Pristine, Powder Coated QV "Diaper" - How Much Is It Worth?

Hi All,

Since I had my '85 QV redone and a new exhaust installed, I'm considering selling my muffler grille - a.k.a. the "diaper" - depending on what price I can get.

As the pictures attest, it's not only in great condition, but was recently powder coated in wrinkle finish black by Advanced Powder Coating NW of Bellingham, Washington. It looks absolutely beautiful.

I'm curious if anybody has thoughts on what its value might be?

Thanks in advance.
Matt
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I paid $450 for a NOS unit so I would guess about $250 max. You have one vent rusted away at the top. The power coat isn't close to OEM. So I would strip if, have some metal work done on it and have it repowered coated to math the OEM finish. I guess I'm being brutal but to me it is what it is.

 

retail new is about $1400

 

Not rusted, that's oddly the stamping. I know what this part looked like before being powder coated, it wasn't rusted. While the powder coating finish is not OEM it is a very clean 'diaper'. looks better in person then in the pics, it's actually very black vs the gray color it shows.

I have no financial interest in this, just pointing out what I know about it.

 

Thanks John. I appreciate your feedback.

But like Scott said, it's not rusted. Perhaps it's just the photo quality.

 

Definitely keep it! Find a nice spot in attic and hide it away. Used ones are cheap...until you need one

 

P.S. John...what's "power" coat?

 

Whatever scrap value is. Take that pos off your car haha.

 

I have to disagree. Since I bought my car new, and have a extra, unused, NOS shield in the garage I know what these look like new. And I know by looking at the original, that has been on my car for 31 years, that the little dip is exactly where the OE paint gets burnt off and the metal rusts away. I watched it happen over those 31 years. which is why I bough a NOS replacement. Of course, you won't find any rust on mine either as it easy to clean it off before painting. So, please, don't tell me its the way they come. It's very common but you won't see it on a properly care for or restored car.

By the way, if you like another estimate, check this one out on Ebay. Asking $350, needs a little metal work and powder coat. Asking $350. Ferrari 308 QV Rear Exhaust Grille Net Heat Shield Diaper 60705000 | eBay

So maybe I was a little overly critical. But I certainly would not pay $350 for the one on Ebay.
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Seriously? Can't even make a typo? Maybe a sticky key.

 

If the diaper on eBay is $325, then Matt's should be worth a fair amount more as it is in much nicer shape.

 

FYI this will also fit the 2v injected cars.

 

When I bought my Tubi I drove for years without it.

Couple years ago, I took it down to get painted and put it back on.

 

Save it for 10 years and it will be priceless and almost as expensive as a tool kit.

 

That's an interesting theory.

Personally, I like the diaper. (The only reason I've removed it is to show off the beautiful new exhaust.)

I've wondered whether others felt the same, or if there was a movement underway to yank them off the QVs.

And yes, mine's in mint condition (if you're in L.A., feel free to come by and take a look). So if it does turn out that they appreciate, I could be doing well.

 

That was what I was thinking when I bought the NOS one for $450. If they are really going for $1400 now I guess I am doing ok. Price of a new one in 1990 was $762 from FAF.

 

To each their own but I've never had any issue with it at all . . . even to such a degree that I hate calling it a diaper.

I guess I'm not in the camp that feels showing off the exhaust should supercede the car as a whole

 

Totally agree.

It gives the car an exotic, almost industrial look. Very period.

 

Well said. Count me as another "diaper lover".

 

Why the premium or emphasis placed on a diaper (not sure what it is actually called) being powder coated??
That's not original, its not like a suspension piece that is highly abused where the durability would come into play.
Why not just painted as the factory did?

As to the OP, I think I bought one in good condition a few years ago for $200, if that helps with valuation.

 

Ok...this looks like a good fight brewing and I want in on it! Here is a closeup of my exhaust cover. If the dip in the one vent is what is being described as "rust"... You are wrong! If your cover doesn't have this dip...fine...but I can assure you that this dip was cut into the metal, for whatever reason, when it was made...it is perfectly symmetrical in relation to the cover and smooth as a babies...

P.S. John, your rear view mirror is crooked
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I guess this is of what you speak...as you can see it is all over the place...no symmetry whatsoever
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Just went out and checked mine. No dip, notch, anything. Slats are all the exact same.

 

Thanks, Eric. What year is your car? Mine is 1980. Might be a model thing...This will be interesting to solve the mystery

 

Well, I'm not going to go by looking at a variety of XX year old, rusted, bent shields as any kind of documentation. Here is what the 31 year old one on my car looks like compared to my NOS one. The one on the car has that perfect little dip on one louver. It did not come that way. It was not there when the car was new and is the result of the rust. The NOS unit is perfect.

I plan to have to original one repaired. It's a simple bit of metal work to shape a patch, cut out the bad section, and weld it in place.
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