Ferrari Dino 246 replica, JH Classics/Deon
 

Hi,

I have a J H Classics DGT which is a replica of a Ferrari Dino 246GT and is based on a Lancia Beta. I bought the car a couple of years back needing restoration (it was orignally built around 1990), I have now rebuilt it and am looking for any information anyone has on these cars.

From what I can find on the limited information available it would seem that J H Classics were taken over (or the moulds were sold to) Deon Cars but I can't verify this as they have also disappeared.

I am after any information that any one may have on these cars, if anyone has a build manual that I could borrow and copy (a long shot I know!), then I would be eternally greatful!

Any help that anyone can give would be really appreciated as at present I don't even know where the master cylinder comes from (as it doesn't seem to be a lancia beta one).

I have attached a picture of the car in an almost finished state (prior to the retrim and wheel centres being fitted.

Thanks fall all you help.

Regards

Andrew Smith

Dino
 

Hi Andrew, I was in a similar position myself aprox. 8 years ago. I boug, cheers MADMANht a Karma dino, this had Ford front suspension VW transaxle, and I fitted a 3.5 rover V8. so poss. they went down the same route?
I found out the man who owned Karma or RW cars was a man caled Roger Wolsey who was very hepfull and knew his stuff, I have looked through mountains of paperwok but can not seem to find his tel.no. if I come across it I wil contact you MADAMN

Its Roger Wolley and you should be able to contact him through his ebay shop I guess

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Karma-Kits_...Q3amesstQQtZkm

I have his number, but wouldn't give it out without asking him . It might be somewhere on his ebay pages

Rich

Hi,
If only people relised Deon DGT is not the same as the Karma, the Karma looks nothing like the DGT which was a more accurate Ferrari Dino Replica.

Andrew if you are still looking for a build manual I have the build manual that covers the DGT. Mirabeau and Scoperto. I also have a parts source list.

I currently have one of the Unfinished Deon Mirabeau and previously owned the only Deon Mirabeau with the 2.9 Cosworth V6 in it which I bought from the Isle of Wight. I sold this to a guy from Falkirk in Scotland.

I used to know a guy called Rob who originally worked for Deon many years ago and I sourced a number of parts from him but don't know if I still have his number.

If you want to speak to me about build manuals etc, send me an e-mail at ross (at symbol) a-dicarlo.fsnet.co.uk, doing it this way so I don't get so much spam. Also put the title as DEON KIT CARS in capital so I notice it.

I can supply you a fair bit of history on Deon and their cars.

Ross

Hi, I have an original JH Classics brochure for this as I have always been passionate about Dinos in their various configurations. I read the kitcar mags avidly about this car. I remember one artcle in the 70s which said the molds were originally taken from one of the earliest "Ferrari" models - the 1968/9 Dino 206GT. The 206 was very rare and quickly followed by the one we all know - the 246GT which was a few inches taller, although it was hard to tell by looking at it. I'm happy to scan and send a copy of the brochure and I'd love to get my hands on a copy of the manuals,
Cheers
Ross

deon
 

For information re deon cars 246 replica email me michael.pelling@tarmac.co.uk

Andrew smith
 

Andrew email me at micheal.pelling@tarmac.co.uk re deon 246

deon mirabeau
 

Can anyone help? I have a deon MIRABEAU and need the following info; front indicator and rear lights are Nissan. What model? Where does the windscreen come from? Did the SCOPERTO and the MIRABEAU share the same radiator?
Please send me a private message via the Forum or respond here if you can help.
Many thanks,

Gordon.

Hi Everyone.

Complete newbie to the forums here but I am hoping someone might be able to help me.

Since a small child (I'm 34 now) I have always wanted to build a kit car with my father. The kit I always wanted to build was the DEON GT.
My father and me talked about it many times and due to finances, family commitements, work commitments etc, we never got round to it.

Now over the years I had popped onto the internet and had seen (and had communication with) a company (whose name escapes me now) based down in Somerset. The cars looked good etc and I was just relieved that you could still buy a fantastic Dino replica. No offence but the KARMA ones just weren't true enough to the original for my liking.

Well my father turned 65 this year and semi retired. I also bought a house with a nice big internal garage and with some finances in place, everything was in place for us to fulfill our dream (Before my dads eyesight and health fail him too much further) to build a Ferrari Dino replica. :icon_biggrin:

I log onto the internet and to cut a long story short, I am both shocked and very dissapointed to find that not only has the company in Somerset gone under (Not that they were a nice company I gather from here), but NOBODY makes Dino replica kits !! :faint:

Is this true? Does anybody know what happened to the moulds? Any, and I mean ANY information a nybody can give me would be greatly appreciated.

After dreaming about building a "Dino" for 20+ years, to find out that I wont ever be able to is gutting to say the least.

Anyhow, enough of the sentimental claptrap. :lalala:

Can anyone help?

Thanks

Paul

No mention of going under on there web site.

http://www.classicreplicasuk.com/index.htm

That link doesn't work for me. :mmph:

With regards to going under, there are a few threads on Pistonheads complaining about a kit car firm that made Dino replicas based in Somserset that went under and quite a few people lost their money with them.

I assumed it was this classicreplicauk place because their website which I had bookmarked, was "Not found".

So are they still going and I just cant access their site for some reason (Rest of the internet works fine for me) or is it just an old site that hasn't been updated in years?

Cheers

Paul

Not just you Paul. Not working for me that site either.

Was working the other day when I posted that link.

Australia
 

I can still get their site but cant find them in any other listing or search. Their website looked promising.... so its a pity if they've folded.

A guy has just sold his DINO replica in Australia on ebay. He mentions that he has the original mould. A long way away but thought you might be interested?

Heres the link
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....MEWA:IT&ih=014

I also have a J H Classics DGT based on a Lancia Beta. You are correct in that J H Classics went out of business and Deon Cars started to make essentially the same car. I don't think Deon are around anymore but there is a company called Classic Replicas that makes a car very similar to that made by Deon.

I have a build manual that I can copy and send to you if haven't already got one.

Len

Sorry for not being back to thank everyone. Been busy with home DIY and school holidays etc.

Len, thanks for your offer with the build manual. That would be great.

Andy, I have sent a few emails to them and so far haven't received a single reply to any of them. Is this normal?
Is business thriving so much that they dont need to answer peoples questions? ;0)

Cheers everyone

Paul

Paul,

How can I get the build manual to you?

Len

I'm joining this thread a bit late I know! I too have a mirabeau. If you haven't already found them, the front indicators and (I think) the rear lights are nissan 100 nx and you can still get these at a dealer. Mine has the round lights at the rear.
I think they did share the same radiator but I used a Montego rad.

Also, Gordon, did I once buy some Deon leather seats from you in Datchet some years ago?

Cheers
Jon

The Dino Replica will be back on the market soon
 

There is a project currently in progress to produce a completely re-engineered Replica of the Dino. The new cars will be appearing on the market in 2009. I am responsible for this and have been for the past twelve months.

I used to own a Deon, infact its problems drove me to take this project on. I have had some experience dealing with the other company in Bridgwater in the past and would like to make it clear that I have a very diffecrent way of doing things. Whilst our car and the Deon are very different beasts under the skin I'd be happy to help anyone if I can.

We are based in South Yorkshire.

Hi.

Sounds like an interesting little project you have there.

Any details of the spec engine wise etc? Or is that staying the same?

A bit more information
 

The new car will be called a D2, we're doing the fixed roof and the spider as you'd expect. A couple of things that may come as a surprise are, the engines are longitudinally mounted Audi v6 rather than transverse and the suspension is multi-link.

The bodyshell isn't identical to the Dino but it is based on a full contour survey of an original.Whilst it wouldn't fool an expert anyone who's only ever seen pictures would be hard pressed to spot the differences.

We've still got a great deal of work to do and plenty of pitfalls no doubt lay ahead but we are aiming to have the first cars on the road next year. In the early stages we will only be offering turn-key cars so that we can control the quality and keep the numbers fairly low whilst still having enough work to make a living.

If anyone wants to know a little more or has questions about the Deon as I said in my earlier post I'll do what I can.

Sounds interesting..

Do you have a working prototype yet? Might we be seeing some of your creations at any of the shows next year or are you aiming at a different market?

Also, do you have a website or anything we can take a look at?

The prototype is well under way. The body shell is almost finished and we'll be starting mold production shortly. Our first generation chassis is waiting for the first shell to come out of the molds and no doubt when it arrives we'll need to update the chassis. Thiere isn't a website, infact we're consiously not advertising until we've got a working proto-type.

The market we are aiming for in the initial stages at least will be turn-key, factory built cars only. I'll let everyone who a bit more as soon as we can.

I haven't been involved in the manufacture of the Deon or any revamped version of it. I bought a Deon myself a few years ago and learnt a great deal from it but when it came to designing my own car I started from scratch.

All's going well,

The first parts of the bodyshell are due to go to the moulders at the start of next week. Its expected to take a good 3 months to complete but we're still looking good for a full prototype this year.

We've encountered a lot of technical challenges. For example, the front suspension system has been completely redesigned because of issues we discovered during testing. So at the moment the front of the chassis is being removed ready to be replaced. All part of the process lol.

I'd love to share some pictures once things are finished and tested to our satisfaction.

Regards

Tom

Ferrari Dino 246 GTS replica
 

I have just purchased a 246 Dino replica from Classic Replicas based in Bridgwater, Somerset. It has taken 2.5 years to build and was delivered on a trailer two months ago. Not at all happy with the finished article but don't want to go into specifics for legal reasons at moment. Can you tell me anything about the company and how it runs as I am worried about sending the car back to be sorted after parting with £26000 for this vehicle that cannot be used on the road!

Build Manual for Dino replica 246 GTS
 

I have just purchased a ferrari Dino 246 from Classic replicas. Would you be able to supply a build manual for this vehicle, based on the Lancia with the V6 motor?
Regards
Mark

Thanks Andy
 

Thanks for reply Andy and you guessed right.

Hi,

What are the problems you've experienced with the replica Classic replicas built for you?

Hi Crocus,
Unfortunately, the problems with the car are currently preventing it from being used on the road, even though it has passed the SVA and been issued the MAC. I am currently trying to resolve the issues with Classic Replicas and therefore do not want to publicly announce all the faults & issues on the forum yet! I can tell you that the vehicle is registered, taxed and insured which makes this whole situation even more frustrating.

JH Classics Dino 246 kitcar
 

Hi Andrew, I have the same problem as yourself. I have bought a JH Classics Dino with a 2ltr lancia engine. The car needs loads of work but I have no idea what some of the parts have come from donor wise. Did you ever track down a build manual or any parts info for the car, if you did I would be greatful to hear from you.

Regards Mac.

Hi,

I never did manage to find any info.

As far as i'm aware the rear uprights and discs are Beta front with the rear callipers fitted. I believe the front are Fiat 124/Lada.

The petrol tank sender is from a Mini Van/Estate/Pickup with an extra bit added on.

I really need to know where the radiator and wiper motor are from.

If you manage to find anything out let me know and I will do likewise.

Regards

Andrew Smith

The radiator is from an Allegro but requires some modification the part number is SM-001 and the wiper motor is from the back of a Fiat Panda. That's from the Build manual so the information is only as good as the manual. I can't vouch for it personally I've never had to test it out for myself.

If anyone else needs to know anything just give me a nudge.

Kind regards

Tom

Hi Tom & Andrew,

Looking at some of the paperwork & receipts that came with mine it would seem as though you are right. I have a receipt for recon lancia discs and callipers and front lada discs and callipers also the steering column is from a marina and I have heard that the wiper is from a panda. I need to change the front track rod end ball joints so I need to know what they are. Also none of the dashboard gauges work. I will post any info as and when I find out.

All the best
Mac.

HI Mac

Track rod ends are from a Fiat 132 part number 5995268, if you send me your e-mail address I'll scan the parts list and send it to you.

Kind Regards

Tom

Hi Tom,

Thankyou very much for your reply to my post and your kind offer to send me the parts list, I very much appreciate it. My email is brianr23@hotmail.com
I look forward to hearing from you.

Very best regards
Mac.

Hi Mac

Sorry about this but I've just found out my scanner isn't working with 64bit xp. I upgraded my pc a couple of months back and I never thought to check it until now. Soon as I get round to solving the problem I'll scan those pages for you but meanwhile anything you need to know just message me.

Regards

Tom

Hello Tom,
I have a JH classics Deon Mirabeau, i take it all the mechanical parts are the same.
Could you please email me a parts list also when you can.

Regards.

Seems that there are a few Dino builders/owners out there all needing answers to varous questions, would you guys be happy to have a dedicated section in the forum for your cars as per the Marlin 5Exi and Sportster rather than just a thread. Could either be dedicated to the JH/Deon Dino or broadened out to other Italian replicas.

What do you think?

John

Madabout

hi,new on here.Stumbled across this site while looking for pcd adaptors for dino wheels.I own the last deon to come from the deon factory-smuggled out after the company went into administration!!
Kit was stored for around sevenish years and I've been messing with it for the last seven as well!! will it ever be finished.If anyone wants any info I have loads-build manuals/parts list etc etc.
I intend to fit repro dino wheels but I have the lancia/fiat 124 (later lada) 4 stud so need adaptors to 5stud.Also any info on real dino stuff.
ian

Repro Dino Wheels
 

The place to get repro and used Dino wheels is Superformance, they have a good website (google will go straight to it). The PCB is 108 and the offset is as close as makes no difference to zero. They also do lots of Dino fittings but be careful not everything fits the Deon.

Kind Regards

Tom