I believe all the '86-'87 328s have the full, interior-colored leather armrest as a standard design feature. 1988-onward cars switched to black vinyl (?) armrests with the redesigned interior handle, and also switched from a solid metal exterior door pull to the one with the plastic gasket/insert. Every bit of beige leather in the photos is brand new - door panels, armrests, door pockets, seat belt retractors, e-brake lever and housing, etc. Except for the retractor covers, which had been nicked up over the years from clumsy attempts at stowing the targa top, these pieces were all in great shape other than having been re-dyed, probably to match the re-dyed seats... but I wanted a perfect grain and color match, so we did all of it. We reused the hardware for the storage pocket on the back of the passenger seat, and reused the label on the underside of the console storage bin lid (tire pressure info). The door pockets have a spring mechanism that tends to fail, but both were fine in my car. However the disassembly required for this project is an ideal time to fix those if they're broken. The entire pocket, including the flexible side pieces, was re-created using the Ferrari 328 patterns at the shop. The Concorso awards were fantastic, but there were two other huge aspects of it that go way beyond the trophy/plaque/ribbon: 1. It put the car on the same playing field, in terms of how you feel when you open the door and get into it, as the newer cars. As I posted earlier, you can park my 328 next to a nice 360/430 and both look new. It's a welcome change of perspective. The 328 gets judged on its design relative to the modern cars, not based on "being in decent shape for its age." And: 2. It finally stopped being a used car and now feels like mine. In addition to the usual bolster wear and a nasty tear on the adjuster cover, there was a lot of dirt in the old stitching, a few splashes of dye on the seat adjuster lever, and a couple of decades of dirt in the seat tracks. With all of that gone, it's a bit of a clean slate and I like it.
Yes, I'm probably going to get covers for when the car goes in for servicing, smog checks, etc. But will probably not use them on my own drives. I'm a careful guy.
My '88 (apparently built in late '87) has a tan interior with black armrests and the pull-up interior handle on the end of the armrest but it does not have the later outside handle that is surrounded by the black gasket. <<<
What a great job. There is no way that a re-dye could ever match new leather. Must be great to have a new car smell everytime you open the door. My interior is still original and I use a leather conditioner about every 3 months and get that nice leather smell. Congrats on the platinum award. Do you know how many points were taken off for you pedels?? Mine has won 2 platinums at regional shows ('06 &'07) I haven't known the final score but suspect it's around a 97. I know they take off a little for the pedels (I have them also) and my air pump is also missing.
Here are a couple of pics, I am close to rolling 32,000 miles, last 12,000 I have done in the past 22 months. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I've always felt the same about re-dyed leather and passed on one car because of it. Man, you must be loving your new "suit"! Tip; when garaged, leave the windows open and you'll notice the fragrance every time you walk in
I'm looking to buy a 308gtsqv red/tan with new interior leather,headliner,and carpet. but the carpet is red, its a nice combo, I like it but I haven't seen ant others like that so I guess that wasn't stock, what do you think it might do at a car show? I'm asking you mostly bullfighter!
I just have all my mail forwarded to my car now. No reason to leave it except for basic hygiene stuff. Yes, red carpets were available when the car was new. They are commoner in Europe than in the States, but you could order whatever you wanted (my car was special ordered with black carpets and tan leather -- 'normal' is tan/tan). At an FCA event, you'll be asked if that was the original color combination. You might want to verify, via the window sticker perhaps. Also check the headrests for the embossed horse. 'Economy' interior re-do's sometimes lack it. All 308 QVs had it when new.
I did, it did have the horse, that was the first thing I looked for, where would I find the window sticker if it is not in hand, could or is there another way to find like a build sheet or something that would tell me how the car was ordered by the buyer
Jon - You are definitely the man. You inspired me to get a 328, and now you're turning my thoughts to future interior restoration. I will admit that some modest mechanical tweaks have also crossed my mind because I just haven't decided if I'm truly a purist. Doug - Your car looks fantastic and it's exactly the same color combination as mine. My leather still looks good, although is has been redyed. My car is in more pressing need of some attention to the carpets and the little bits of metal trim like the seat levers, signal stalk, and steering wheel bolts.
Bullfighter, excellent thread and congratulations. Now that it's done have you decided on what products to you're going to use to keep it fresh and looking new?
No, and that has been on my mind. The upholsterer likes the Connolly Hide Food, applied every 6 months.
Listen to your upholsterer, Jon. Just use it sparingly so the leather can "breathe." Connolly Hide Food turns rancid when stored too long; you'll know it when it does! Make sure you get a fresh container.
Keep it tightly capped, as you mentioned, and at room temperature. Get a new jar every two years. There's some wax in the preparation so, as I said, use it sparingly.
Jon, You've got beautiful NEW leather so it's probably already been recently treated. Let your upholsterer show you how to use the Hide Food at the appropriate time. Again, your interior looks beautiful! Barry
Yes, he went over it lightly after completing the job. I'll let him walk me through it early next year when it's time.
Once a year is about right. Perhaps twice a year on the driver's seat. Hide Food is great for the type of dye process used on your new leather.
