355 Engine Bay Plates

do you mean the side covers?

there's supposed to be one each side.

but often the right side is off or missing to access the battery terminal.

 

There are engine panels on each side. One right & one left.

As noted ion the last picture you posted, the 1998 & later cars have the left hand one with a cutout section by the shock ECU to allow for the F1 tank in models that had it.

Pretty certain the 6 speeds simply got that panel anyway....although a 1995 - 1997 left hand panel may look better in a non F1 car.

 

He's referring to the data plates and decals on the side panels, not the side panels themselves.

 

Many lose the data stickers from heat, and washing the engines. Also depends on what country the cars were originaly delivered to.

 

Yes, someone is remaking them and selling on eBay.

No I wouldn't it's a stupid Info plate.
If you passed on a car because it's missing a plate that says only use shell oil. I think that's a bit harsh.


As was posted before over the years and depending on if it as a state side car or a euro car would depend on the stickers and plaques that are riveted to the panels.


Maybe 355s are missing the RH panel because people remove to charge the better yet then they don't install them back. And the RH panel has the majority of info.


Maybe someone in a smog state could verify if the inspectors are looking for this plate as it is the "emmisions lable" on the RH side.

 

The right hand side plate has a riveted label for emission and someone here does make a replacement sticker.

 

The first pic looks like mine, with all plaques in the same locations.

 

I would not pass on a good clean mechanically sound car just because of the stickers/plates. Many of these panels have gone missing over the years, and used replacements have been installed, from various as. If the car is a good machine overall, I wouldn't worry about a "cosmectic" item.

 

Hi everyone, I am planning to respray the side panels and heat shield in the engine bay of my F355 euro specs from 1995. Any suggestions on which black paint and technique to use in order to make it as original as possible? If I am correct, I believe the side panels are supposed to have a slightly granular texture while the heat shield finish should match the oil tank's.
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I have seen the 95 F355 to have granular finish or smooth black finish. I am not sure if one is more correct than the other. If I were you, I would just follow whatever you have now. You can paint it black wrinkle paint which can dry glossy or semi-gloss depending on how you dry it.

 

Thanks will do! I'm asking because one of my side panels in smooth finish and the other one is granular Previous owner had to replace them. He took correct ones for the model year in terms of shape but finish ended up being different.

 

Well, then pick a finish and paint them both that way.

 

Mine are textured. 98.