My 355 mini-Restoration story | Page 14 | FerrariChat

My 355 mini-Restoration story

Discussion in '348/355' started by treedee3d, Oct 20, 2011.

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  1. tcannon

    tcannon Formula 3

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    The finish line is in sight! :D Your attention to detail on your "mini" restoration is truly inspiring. There is a great lesson here for any of us who take on a big (or even small) project like this on our Ferraris. Take is slow, easy and have patience. ;) Great job!!!
     
    tcannon, Mar 7, 2012
    #326
  2. full_garage

    full_garage Formula 3 Owner

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    Wow you're getting SO CLOSE- Really an incredible job both by yourself and by the pros- Nice to see an unloved car get some love again.

    By the way- to late now but on the vents the plasti Dip or SEM Satin Black is the way to go- the smooth black surface makes the stickers just disappear....I used the Plasti Dip on the vents- texture on the console.
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    full_garage, Mar 7, 2012
    #327
  3. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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    I hear you but I just had no faith whatsoever in the plasti dip and I really wanted everything to look the same.

    The flash of the camera really enhances the texture on the vents and makes them look a little rough but they truly look great in person. I used krylon texture paint and then a coat of SEM flat black as a second coat and my interior looks superb!

    Thanks again for the stickers, I am so happy you had some leftover.
     
    treedee3d, Mar 7, 2012
    #328
  4. vrsurgeon

    vrsurgeon F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    Very nice job!

    It's so nice to see an unloved car get a touch of love it deserves. Reminds me of my baby.

    BTW, I was one of the keep it green crowd inside for the sake of originality.. but now I see that you were right repainting her red! :)
     
    vrsurgeon, Mar 7, 2012
    #329
  5. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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    Finally I am vindicated!!!
     
    treedee3d, Mar 7, 2012
    #330
  6. tcannon

    tcannon Formula 3

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    Since you did it the correct way, then it was the right thing to do for you. But I know that some people would have tried to cut some corners and only change the outer color which would not have looked right. Thankfully, you have set the bar very high on this project. ;)
     
    tcannon, Mar 7, 2012
    #331
  7. bernardo66

    bernardo66 The Crazy Cat Man Lifetime Rossa Owner

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    Just don't try entering it in a Concours. ;)
     
    bernardo66, Mar 7, 2012
    #332
  8. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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    I beg to differ Bernardo.....wait until you see it!

    Come by Lancia anytime you feel like it. I would love to show it to you.
     
    treedee3d, Mar 7, 2012
    #333
  9. White Knight

    White Knight Formula 3

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    Friggin' sweet.
     
    White Knight, Mar 7, 2012
    #334
  10. bernardo66

    bernardo66 The Crazy Cat Man Lifetime Rossa Owner

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    I was waiting for you to drop by. ;)

    Perhaps I should have these guys do some body work on mine.
     
    bernardo66, Mar 7, 2012
    #335
  11. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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    So far it's been a pleasant experience and I am very happy with the work. I was treated like family from the moment I set foot in the place...
     
    treedee3d, Mar 7, 2012
    #336
  12. Eric360

    Eric360 Formula 3

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    Fabulous job. Must be so exciting to see her come together. Congrats!
     
    Eric360, Mar 8, 2012
    #337
  13. ijvpet

    ijvpet Formula Junior

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    I have been following this build from the start. I am so impressed.

    Well done!!!
     
    ijvpet, Mar 8, 2012
    #338
  14. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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  15. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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  16. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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    I noticed a few things as I was going to put the seats back in so I took care of them immediately. The edge piece on the door opening was all chipped so I repainted with some SEM trim black and came out looking perfect. I had a large crack in my rubber so I fixed it with some glue. Gave the car a final vacuum before putting the seats back in.....
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  17. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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  18. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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    Put in my Carbonio door sills and the stainless inserts from carztuff which were a little large and a little long so I had to have a machine shop cut them to fit in the concave area of the Carbonio carbon fibre door sills.

    It's a good thing I saved all the screws in little bags and labelled each one because I would have been soooooo lost and would have never found the screw for the door sills.
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  19. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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    Putting the seats and the hand brake lever back together were both a real PITA and took up most of my day.

    The front bolts on the seats go in quite easily but the rear ones are kind of misaligned which is strange considering they've lined up exactly for 17 years??

    Anyway, it became a 2 man job as one pushed the rail with a pipe and the other pushing in and screwing the bolts back in.

    The mechanism to reattach the engine compartment release lever to the cable that lies under the handbrake cover was also very difficult and complex but I got it done.
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  20. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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    So the car is almost done as far as the body shop is concerned. All that remains are a few minor touch ups, the black stripe on the side and the bumper and it's done.

    I got her started and idling for 10 minutes and tested everything. It started very quickly after being inactive for 2.5 months and seemed to run smooth. It did reach very high temperature after idling for 12 minutes and the fans went off.

    A few minor annoyances:

    1-I had to start the car outside of the body shop and it was a rainy night. I did notice some drops of water make their way into the car and falling on my arm and on the windows switches which kind of sucks but I guess it's not too bad as I don't plan to use her much in the rain.

    2-The driver side electronic adjustment is kind of weird. Both the Up and down buttons make the mirror go down.....the left side works fine and the right side does not work at all. The passenger side is fine. I guess I'll have to adjust my mirror by hand.

    3-The hanbrake warning light switch is broken so it's indicated on the light panel that the handbrake is on even when it's not.

    All in all it's not too bad. the car is 17 years old so I can't expect everything to be perfect. That handbrake warning light is very annoying and that will have to be fixed pronto!

    I should be able to get her out of the body shop next week and put in my exhaust as well as do some final detailing on the engine compartment.
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    treedee3d, Mar 8, 2012
    #345
  21. Ryan S.

    Ryan S. Two Time F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    Really nice job! Totally dif car. I really liked all the interior wrk. Thanks for sharing.
     
    Ryan S., Mar 9, 2012
    #346
  22. tcannon

    tcannon Formula 3

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    Congrats on reaching the finish line!! :D:D I can't wait to hear what you think after you get a chance to drive her around and really enjoy the fruits of your labor. So enjoy! ;)


    Beautiful job all the way around.
     
    tcannon, Mar 9, 2012
    #347
  23. shado

    shado Guest

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    Bloody awsome:) What a fantastic jurney you have taken us through, great work.
    man if thats classed as a mini restro, what would you be like if you undertook a full one:)
    Outstanding.
    would be great to se some out door shots when you are able.
     
    shado, Mar 9, 2012
    #348
  24. vrsurgeon

    vrsurgeon F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    Looks MARVELOUS!
     
    vrsurgeon, Mar 9, 2012
    #349
  25. TomPDX

    TomPDX Formula Junior

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    Amazing work. Well done. And very inspiring!
     
    TomPDX, Mar 9, 2012
    #350
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