Ferrari donor, or to replicate the Dino/308 chassis isn't going to be cheap.

The ideal thing would be a Deon or (in this day and age) a Dehavilland Motor Company Dino with a body as perfect as the Cascu.

330p4

668 posts

229 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
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Have to say I looked at building one 20 years ago but IMO the chassis was torsion ally poor anthe rear top wishbone so short there was a massive camber change
Ian

Petrus1983

Original Poster:

8,516 posts

161 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
quotequote all
20 years ago is exactly when the one I'm looking at was built. I guess it's harmless to post it...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/k...

I'm only interested in it on aesthetics terms, rather than "I'm driving a Ferrari", as over the years I've been lucky enough to have access to nice cars - my father owned an original 246 and owned it for the same reason - but back then they weren't current day prices! I also appreciate I can get an okayish Porsche or a nice Caterham for the same price, so it's a bit mind boggling.

smash

2,062 posts

227 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
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Pretty sure the Deon was splashed from the original JH Classics Dino replica, and that was splashed off a 206 not a 246.

The significance? It's a shorter wheelbase and body than the 246 which is why the Deon looks too stubby

Moulder

1,463 posts

211 months

Sunday 26th October 2014
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The replicas always seem to have a very high centre console with a sharply angled bit at the back. This seems to be different from the original cars which don't have this.

ChrisJ.

563 posts

239 months

Sunday 26th October 2014
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Petrus1983 said:
I'm only interested in it on aesthetics terms, rather than "I'm driving a Ferrari", as over the years I've been lucky enough to have access to nice cars - my father owned an original 246 and owned it for the same reason - but back then they weren't current day prices! I also appreciate I can get an okayish Porsche or a nice Caterham for the same price, so it's a bit mind boggling.
I understand.
If these Dino replicas replicated the shape at least, then you might consider them.
Unfortunately they are far too wide of the mark.
Just for one more example of this; the 246 GTS in question has a one piece engine and boot cover, rather than the separate two covers of an original. Worse than that, it has an ugly clearance bulge built in. This area of a 246 body is (normally) one of its nicest features, so it's a shame not to replicate it.

As you say, there are much more accomplished cars to had for the same money, or less.
I know where I'd rather park that kind of money.

Petrus1983

Original Poster:

8,516 posts

161 months

Sunday 26th October 2014
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Thanks for your input guys - I'm going to park this idea, I'm lucky enough to have a 'toy' car I'll play with over the winter and see what Spring brings. Overall it's just too much money to still be a replica with question marks around it. I've seen a very nice MGR V8 for £8k less, so it brings things home a bit. I'll put this on the shelf for another 10 years!

ChrisJ.

563 posts

239 months

Sunday 26th October 2014
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Petrus1983 said:
I've seen a very nice MGR V8 for £8k less, so it brings things home a bit.
I reckon a nice RV8 is good thinking. A fair bit of R&D gone into it too.

Mere-Grand

26 posts

205 months

Monday 27th October 2014
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DeHavilland Motor Company is producing a very nice replica of the Dino 246 GT based on the... MG F / TF!

They look really nice... http://www.dehavillandmotorcompany.co.uk/default.h...

ChrisJ.

563 posts

239 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
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ChrisJ. said:
The ideal thing would be a Deon or (in this day and age) a Dehavilland Motor Company Dino with a body as perfect as the Cascu.

ugg10

681 posts

216 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
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Mere-Grand said:
DeHavilland Motor Company is producing a very nice replica of the Dino 246 GT based on the... MG F / TF!

They look really nice... http://www.dehavillandmotorcompany.co.uk/default.h...
That would go nice with the KV6 2.5l v6 rover motor in it - good for around 200hp on throttle bodies. More in keeping with the original.

smash

2,062 posts

227 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
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ugg10 said:
Mere-Grand said:
DeHavilland Motor Company is producing a very nice replica of the Dino 246 GT based on the... MG F / TF!

They look really nice... http://www.dehavillandmotorcompany.co.uk/default.h...
That would go nice with the KV6 2.5l v6 rover motor in it - good for around 200hp on throttle bodies. More in keeping with the original.
Jeez - if you ever took it to France I wouldn't hang around too long in Calais on the way back - you could hide a family of migrants under those wheel arches! #mindthegap


Edited by smash on Tuesday 28th October 21:50

Furyblade_Lee

4,107 posts

223 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
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Really liking that MGF rebody, would like to see a finished one in the flesh

jjmcclure89

2 posts

112 months

Saturday 8th November 2014
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Hi Everyone

Was wondering if anyone can give me some advice. Ive always loved kit cars and have a particular soft spot for old Ferrari replicas. The SRV12 and the Deon were the ones that really caught my attention. Obviously these companys dont produce these cars anymore have looked at the DeHavilland DVT GT online WOW! A bit confused though i know the Deon was previously J H Classics and when i typed Dino replica on google it looks like J H Classics is still around but looked at their car and it looks nothing like the image on the header strip which looks like the old Deons. Can anybody shed any light on this the DeHavilland version looks a lot like the old Deons but more accurate on the inside and looks like the outside has had a few tweeks aswell. I dont mind the MGTF base car as i have owned a VVC which was a real hoot. A bodykit would be easier but the images on their website dont look anything like the car on the main header which looks more like the DeHavilland or old Deon. Is this just creative licence or can i get the bodykit to look like the picture on the header.
Advice on these would be great as i really would love to build a Dino replica or if anyone relaunches the Daytona again one of those please.

Cheers

NCS TR3A

6 posts

123 months

Sunday 9th November 2014
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JH Classics bought the Deon Dino project and started making the kit. A few years ago they sold this the DeHavilland. At the time of selling they told the owners of Deharvard that they still planned to make Dino replicas but instead if using this kit method they planned to re body a MR2. So JH Classics still make Dino replicas but are now based on the MR2. I'm no expert on Dinos but whilst the JH Classic looks nice it doesn't quite look right if you understand. It's very near though and I'm sure most would be happy.
I beleive the owner of DeHavilland took a lot of time re-engineering the kit to take the MGF front and rear subframe and generally make the kit better. I have seen one in the flesh and it was very, very good. Must admit I'm very tempted myself. To me (not being an expert though) I really couldn't tell the difference between the real thing and DeHavilland. I know there are comment above that says the body was copied of a crashed car but I could not see how it was different. For me the ideal of having modern, simple mechanicals in a car that looks that good is very appealing. The fact they use the front and rear sub frames means all the suspension parts and geo. will be as MGF so no shortcomings of a small company trying the design the correct strength and get the right angle sets. Personally I wouldn't try to hide the fact it's a DeHavilland Dino, it's the look I like and the simple mechanics rather than people thinking I own a Ferrari.

Edited by NCS TR3A on Sunday 9th November 14:33

NCS TR3A

6 posts

123 months

Sunday 9th November 2014
quotequote all
JH Classics bought the Deon Dino project and started making the kit. A few years ago they sold this the DeHavilland. At the time of selling they told the owners of Deharvard that they still planned to make Dino replicas but instead if using this kit method they planned to re body a MR2. So JH Classics still make Dino replicas but are now based on the MR2. I'm no expert on Dinos but whilst the JH Classic looks nice it doesn't quite look right if you understand. It's very near though and I'm sure most would be happy.
I beleive the owner of DeHavilland took a lot of time re-engineering the kit to take the MGF front and rear subframe and generally make the kit better. I have seen one in the flesh and it was very, very good. Must admit I'm very tempted myself. To me (not being an expert though) I really couldn't tell the difference between the real thing and DeHavilland. I know there are comment above that says the body was copied of a crashed car but I could not see how it was different. For me the ideal of having modern, simple mechanicals in a car that looks that good is very appealing. The fact they use the front and rear sub frames means all the suspension parts and geo. will be as MGF so no shortcomings of a small company trying the design the correct strength and get the right angle sets. Personally I wouldn't try to hide the fact it's a DeHavilland Dino, it's the look I like and the simple mechanics rather than people thinking I own a Ferrari.

Edited by NCS TR3A on Sunday 9th November 14:33

ugg10

681 posts

216 months

Sunday 9th November 2014
quotequote all
Always like the Dino, probably my favourite Ferrari (also like the Ginetta G12 and the Darrian/Davrian so guess I like small mid engine, almost bout a Sculptural Engineering larini/GTM Balista).

These both look good kits but a word of caution, do not think about going to Europe as there are certain countries that take a dim view of replica kit cars and class them as forgeries and can sieze and crush them. Have a search for a couple of well known and publicised cases of a Ferrari 355 and a merc gullwing replica in Spain and Italy iirc.

As has been said, I would not stick yellow horse stickers all over it, celebrate it for what it is, a very good, mid engined sports car, nothing more.