Thanks all. I'll see what resources are available over here in the west. Really appreciate the input, will post some pics in a little bit.
Welcome to the madhouse Kryten! Enjoy your 355. Re the leather, keep applying the leather food to the dry bits. Apply (not too heavily) and let the leather absorb it. Repeat in a few days and keep it up till the leather stops absorbing. It will come to a natural balance.
Pic taken this morning in the lovely morning sunshine. Aren't the f355's a beautiful thing. As I mentioned this one is a 8/10, but I'm going to push hard to make it a 9.5/10. Mechanically it's absolutely spot on. All the work needed is purely minor cosmetic. Things that bug me, like grease on the subframe, scratches on the underbody and so forth... It just won't do. The only mod is a full Capristo exhaust. The previous owner gave the workshop 2 goes at fixing the OEM headers but they just kept cracking. Absolutely love it. It's the realisation of a 20+ year dream for me! Image Unavailable, Please Login
Cheers Kim. It's in really good condition, has been lovingly looked after (only done about 20,000kms in the last 18 years) and the previous owner doted over it. I'm just setting things as close to 100% as I can. For example, new brake rotors (genuine of course) to replace the old nasty original ones that were quite worn. I'm going to get the calipers properly repainted with new seals etc. One step at a time. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I do love how the newer models have the engine on display, but there's something just so classic about the louvre look. Only thing, is since I'm so particular, I'll be covering the engine with garbage bags every time I wash it. Even though I know it's not really necessary! Image Unavailable, Please Login
Interior is really nice but just not 100%. Needs a little TLC. Hard to tell from these images but the leather is a little tired. The kick plates also aren't as nice as I'd like them to be. Marks here and there. Image Unavailable, Please Login
You have the best 355 model in every way. re your original question, I'm one of the regular FCA Concorso judges and I prefer to see original trim with normal wear rather than new trim with inevitable mistakes. We are custodians of these cars and the objective of any collector is to preserve them in original condition, while using them for their intended purpose. btw here on fchat, we like to give people s**t for having shields on their Ferraris, so don't expect the current well mannered behaviour to last!
Cheers! It's even an original Australian delivered car, not a grey/personal imported one - so I know that helps a bit as well. Thanks for the input, it's what I suspected which is why I asked the question. I'll see if I can seek out a decent leather restoration place over here in Perth to give it some love. I've known the owner since he bought it back in 2003, so I know it's history very well. It's been well loved. Hasn't been the cheapest to maintain, but hey there's worst things you could be spending your money on I suppose.
Well my understanding (which may be wrong) is that genuinely delivered cars are considered somewhat more desirable than personal imports. I've also seen a few LHD/RHD conversions which (at least for me) is a red flag in terms of desirability. I personally wouldn't want one myself - or I'd rather keep it as a LHD. I'm a bit of a stickler for originality. Sorry I'm a bit of a noob in Ferrari land so I might be way off base with my assumptions.
You mean the shields on the quarter panels? I kinda like them!.. I'm more concerned with the yellow prancing horses on the seats, I don't believe they are original and will need to come off somehow. Yes I saw an F1 version of my car in the workshop at Barbagallos (WA Ferrari dealer) recently. I didn't realise they actually had the identical gearbox as the manual just with an actuator on them. Wouldn't be hard to turn them back into a regular manual version I suppose - not sure I would because I do like to keep things original, plus there's some real heritage in that car. First with the flappy paddles etc. The F1 car was in pieces so it was cool taking a look around at all the components. Damn these cars look tiny when they are on hoists with their engines out I also saw a Testarossa with it's engine out getting a belt change. As I was an 80's child, it truly sent shivers down my spine seeing one. I didn't even know there were any over here. Serious respect to the owner is due.
