Vignale spyder #504 restoration

That car is stunning!
Ivan - your garage looks cleaner than my bachelor kitchen.

 

Bernhard,

I currently do not know of any 3500 or A6 project cars. The pre-molded Vignale spyder windscreen seal would have not worked on this car. Fortunately the profile of the rubber was very similar and MIE had the rubber. Making the gasket was not too difficult. It was a good thing I kept the old seal as it provided us with the correct angles.

Ivan

 

Originally the floors had foam that was covered with a black vinyl. Over time the foam had turn into dust.

In order to avoid rust I did not want to put foam over metal. Instead the floors were covered with a heat shield material that goes by the name of Koolmat.

http://www.koolmat.com/

The front floors then received a layer of dense foam. It is the same material that was used on vinyl tops years ago and it does not soak in water. Black vinyl was the last layer to make it look like the original.

Ivan
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This is one very funky soft top frame. It took me some time to figure out how it works, especially since I had installed the spring supports incorrectly. It is unlike anything I have seen on a Maserati before. The soft top tucks away behind the seats similar to an Alfa Giulietta spider. Unlike the Alfa, this frame expands sideways as it is being erected. It is hard to describe how it works but one has to be extremely careful to do things in the proper sequence or risk damaging some of the chrome pieces on top of the door pillar. The webbing, padding and top bow materials are the original. Still need to have the soft top made and fitted.

Ivan
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The original silver plastic door covering was re-installed. This material matches the plastic on the inside of the door panels. The panels were hand labeled "Maserati N1" ... which I think is cool. The door panel leather was cleaned but essentially left as is. I much prefer to have the original panels than something that is new.

Ivan
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The foam inside the sun visors has disintegrated and the visors look flat and skinny. These visors probably were used on some other car as they do not look hand made. Any suggestions as to where to get replacements?

An alternative is to restore the originals. Only thing I can think of doing is to use a razor blade to cut along the molded seam that faces the windshield. Once the visor is re-stuffed then glue the seam back together. I am not really crazy about this idea. Any better ideas?

Ivan
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Ivan, I'm sure this has crossed your mind, but wouldn't it make sense this visor to be fabricated by hand. i.e. hand stiched? As we all know, "never say never" about "Maserati" building practices, but the visor doesn't look right. Maybe it's from a Lancia Appia Vignale, ALFA Sprint?


How about early 3500 GT visors?

I know SMS in Portland, OR. will fabricate new visors for you, but I know you want to keep it original. They may be able to re-foam your original and reseal them with their tooling.

...just my 2 cents.

~Trev

 

Ivan it looks fantastic. I love how you are using as many of the original components as possible. Did you use additional screws to hold the door panel on? My door panels are only held on by three or four screws. I considered adding additional screws to attach them better.

 

No additional holes were drilled. I used exactly the same number of screws and in their original holes. I am surprised your panels only have a few screws. Perhaps your panels originally had some internal clips in addition to the screws.

Ivan

 

I know the visors are correct since I have an identical set, in the same bad condition, from a 1961 Vignale spyder I restored years ago. On that car I had new visors stitched since I could not figure out how to fix the originals. Now almost 20 years later I am faced with the same dilemma.

I was not familiar with SMS. I will call them tomorrow and see if they can help me. Thanks for the tip.

Ivan

 

Ivan,

These guys are really the best at reproducing the heated seam vinyl visors. I have used them for my Lusso and several Maseratis and they get it right every time.

http://autosunvisors.com/restoration.htm

Chris

 

Chris,

This is great information! I called SMS earlier today and they are not really set up to do heated seams. It looks like thee guys do it all the time. I'll call them on Monday.

Ivan

 

Today was the first time the car has moved outside of a garage by its own power in the last 30 years. Granted it moved only about 30 feet since the brakes are barely working and the exhaust is held by plastic ties ... but it is progress.

Ivan
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A great moment and it looks fantastic!

 

stunning. congrats to you

 

Thank you for the nice comments. I appreciate the help and encouragement I have received from the folks on this forum.

With the hood now in place you can see how the bulge visually works with the windshield glass and instrument pod. Notice how the bottom of the glass gets hidden under the hood, fender and front of the door. Interesting concept but a design nightmare for the folks in the production line and most likely the reason it was never adopted.

Ivan
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Absolutely exquisite. Many congratulations.

 

+1

 

Congratulations on the first drive with the Spider, even if it was very short.

Thanks for sharing the pictures!

Ciao Marius

 

Ivan,
geee - don`t know that the exhaust system is that massive!

Ciao!
Walter

 

Way 2 Go!!!!!

I know that garage.

Ciao,
George

 

Walter,

The exhaust system is hanging very low since it is only being held by plastic ties. Once it is tucked in its proper place it will not look that massive.

I need to first fix the brakes then I take the car to a muffler shop and have the exhaust properly fitted. I live on top of a very steep hill therefore having working brakes is a very good thing. The price to pay for great mountain views are clutch unfriendly driveways.

Ivan

 

Thanks George !

Ivan

 

Ivan,
also the A-pillars look higher than with the standart version. Am I wrong?

Ciao!
Walter

 

Interesting question ... time to take out the measuring tape.

I doubt there is a single piece of sheet metal that is common between the early (504, 505, 673, 678) and standard spyders.

This is what I measured using 2779 and 504: From the floor to the top of the door. standard = 92mm, early = 86 mm. From the top of the door to the top of the windshield: standard = 34mm, early = 38mm.

The early car overall looks much lower to the ground even though the total height is only 2 mm less than the standard version. I think part of it is the visual effect of the early car sloping lower towards the rear.

Ivan