More finishing touches on my F355

It was a good day in the garage. I managed to cross a couple more things off my 'to-do' list for my '95 yellow berlinetta. Weather finally broke into lower temperatures so it was productive getting ready for driving season.

First up was the grill. I had not seen the car with its (original yellow) solid, rear grill since locating it from a previous owner. So I opted to change from my "puma's" to my "wing tips" today (metaphorically) on the car...

And yes I love the challenge grill on the yellow but it was time to mix it up and it's a quick swap with around 12 bolts to complete the changeover. I think it took 30 minutes all in.

Robb
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Pulled the rear cover, removed 4 top screws to take out the third brake light panel. Then hit the rest of the screws.

Swapped the cavallino from the challenge grill to the yellow panel. Then reattached all the nuts and screws.

Robb
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Holding spot for the challenge grill to go back in the closet for a few weeks... I had it backwards in this photo. Thanks to Ken Stone for the fabrication.

Robb
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And the yellow grill on the car.

I'll be sure to take some nice photos this weekend on a drive into the canyons.

My oem (non-challenge) wheels are being refinished so they will likely be on the car in the future to match the rear yellow grill.

Then when I switch back to the challenge grill, I'll swap back to the challenge rims also.

Robb
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Added a new airbag sticker to the interior of the rear engine lid. The old one had faded from the heat so you could not read any of the writing.

Robb
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Also up for today was to replace the rear window trim plastic. It was sticky and one of the last items I had not gotten to yet. The nuts are in tight spaces with the engine in, so I had to get a couple of small ratchets I did not have to complete the removal and install.

Robb
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I had a second set of trim pieces from our challenge car (it has a lexan rear window) so I sent these to Dave a couple of weeks ago to refinish for me.

I planned to swap the refinished ones for the sticky set the same day to make it easy. Then, I can refinish the other set and save them for the parts bin on the challenge car.

It turned out great.

Robb
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Each piece has around 4 screws and nuts. I cleaned behind the pieces once they were removed. It was pretty dirty under there not seeing the light of day for 20 years.

Robb
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Another shot of the newly refinished pieces going in.

Robb
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And I had been waiting to reattach my vin plate to my refinished steering column. Finally got the right double-sided tape. FTW.

Robb
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My original ashtray had a small crack in the side that we tried to fix with super glue and heat. But it cracked in the same spot after refinishing.

So I bought a brand new ashtray last year. It's now packed and on its way to stickynomore.

I also pulled my 3 air vents one last time to send out for laser etching from Dave since he has finalized that process.

I like both services (among all that are out there) and like to mix-up my business. Been happy with the results.

Robb
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Also removed the 6 square screw covers on the top of the dash to have de-stickied.

So great day at my place. Almost nothing left on my list for the '95 berlinetta. Got a lot done. And feeling very good to have both grills.

Robb
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Thanks for the kind words. That was a bear, and great learning experience. Took about an hour. It would be much easier to do at engine out so I'd also recommend it then.

The group can also see the work we did on our challenge car today over in that section. A lot of ground covered there also!

Robb

 

We will plan to do this. Sounds like a plan.

Robb

 

That will be in our challenge grill thread. But yes will post photos.

Robb

 

Out for the first real drive of our season. It was 90 degrees when I started. 75 after sunset.

I like the solid yellow grill.

Like wearing a suit or sport coat...

Robb
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But even after getting my fan ecu fixed, spirited driving in 90 degrees with the solid grill upped the temp just a little than with the challenge grill...

Robb
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What a great day out in AZ. My favorite stopping point with the iPhone doing ok.

Robb
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