cabriolet : sun and leather

Sunny days are coming and I plan to drive through mediterranee cost and have small breaks along french and spanish spots. For You, US friends, Mediterranée area is like your Californian cost ( almost same weather, maybe a little bit hotter ).
So, I think I will open the cover of my cab. As it is quite a big process, I think I will remain the car in this position during all summer, that is to say 2 or 3 months here.
I wonder if the seat and board leather will appreciate this amount of Sun. Also if the cover can stay in open position during that period ( there was a subject about that).
What is your experience with that (especially you, californian people. This cab car is made for us, isnt it ?...). My leather is black and a little dry. I dont want it to become grey or white.
If necessary, I would have to buy some textile seat covers.
Have a nice summer, US friends ( buy the way, I am very happy to see that French and American friendship is in a better position now. That was a good position of our Sarkozy president, and on that point, I am 100% ok with him.

 

sounds like a great trip!

We live in Virginia and leave the top open all summer long, however the car spends most of its time in the garage. If we leave it parked outside we use the Spider top which protects all of the interior as well as the windshield....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib61f37Q9o0

FChatter Hank Sound developed it and sponsor Ricambi sells them.

When we put the top back up after the summer we find it has shrunk quite a bit, so we are careful not to break a latch (we have actually broken both of them). Once up the top will stretch back over time but it never goes back to its original size. Fine with us because we mostly drive the car with the top open anyway.

Bottom line, if you don't want your top to shrink and your rear window to have a permanent crease you will have to close your top at least once a week.


Enjoy your drive,
Dave

 

If you're referring to a Mondial cab, I understand it can be a hassle to erect/stow the top.

A couple of thoughts:

First, leaving the top lowered for an extended period may crease the rear window. I probably wouldn't leave it stowed for too long.

Also, while I haven't seen a tonneau cover for a Mondial, they are the best accessory every developed for convertibles and were very common on the old British sports cars, none of which had the convenience of power tops. You might also visit sponsor Ricambi (sponsors link above) to see if they have something similar -- I think it's called the Spider Top -- for your car. This would likely be much easier than closing the top every time you park in the sun.

The sun does tremendous damage to leather over time. Seat covers, and a DashMat cover, would help, but they tend to look bad.

EDIT: Looks like Dave beat me to it and provided the link.

 

Use a little Nivea on the seats and leather and they will be fine, the lanoline in it keeps the leather feed and helps to protect it.

Just remember the sun is very fearce down here in the south of France and whilst its a cool look to drive with the top down, i would suggest keep the top up and the air con on for the trips in between places and when you want to pose around town drop the hood then. Don't forget we have summer thunder storms in the evenings here as well, so without a roof you will add insult to injury when it rains.

In the winter here you can keep the hood off most of the time unless it rains but in the summer the sun will fry you in no time. I had my Quantum down here a couple of summers ago and hardly used it as i either had to get sunburn even with the lotion on or look like i was an extra from Laurence of Arabia!

My cars down here have targa tops and whilst it takes a little time to put them on and off its better than the lobster look!

Have a great trip

 

I've read a lot here about what a hassle the Mondial top is to put up and down, but I have to admit, I don't get it!

It's a very simple manual top. It goes up, it goes down. There is one bar you have to push back to make sure it folds correctly, but that's it. It is no different than any other manual cab top car I've owned.

I can have my top up or down in less than 20 second, easy. The leather cover on in less than 30, and off in less than 10.

Anyways, if you don't want to put it up and down, why not just throw a cover over the car if it is going to be parked in the hot sun for an period of time? Full cover can be thrown on in less than a minute.

 

I have a similar design to that with these exceptions:

1. Use soft underside, water resistant top in matching tan material: Not leather.

2. Use standard clips like that on rear pegs: Similar to that one / standard Ferrari style Tenax

3. I have an opening over the engine bay as I want the engine to cool. The space between the two wings is weighted with heavy fishing/lead line sewn into the seam.

4. I have a zippered opening for the driver to get access, so you might want to move the car a short distance: NOT meant for any real driving, just moveing to a diff. spot.

5. I have the front, go over entire windshield, Under front boot-lid [center is cut = v-shape to go around the boot clamp] and has three snaps fitted into the existing front screws: I didn't like the snap idea, but it works, I was first designing it to just be closed on by lid. I wanted to protect the rubber and had the other model where I found it was a bit short, and relied on the wipers to keep the front down = wind dust etc. might be a problem...no offense to Hank.

6. My Mirrors are covered I figured even though a bit more expensive, it would offer some protection and dress it up a bit, not to mention Clean mirrors

7. the side profile is a bit longer on the sides, but matches the upper rim of the door: Covers all leather.

rik we are waiting for the clips at the moment...here is my design: http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=221800&highlight=mondial+toneau+top

 

Since I tore my top I have been liberated from the annoying nuisance of putting one of the worst designed convertible tops up and down (at least until the end of the summer). As I have often said, I have OCD when it comes to this car so I never let it sit outside without Hank's Spidertop on. It is a great design and a really inexpensive way to preserve your precious leather.


Here is a photo, granted it was a bit windy at the time.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

As you, I hate the top. I use mine, or wife does...depends on who is driving which Ferrari of the day, as a daily driver. I need a QUICK/Easy means to protect the top as I want the engine to cool and then off for lunch or whatever.

Using the larger entire top/cover is too much for short stays after a trip: 'toneau' is great for quick covers, cooler engine without dust etc. getting on interior, and then quick store in passenger foot well or rear seat. etc.

for longer stays I put on entire cover, if knowing I'm staying for awhile.

rik

 

IMHO, the "spider top" is a must have for any Mondial Cab owner.
Also, since the two latches that attach the top to the windshield WILL EVENTUALLY BREAK (no matter how careful you are), getting a pair of upgraded roof latches from ronfrohock (do a search) should also be on every Mondial Cab owners must have list.

Cheers

 

I have driven both coasts both several times from Amalfi in one and SanDiego in the other from as early as 1962 to just a few years ago. The Med coast drive is not nearly as hot nor as cold as the US west coast route. I.e. it's less harsh, more moderate. I see no reason for concern or special attention to your car. Except, if your leather is drying, to obtain some Leatherique Rejuvinator oil and work it into the leather. But that's should be done in any case, not just for this trip.

I just learned something last month after driving my F-car several days of gas-stop-only 12 hr interstate freeway without benefit of windows...I caught a throat cold in the 90 degree weather because of wind chill factor (I guess). Too much of a good thing.

The only precaution I can offer is not to leave your car with anything visible inside, top up or down. If you must, use a lightweight blanket to obscure your contents. That goes for CA and IT.

I am envious for you as we've always thoroughly enjoyed the small towns along the way (and just off the main road) and the amazing scenery and friendly people. Take pictures for posting and share your trip, please.

 

I looked at Ricambi and didn't see a Spider Top for my 328 GTS. Does anybody know of something similar?

Thanks!

Tim

 

Your targa top




To answer your question, I have never seen anything similar to the spidertop for a targa car.

 

however, it should be a very easy item to have a person mfgr/sew

 

I have had greater success in avoiding the dreaded crease in the rear window of my Mondial t with the top down and the cover on by not connecting the two inside snaps (the two at the rear of the engine cover, nearest the rear seats). That process lets the plastic sit without being compressed against the lateral top stay. There is a bit more flapping of the top cover when driving but that does not seem to cause any damage to the plastic window. In any event the Spider Top cover is a must during the summer.

 

"[not connecting the two inside snaps]"
Very good simple idea. sometimes the simpliest things are the best and cheapiest ! thanks
What about using a UV protecting cream for the leathers. We, human, do it for our skin... I will look for such product for leathers.