355 Spider Top - long term open | FerrariChat
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355 Spider Top - long term open

Discussion in '348/355' started by houtie123, Aug 5, 2010.

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  1. houtie123

    houtie123 Formula Junior

    Dec 9, 2007
    548
    Cape Town, RSA
    Full Name:
    Andrew
    #1 houtie123, Aug 5, 2010
    I've recently shipped my 355 from the Uk to South Africa. At the request of the shipper, I left the top down to facilitate entry in and out of the container at both ends of the journey. By the time I get to start her again it will be 7 weeks since I left the car with hood down. Does that in any way create issues? I normally leave the hood closed every night, and am worried about hydraulic fluid leagage or frame tension...Anything to check before I hit the road?
     
  2. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,055
    USA
    #2 f355spider, Aug 5, 2010
    I would run it up/down once a day for a couple days. That is all. Top up th fluid and not worry about it.
     
  3. Future ferrari collector

    Future ferrari collector Formula 3

    Oct 12, 2006
    1,795
    #3 Future ferrari collector, Aug 5, 2010
    I think the manual advises leaving the top up for long term stowage. Don't know about 7 weeks but check the hyd fluids and it should be fine. You may get some creases on the top.

    I would rather put the top up for shipping especially with concerns for the interior and exposure to the elements.
     
  4. eyboro

    eyboro Formula Junior
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    May 30, 2004
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    Chicago
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    Eitan
    #4 eyboro, Aug 5, 2010
    +1
     
  5. cuneo

    cuneo Formula 3
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    Nov 20, 2006
    2,484
    #5 cuneo, Aug 5, 2010
    it's in an enclosed shipping container.
     
  6. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
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    May 29, 2001
    18,055
    USA
    #6 f355spider, Aug 5, 2010
    I seriously doubt 7 weeks will be of any concern. The factory is more concerned with months or years long storage with the top down...the fabric could possibly shrink and rip or tear when raised. By storing regularly with the top up, keeps the top from shrinking. Lets face it, in warmer climates, the only time the top is raised is to wash the car.

    As you, I would be more concerned with dirt and grime in the interior, enclosed or not....I would have bought that cover that Ricambi sells for when the top is down. ;)
     
  7. Monteman

    Monteman Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 9, 2006
    2,348
    Santa Barbara, CA
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    Monte
    #7 Monteman, Aug 5, 2010
    I've had my car for several years now and the top is up maybe twice a year. No issues with the top, operation or creases. I wouldn't worry about it. I leave my top down for a lot longer than 7 weeks at a time and have for several years.
     
  8. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,055
    USA
    #8 f355spider, Aug 5, 2010
    BTW, to the OP, I would assume it is hot and dry in SA, so make sure to regularly treat the leather with a moisturizer to protect the leather from drying out....the dash and seat bottoms are of most concern, but everything should be treated 3 or 4 times per year.
     
  9. X11OUD

    X11OUD Formula Junior

    Mar 22, 2008
    729
    Manchester, England
    Full Name:
    Neil
    #9 X11OUD, Aug 6, 2010
    My roof stays down most of the summer, the thought that I may have missed the Manchester sunshine by the time I've dropped the roof lol
    I just check the fluid at the start of the season, then again before I put her away for winter, at which point the roof then stays up until spring! 7 weeks should not be a problem.
    Has your spider left Cheshire for good ?
     
  10. houtie123

    houtie123 Formula Junior

    Dec 9, 2007
    548
    Cape Town, RSA
    Full Name:
    Andrew
    #10 houtie123, Aug 7, 2010
    Thanks for all the advice guys! It sounds as though I shouldn't be panicky. It is in a sealed container so hopefully (when I see it on Aug 20) all should be OK. The main reason the shippers gave me for leaving the top open was so that anyone unfamiliar with the 355 (i.e. customs inspector) could easily access the vehicle to get chassis number etc. Just opening the door can be a challenge for people who don't know the car!

    Yes - I've moved to Cape Town from Manchester. At the meoment I've imported the car on a temporary Carnet - which means I have to decide in 2 years whether to re-export it or pay the luxury car rate here. Ah, well, 2 years is long enough to come to a decision :)
     

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