Sebring 2 Restoration

[david-driver]

Hello

I’m restoring a 1965 Sebring 2. The car has been disassembled since 2002 but thankfully I look to have 95% of the parts. It is however a big if a jigsaw and I’m looking for help in a few areas.

Is there a member out there with a Sebring 2 that would be willing to let me take a look at their car for reference purposes? I’m base in London, work in Solihull and am happy to travel.

Equally, does anyone out have a set of detailed photos from a restoration of a Sebring 2 they could share please?

Many thanks,

David

 

[Graham Wood]

Hello David and welcome to the Club!

I am sure there will be someone out there who can help you (although the photos may be more of a problem!)

It would be great if you keep posting your progress with the project, and I am sure at some point we will see it at a Club event.

[david-driver]

Many thanks Graham,

Where would be the best place to post updates on the project incidentally? The car is being put back together in Poland by a Maserati specialist I’ve known for a few years. Hopefully back on the road for next summer…

 

[Tony Jaskeran]

Best wishes with the restoration, these can be challenging especially when you are doing it yourself. I did a non Maserati restoration about 25 years ago and needed a lot of patience when trying to get some obsolete parts.

Looking forward to seeing your progress.

My guess is that you could use this thread as it has the title and is under the technical section already. Someone else may come along with their view.

[Graham Wood]

You could also keep a diary of the restoration (words & images & costs – if you dare!) and use it for the basis of an article (or series of articles) to go in our Trident magazine – our Editor Simon Park would be keen I am sure!

[Eric Toft]

Hi David

I have a Sebring but it is a series 1. I is a well known car in the club and elsewhere and has won many concours, as much as anything for its original condition including worn leather. As I live in the London area (Chiswick) you would be more than welcome to come and look at it when you need but it is also fair to warn you that there are many differences between the series 1 and the series 2. In fact there are even plenty of differences within each series.

Meanwhile, welcome to the club.

[Eric Toft]

Hi David,

Welcome to the Club, I have owned my Sebing S2 since 2000, it has not been fully restored and it was far from perfect when I bought it so has had lots of work required to keep it running over the years.  It is regularly used on Club and other events although it is residing at McGraths at the moment for some engine work.

I would be happy to share my experience and provide any help I can.  Roger is quite correct that there are many differences in the detail even between cars that are only a few chassis numbers apart, they were basically handmade after all and they seem to have adjusted details continuously.

You can email me directly at [email protected] and all of my contact details are in the front of Trident magazine.

[david-driver]

Many thanks for these posts Gents,

Tony and Graham, I’ll update the build in this thread. I can also relay my experience of working with the Polish team which has been positive so far.

Roger your S1 looks stunning. The best looking 60s Maserati perhaps…

Jerry, I’d love to take a look at your car if that would be possible. I’ll drop you an email to your club email.

Thanks for your input and I’ll look forward to building a thread on the build here. I’ll start with a couple of posts on aspects of the car that are proving problematic.

David

 

 

 

[david-driver]

Here is a little background on the car I’m restoring. Its a 1965 (March) RHD Sebring 2 in Rosso Cordoba. Its was the 10th series 2 car built and the 2nd to be sold in the UK of 22 UK RHD cars produced. Registration DLK 4C.

The car was originally owned by Mr Duncan Reynolds, an early Maserati Club member (the Chairman at one stage I understand but I’m sure someone can clarify?). I understand the car was know in the club and I’d be very interested to hear from anyone who knew of the car in Duncan’s ownership. Any photos of the car in the archives would also be very welcome.

I am told that Mr Reynolds used the car until 1989 when he took it off the road for full restoration. He completed the restoration of the bodywork before he passed away in 2002. The car then changed hand a few times with the last owner completing a bare metal respray in the original Rosso Cordoba and restoration of the original leather interior which is in terrific condition.

I bought the car in the Spring of 2017 in disassembled form as per the photos in the link below:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/diz26fwt6cxi5kl/AAAXIr-8ukXMaan3HYScqz8Ha?dl=0

I’ve entrusted the rebuilt to my friend Rafal Platek in Poland. Rafal’s team have worked on a number of 3500 GTs and he knows his stuff, but this is the first S2 car he has tackled which presents its own challenges.

We are undertaking a full restoration. The engine, drivetrain and suspension have been fully rebuilt and attention is now moving to wiring, chrome and drivetrain fitment.

Predictably, there were a few components missing, such as a rear brake calliper with handbrake mechanism (any spares out there?). The door lock mechanism is also proving challenging and Ill post on this separately. I get regular photo updates of ‘shiny bits’ coming through the restoration process and being bolted to the car which I’ll share here going forward.

Any advice, guidance or critique from those out there with more knowledge and experience of the Sebring 2 is very welcome. My aim is to get it right, so if you see something that looks  ‘wrong’ do let me know!

Best

David

 

 

 

[david-driver]

The engine looked ‘fresh’ from the outside, but less so once opened up. New liners, pistons, head work etc have been completed

 

[david-driver]

Engine rebuild underway 

[david-driver]

Component prep

[david-driver]

[david-driver]

Drivetrain

[david-driver]

[Author]

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