This is a read-only archive of the old Madabout Kitcars forum. New posts and replies are no longer possible, but every thread is still here to browse and read.
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.
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.
I worked for Classic Replicas in Bridgwater Somerset until 5 weeks ago, they are still trading, not very often will you get an answer when phoning though.
All the best
Andy Bennie
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!
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
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
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!
Sorry I can say no more than the fact that I do not work there anymore for reasons I would rather not go into.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 [email]brianr23@hotmail.com[/email]
I look forward to hearing from you.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
hi tom and thanks for the info.I'm actually trying to find wheel pcd adaptors to go from lancia 4/100 to 5/108 to take the dino wheels.
I did go another route and have some wheels hand cast that are part machined to fit the lancia hub,but to date cannot find anyone willing to finish turn them at a decent cost.Quotes of £1000+!!
I have seen a german engineering firm doing adaptors for around £65 a pair but they cant do ones I need.
ian
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 ross.
I remember this car from my many visits to kit car shows from 1996 to 1999.The first owner builder was a David Javan and it was hughly popular.I got to know him really well.Infact this car led to me putting the 2.9 24v cosworth engine in mine.If I remember correctly the air intake was in the boot? Was it still dark metallic red?
ian
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
Hi Ian, Do you by any chance have any wireing diagrams, I would assume that they all had a fairly similar wireing instalation. A previous owner of my Dino has had a play with some of the dashboard wires and some of the gauges do not work properly/at all. I could run some suplementary wires to get them working but I would rather sort out the wireing that is already there.
Thanks for any help.
Best Regards. Mac.