Excellent Major Service by T&R Automotive

I was kickin' it with TAForza at his shop last week, and we were looking at the Ferrari SpA product catalog for the 458, 430, and 360. We came to a page in the catalog that had a section of carbon fiber parts for these Ferrari models.

"Wow -- that looks great!" I was referring to the carbon fiber engine bay lid and carbon fiber petrol cap.

I: "How much for the carbon fiber engine bay lid?"
TAForza: "Ferrari SpA wants about $27,000."

Well, I wasn't gonna spend $27,000 for a carbon fiber engine bay lid -- I'm not a professional racer...I'm more of a parade-driver; hence, the reduced weight in a $27,000 Ferrari carbon fiber engine bay lid would be a waste for me for just parading around in SF or going on a FOG Milk Run in the Bay Area; but, I do love the look.

I: "[TAForza], we can definitely come up with a better solution than spending $27,000."

So, we came up with a carbon fiber wrap, as a solution to satisfy a parade-driver like me. The wrap comes in a variety of colors and with or without gloss (matte finish as shown below).

TAForza spent most of the day wrapping his engine bay lid, bonnet, and the petrol cap.

It looks better in real-life than in the photos -- especially, under direct sunlight, because the lumens from the sun pick up the common signature whitish-silver color in the carbon fiber threads.

Also, TAForza modified his rear diffuser with a Novitec Rosso spoiler that is designed to reduce lift in the F430's rear end. He also installed the Novitec Rosso black-out tail-lights many months ago.
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Barlettani:
You have a beautiful 355 Spyder. It was nice meeting you. I hope to see you at some of the FOG Milk Runs; and, I hope you will participate in the 2012 FOG Rally.

Ahh...so, that beauty was yours...I saw her in the shop when I dropped my car to TAForza.

 

I think Saphira loves hanging out at T&R. After I got all those items replaced and repaired, listed in my last post, her pullies and belt go out.

Of course, TAForza did a great job in repairing her, but I would like to be able to spend some alone time with her...although, I am considering changing out her exhaust to the Capristo exhaust system -- not the racing one, but the one that cost $5900 on the Capristo website. Anyone has this system on their F430?

TAForza: Have you heard the sound this exhaust makes on the F430?

 

Here is latest additions to Saphira: Carbon Fiber Project.

TAForza surprises me each time he works on Saphira. I never knew that he could wrap a car; his work is perfect: no bubbles or blemishes.

He has two types of carbon fiber material: Black Matte and Hi-Gloss.

I prefer the black matte carbon fiber finish because the contrast, to me, is much stronger than the hi-gloss.

After seeing TAForza's carbon fiber on his F430, Showtime brought his black F430 Spyder in for a carbon fiber wrap: Black Matte.

At first, I couldn't visualize black matte carbon fiber on Showtime's black F430 Spyder; however, that soon changed when I saw TAForza do his work. It it looks spectacular. I took a shot of Showtime's carbon fiber buttress.

TAForza also gave Saphira a pair of sunglasses: Yellow Euro Headlights. I think they are illegal, but that doesn't bother me; though, I will have to check the CVC on yellow Euro Headlights.

The rear buttress, is my favorite part of the carbon fiber addition. Here are some shots of Saphira across the street from my home in SF, 6-June-2012.
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Al, Your car looks absolutely stunning with the wrap.... very cool on a spyder.
I must say though, the yellow lens covers MUST GO.... to many colors it gets really confusing....
We should have a poll from Foggers about the yellow head lamps... I have to put my foot down. Expect your head lights to go missing next time you are having dinner on Union St.

just sayin.....

 

said the guy with police lights....

 

Ha. Good one, Sledge4.2. Indeed.

Thanks, K, for the compliment. Uhhg -- a poll? Give me a break!

 

Showtime wanted TAForza to apply carbon fiber to his rocker panels; so, he did. Looks much dramatic in real-life.
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That carbon fiber wrap looks really good.

SVCalifornia, what about wrapping the rear panel of a Cali with it (the panel that holds the license plate)? OEM is just painted flat black. Think it would look nice in matte (or even glossy) carbon fiber?

 

Ha ha...I just spit up my coffee.

 

Butcher.... why are you drinking coffee so late in the night. You won't be able to sleep!

 

We are lucky to live in an area where we have several good people tha do work on our fantastic Ferrari's. After over 8 months in LA my 355 is back at Tony's getting a couple of things fixed. I have gained an appreciattion watching Tony over the couple of weeks of how special and talented he really is. He continually suprises me as to the range of his talents and skills. The best way I can describe it is that he is a Master Craftsman of Ferrari's. I am a perfectionist and picky to the nth degree and this guy repeated has exceeded my expectations. Simply put, I know he has my back and does the work as good or better than I would on my personal Ferrari as a perfectionist. He has earned my respect and I simply want to relate his character and quality of work to those that are in the position of needing work done on their Ferrari's and find these qualities important. While it is just the way he is, part of his DNA, in my expereince it is rare to find.

The air conditioning was not working and needed to be fixed and repaired. He understood what happened and what needed to be done. He found the best and most cost effective way to fix the problem.

When my 355 was delivered to him there were several things done at the previous shop that was sub par work. Some of the electronics were improperly mounted. The entire front bumper would need to be removed to reposition the electronics. The area behind the grill looked horrible (irregular and glossy) ater 8 months at the body shop. i was going to have another body shop fix it, but when I sopke to Tony the next day he had already taken the front bumper off, repositioned the electronics and fixed the horrible body work behind the grill. I am attaching some before and after picks. You can be the judge of the quality of work done. He is doning a whole range of work on different systems on the car, in a way that would be difficult to get from a whole bunch of specialty shops.

He is fixing a lot of other problems on the car. These are just a couple of examples. More info and pics to follow later. A big thanks to Tony and his team.

For now:

3 Before Pics

2 After Pics
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Amazing work as usual! Glad you got your car back SKUSA. Hope to see you soon

 

SKUSA: Your 355 sounds amazing. I love your exhaust.

Saphira was whistling louder than a drunken sailor on liberty leave walking the Broadway Strip in San Francisco looking for a 50-cent hoe.

It turned out all that loud whistling noises were her clutch thrust bearing and the idle pulley going out -- throw in a failing thermostat that kept activating my check-engine light, and I was busier than a one-legged man in a butt-kickin' contest.

TAForza did his magic on her; and, in three days she was running better than factory specs. The icing on the cake was that the price was better than reasonable -- I was expecting a bigger bill! Great work, timely response, and a great price -- I can't beat that!

Thanks, TAForza!

 

I have had a trip planed for some time to go to Tahoe with some Friends.My car develops a hydraulic leak before my trip.I bring my car to tony tell him my predicament.A job that should have taken a week Tony took care of it in 2 days staying late just to complete my repair.I have been going to Tony's for my Ferrari needs and he is the best.Always does what he says and does great work Ferrari's are complex cars but once sorted and maintained a Joy to own.And no one is better than tony at sorting problems and maintaining Ferrari's.
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Ame...
I noticed you had a door ding on your passenger side and wanted to introduce you to Tim from Dent Pro.... he is excellent and a true magician... He is also a big support of FOG AND BPN... His cell # is : 415-531-4807

give him a call and mention Fog for a price savings!

 

Will do Thanks kouroshoo7

 

Thanks Bob. I am looking foward to the rally.

 

She's pretty, ame262.

 

10-August-2012, I heard an unusual rattling sound at Saphira's rear. TAForza found that the exhaust pipe at the exhaust bracket cracked in half. Per Ferrari's recall, Ferrari replaced the exhaust bracket; so, I'm a bit baffled by this damage.

Anyway, TAForza has a welding machine that he recently purchased this year, 2012; hence, he will weld the pieces together, saving me the cost of having to purchase another exhaust system. Although, this might be an excuse to purchase a Capristo Stage II. ;-)

I viewed the pipes, and the metal that Ferrari used is real cheap looking -- that's the benefit of buying a Capristo -- the metal is higher quality and prettier.

 

Hello Alfonso,
I really like the F1 brake light mod. Do you know if TAForza was ever able to get these at a discounted price? Also if he has the tow hooks available? Man I really wish I had someone like this guy in my area! Sounds like a class act for sure!

Oh yeah, what does it say on the back of your car under the 3rd brake light b.t.w?

 

Please check your pm

 

Pm replied Tony. Thanks!

 

Hi, diSCUDted.

Nice play on your call-sign.

I just saw that you and TAForza are communicating via PM.

Thanks for the compliments on Saphira and her modifications. I always enjoy all input, favorable and not-so favorable, regarding the modifications I do on her.

Under my third brake like, is a US Navy Aviator term: Check 6.

Actually, its a term for all military aviators, but I come from a US Navy family; hence, my loyalty and affinity is to the US Navy and her aviators.

The 6 o'clock position is the rear of the fighter jet. It is the most vulnerable position of the aircraft in air-to-air combat and ACM (air combat maneuvers). At every mission (sortie), if you get the privilege to listen in on the fighter jock's communication, the term "check 6" will inevitably come up as they conduct their ACMs. It means, check my rear for any SAMs, bogies, or any other threats.

Another term that will come up is 3-9 line, which is the opposite of Check 6.

Check 6 is also used as a form of good-bye. So, a naval aviator might say to another naval aviator at the end of their meeting, "Clear skies and check 6" or "Check 6 Maverick."

I put it on my Ferrari to show that I'm a Naval Aviator enthusiast; I also use it for when I go on Ferrari drives -- that way, the Ferrari behind me will remember to check his or her rear to make sure no threat is behind us on our drive.

Also, I'm a volunteer for the Blue Angels Foundation; so, when I meet a Blue Angel, they see "Check 6" on my Ferrari, it kind a makes for a bonding moment, and it makes me feel like part of their gang.

I hope this answers your question. I am not a naval aviator or fighter jock -- I'm a US Navy Aviation enthusiast.