355 GTS Interior - Leave Alone? Restore? Enhance? | FerrariChat
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355 GTS Interior - Leave Alone? Restore? Enhance?

Discussion in '348/355' started by Shorn355, Aug 4, 2022.

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355 GTS Interior

  1. Leave it alone – The wear is patina and part of the soul of the car

  2. Restore it to original/new condition – or as close as possible

  3. Restore but customize/upgrade some areas – i.e. CF seats / alcantera here and there etc.

Results are only viewable after voting.
  1. Shorn355

    Shorn355 F1 Veteran
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    #1 Shorn355, Aug 4, 2022
    Ok – I am torn and interested in the thoughts of the FChat brain trust. My 1995 355 GTS is 100% original with the exception of Capristo exhaust and floor mats. The interior is 100% original and showing wear in the usual areas – some dash shrinkage around the vents / some leather shrinkage around the seat belt tensioners/rear deck / wear on the seat bolsters / door panels etc.

    Question and as such the poll is do I keep it as-is given the originality and patina / restore it to original or close / restore it but enhance here and there.

    As always all input, thoughts, opinions and guidance is appreciated.

    Cheers :)
     
  2. 308 GTB

    308 GTB F1 World Champ
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    #2 308 GTB, Aug 4, 2022
    Leave it alone, Scott, for the reason you gave in the poll.
     
  3. Targatime

    Targatime Formula 3

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    #3 Targatime, Aug 4, 2022
    IMHO, anything that's damaged should get fixed and anything that's worn leave alone.
     
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  4. LI2782

    LI2782 Formula Junior

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    #4 LI2782, Aug 4, 2022
    According to a recent post you shouldn’t even service the car to maintain its originality!
     
  5. U-Boat Commander

    U-Boat Commander Formula 3
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    #5 U-Boat Commander, Aug 4, 2022
    When my GTS was worth "only" $80K and was the cheapest car I had bought in over 10 years I upgraded the interior with CF seats that I had recovered and also recovered the entire car. The result was awesome and I love it. When my GTS became worth $300K, my buddy said I better keep the original seats in a safe place in case I ever needed to convert back for originality. I scoffed. I would never go back.

    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
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  6. Shorn355

    Shorn355 F1 Veteran
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    #6 Shorn355, Aug 4, 2022
    Those seats are sick!! Very very cool! Yeah I drive my car(s) a lot - my 355 has 47K miles on it so it is not a museum piece nor do I want it to be. But I do like the originality of it - when they came out in 1995 it was merely a far-fetched dream (yes I had/have the poster) - so to own one now still blows my mind. Seeing your CFs does keep me thinking though - Thanks for the pic and input!

    ***** And THANKS for the other replies and votes as well everyone - Most appreciated - Cheers :)
     
  7. Shorn355

    Shorn355 F1 Veteran
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    #7 Shorn355, Aug 4, 2022
    Yikes! Well I have already broken that rule then because I service her meticulously - oops!! :)
     
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  8. Shorn355

    Shorn355 F1 Veteran
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    #8 Shorn355, Aug 5, 2022
    Yeah that kind of is/was where my head is - but that is a fine line - For example the leather separating from the dash vents could be thought of as wear or could be thought of as damage - Conundrum .....:rolleyes:
     
  9. Shorn355

    Shorn355 F1 Veteran
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    #9 Shorn355, Aug 5, 2022
    Thanks - Yeah that is what I lean to - but I guess it is a quirk I have since I am in the same conundrum with regard to my watches! Refinish to new or leave the hell alone - First world problems I realize :) Thanks for taking time to respond - Cheers :)
     
  10. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    #10 johnk..., Aug 5, 2022
    Restore it. Show me a top dollar Dino that hasn't been restored top to bottom. The bottom of the barrel is unrestored cars. If the 355 is going to follow the Dino, restored to better than new will get the big bucks. You aren't going to hurt the value by making it better.
     
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  11. BDM348

    BDM348 Karting
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    #11 BDM348, Aug 5, 2022
    My vote, restore it. Mine was just completed and it looks like factory. It’s a great feeling sliding into the new leather!


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
     
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  12. k wright

    k wright F1 Rookie

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    #12 k wright, Aug 10, 2022
  13. ShineKen

    ShineKen F1 World Champ
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    #13 ShineKen, Aug 10, 2022
    The key issue with any undertaking is execution. How much and how well did you plan to make it 95% close to original? Most people just do things willy-nilly and the results show. That could hurt valuation.


    With the 355, the interior requires some thought.
     
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  14. tres55

    tres55 F1 Rookie
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    #14 tres55, Aug 11, 2022
    It's an all or nothing question IMO.

    If you're restoring the inside, the rest should match. Flawless body, wheels, engine bay...

    Either fully restore or enjoy it with the patina. As someone said above...if it's worn, it is what it is...if it's broke, fix it.

    I personally prefer the latter...sympathetic restorations. The concourse type restorations are great, but then I don't feel like driving the car because it's too clean/nice.
     
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  15. k wright

    k wright F1 Rookie

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    #15 k wright, Aug 11, 2022
  16. Closingtime

    Closingtime Formula Junior

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    #16 Closingtime, Aug 12, 2022
    I voted for Option 2 - Restore to Original/New Condition. This is what I'm doing with my Nero Carbonio Metallic over Red/Black Sport Seat equipped '96 GTS. The chance of you finding a spare set of Sport Seats is extremely low and the price will be $20-25k+ in addition to shipping. Alcantara would be more fitting on a Challenge car than a street car.
     
  17. ttforcefed

    ttforcefed F1 World Champ
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    #17 ttforcefed, Aug 12, 2022
    i wldnt be able to live with it if it looked worn. if you dont mind it then who cares. if it bothers you, restore it
     

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