Did the factory ever use vinyl dash covers on the 355? | FerrariChat
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Did the factory ever use vinyl dash covers on the 355?

Discussion in '348/355' started by Marcus 27, May 24, 2005.

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  1. Marcus 27

    Marcus 27 Karting

    Feb 3, 2004
    136
    #1 Marcus 27, May 24, 2005
    I've seen a 98 UK spec 355 F1 spider for sale which seems to have a vinyl dash, but all the other 355s I've looked at have had leather dashes.

    On the vinyl one, the instrument binacle appears to be covered with leather. But the odment tray behind the heater controls is also vinyl (you can tell that because it's torn) whereas on other cars leather seems to be used. Also the dash covering is somewhat uneven, again unlike other 355s I've seen.

    So basically I'm wondering if all this vinyl is original?
     
  2. Llenroc

    Llenroc F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 9, 2004
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    Vern
    #2 Llenroc, May 24, 2005
    As far as I know all 355s had leather. Also the parts book doesn't show anything related to vinyl. The 355 had problems with leather shrinkage, the person cheaped out on the repair. I would wonder what else he cheaped out on?
     
  3. TimsBlack16M

    TimsBlack16M Formula 3

    Jan 27, 2005
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    Tim
    #3 TimsBlack16M, May 25, 2005
    Vinyl cows were never used on the 355. Tim
     
  4. spidermanUK

    spidermanUK Formula 3

    Feb 26, 2005
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    Clive
    #4 spidermanUK, May 25, 2005
    But the PolyVinylChloride Bovine is a popular pet of scrapyard owners and damaged repairables specialists!;)
     
  5. Marcus 27

    Marcus 27 Karting

    Feb 3, 2004
    136
    #5 Marcus 27, May 26, 2005
    Hmm... From what you're all saying it's kind of what I'd feared. But, it IS for sale at an official Ferrari dealer, so you'd think the car would be bascially sound...

    It does exhibit other signs of neglect though - broken heat shield on engine, plastic on switches peeling and not replaced, hood mechanism wasn't working, slightly wavy panel around fuel filler.

    Incidentally, it always amazes me that most official Ferrari dealers don't bother to prep their used cars - is this just a UK thing?.

    Still, on the other hand, the car is pretty cheap for the mileage/year/model.
     
  6. jeffdavison

    jeffdavison F1 Rookie

    Jul 29, 2002
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    Jeffrey Davison
    #6 jeffdavison, May 26, 2005
    There is some VERY nice vinyl available these days that you couldn't tell the difference from leather, except for the smell. If you live in a very sunny climate and don't always put that sun shade over the dash, it is a worthwhile change if the current dash is suffering from unfixable shrinkage. I know of a dealer who had this done on request from one of their customers and I saw the dash of the car while it was still out freshly re-covered. It was VERY VERY nice and the work was top notch. The vinyl gives a "piece of mind". IMO the 355 has waayyyy too much leather as it is and it takes a lot of maintenance to keep up with.
    Vinyl has gotten a bad rap due to the cheap stuff that covered your kitchen chairs when you were grwoing up in the 60's. The stuff, imo, is worthy....just don't tell the "purist" when he says you have a nice dash.

    When it was time to re-cover my dash, I opted for dark charcoal Alcantara, aka, Ultra-Suede. It feels and looks like the real deal, gives the interior a very agreeable custom touch (gives it a more contemporary look) and doesn't shrink, and requires no maintenance.

    JD
     
  7. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
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    #7 f355spider, May 26, 2005
    I agree completely! Leather really doesn't belong on the dash...too fragile for the application. I also agree that alcantara would be the best replacement product.
     

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