| Author | Message | ||
| Mike Charness (Mcharness)
Member Username: Mcharness Post Number: 526 Registered: 8-2002 |
John: In the 308QV, the manual specially shows something different than what you were told. It shows pins up, straps down, though yes roof side forward. I presume that concours judge was just telling you his personal opinion... since all Ferraris at FCA Concours events are judged with the targa ON the car, not stowed. Or maybe the 328 owners manual shows a different position than the 308QV owners manual? Let me know. | ||
| John Delvac (Johndelvac)
Member Username: Johndelvac Post Number: 378 Registered: 11-2001 |
An FCA concours judge told me to keep the pins down and leather straps up, roof side facing forward. So that's what I do. | ||
| Mike Charness (Mcharness)
Member Username: Mcharness Post Number: 522 Registered: 8-2002 |
I have two targas for my 308QV. One is the original, and the second has been smoothed and painted body color (see picture in my profile). Regardless of which top I keep in the car (usually the painted one) I store it as the owners manual shows, which is pins up, top facing forward. However, there is nothing wrong with choosing to have it pins up, bottom facing forward. One thing that many owners get concerned about is if those pins will eventually punch holes in the vinyl cover if stored pins up, since it often seems to be a tight fit. I can tell you that after 18 years, my vinyl cover is still original and perfect. However, you can choose to slightly round off the tips of the pins if you choose. A dremel tool or file does it quite nicely, and if you choose to store your top pins-down, I would defnitely do this as the pins are more likely to wear through the carpet than they are the vinyl cover. Also, if your pins are broken or cracked, replacements are available and not expensive. I recently bought a replacement set from T. Rutlands in the Atlanta area. I like the idea of padded garage storage brackets. Not because I'd expect to go out without a top behind the seats, but for me because I have the spare targa. | ||
| Greg Owens (Owens84qv)
Member Username: Owens84qv Post Number: 788 Registered: 10-2001 |
Lee, I'm contemplating making some paddded brakets that I'll bolt to the wall. I'll rest the top in the brackets until I return to put the car back under cover. Since I'm careful to drive the car when the weather is nice (no rain clouds), I usually leave my top at home. | ||
| Mike Procopio (Pupz308)
Member Username: Pupz308 Post Number: 364 Registered: 10-2002 |
Here's a link to a recent relevant thread. Makes for good reading. http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/21/203016.html The roof storage issue seems to be like the toilet paper roll feed over / feed under debate. Of course, there is only one logical choice in the end!  | ||
| Henry D. Chin (Hanknum)
Junior Member Username: Hanknum Post Number: 129 Registered: 2-2002 |
We had this discussion quite a while back. It seems that we were split down the middle. Most everyone had the pins pointing down, but half had the top facing forward and half had it facing backward. IIRC, depending on if you look in the manual or other literature, you'll see it both ways. | ||
| David Prall (Davidpra)
Junior Member Username: Davidpra Post Number: 150 Registered: 2-2001 |
I keep mine in the living room --- honestly...makes a nifty coffee table --- but the wife isn't particularly amused! | ||
| Lee Pierce (Leepierce)
Junior Member Username: Leepierce Post Number: 93 Registered: 1-2003 |
Thanks, everyone...some good advice for a newbie like me. I tried the "bottom facing forward" last weekend and found that by sliding it toward the driver door, the seat could go almost all the way back. I just wasn't sure if there was something I wasn't seeing in the way of wear and tear that way. I hope to keep this topic current as I want to hear from the guy who says "yeah, I tried that, and something slipped, and it cracked the top in two..." I have noticed that if the vinyl cover is not over it, and the exterior surface is facing forward, the seat will rub it with a big guy like me in the driver's seat, so I've learned to give it a little more clearance... So far, so good, though, from ya'll's experience. They must be pretty durable. I haven't been using the vinyl cover mostly out of laziness; it stays in the trunk. Oh, and DES, I tried to fit it in the passenger seat and floorboard but no go; it took up the area over the gearshift, too, and ended up resting on my shoulder. The search continues... | ||
| "The Don" (Mlemus)
Advanced Member Username: Mlemus Post Number: 4661 Registered: 8-2002 |
Fred, you are correct. I have been storing it wrong for years. Matt | ||
| "The Don" (Mlemus)
Advanced Member Username: Mlemus Post Number: 4660 Registered: 8-2002 |
Fred "The manual show the top stored with the pins up." really? I need to try that...... Matt | ||
| Frederick Thomas (Fred)
Member Username: Fred Post Number: 712 Registered: 2-2001 |
I store mine behind the seat and always take it with me. The manual show the top stored with the pins up. | ||
| Stephen A. Thompson, II (Sat4re)
New member Username: Sat4re Post Number: 31 Registered: 2-2003 |
Lee, I'm 6'2. I store the top with the pins up and the inside facing forward. I detach the bottom cover snaps, and only have the top ones snapped in place. If I lose any leg room, it's only minimal. I just move the top around until I can get my seats to lock back. Stephen | ||
| "The Don" (Mlemus)
Advanced Member Username: Mlemus Post Number: 4637 Registered: 8-2002 |
Lee, I keep the top in the car with the pins pointed down and the top of the roof facing the seats. Replacements (factory) are about $1000. Chris from Valence is looking in to making one in CF. I do not store the roof in the garage due to accidents. It's safer in the car Matt | ||
| Jim E (Jimpo1)
Intermediate Member Username: Jimpo1 Post Number: 1790 Registered: 7-2001 |
I'm 6'1", and never leave the top out of the car. I lose a little legroom, but it's not uncomfortable. I'd rather have the top with me than have more legroom. Store it with the pegs down, latches up (and closed), with the 'inside' of the top towards the back. Others say turn it around so the out 'inside' of the top is against the seat for more legroom, but my cover won't fit on that way. | ||
| Mike Procopio (Pupz308)
Member Username: Pupz308 Post Number: 363 Registered: 10-2002 |
Nope, the only place it'll fit is behind the seats--it's a pretty big top! I always carry mine with me... Then again, I'm your typical short Italian, so there's legroom a-plenty! I usually don't use the vinyl cover, since it's on and off so frequently. | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Advanced Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 4028 Registered: 8-2002 |
Lee, it's not small enough to go behind the passenger's seat...? Do you usually go out with a passenger...? If not, can you just put it where the would-be passenger's feet would go or even on the seat...? Please forgive my ignorance, i'm unfamiliar with the dimensions of the top... | ||
| Branko Medenica (Branko)
Junior Member Username: Branko Post Number: 63 Registered: 3-2003 |
Lee, good questions....I would like to know the answers myself. If you don't get any reply, you might try moving your questions to Technical Q&A or ask Mike Charness. | ||
| Lee Pierce (Leepierce)
Junior Member Username: Leepierce Post Number: 92 Registered: 1-2003 |
I've driven my '78 308 GTS with the top off just enough to worry about it...I can't imagine what a new top would cost if it ever got cracked or even severely scuffed. I put it behind the seat sometimes but I hate losing the legroom. I leave it at home sometimes and carry a tarp with me, but that system strands you if it starts to downpour. Also, I worry about it at home with my 3-year old running around. I'm looking for advice as to what NOT to do, perhaps, and some good ideas about what to do with it. Oh, and what's the proper way to store it behind the seat? I've tried several, with and without the vinyl cover. |