Hi all, I've recently purchased a Rosso Corsa F355 GTS (pics to come in the next few days). The vehicle came with the black 'vinyl-feel' roof and I have decided after a lot of stewing that I definitely want a Berlinetta look, so smooth and red like the rest of the paintwork. Can any one who has gone through this process advise on how much work it really is because buying a replacement is just too expensive. Cheers
I've done it, but I bought a second top and painted it in order to keep the factory numbered too original. If I recall, it was under $1000 ($600) seems likely and is an easy job for any qualified paint shop. I had my Ferrari shop (Competizione) sub the work out. It's an easy job, and if done correctly, will produce a top that will looks as good or better than factory.
Congrats on your car! Let's see some pics! Sorry I may not be of any help in the advice you seek, though I imagine any great body shop will be able to take care of the job easily. Sounds like you've made a decision, which seems to be a popular choice, but just to add some thought from a different perspective: While I do think the Berlinetta look is great, I've grown to really appreciate the two-tone roofline of the GTS car. With the panel in place, it teases you with how good it would look with the top off; you're reminded that this car is special because the roof can come off at any time. It says, "Heyo! I'm a GTS!!!" Or...maybe I'm a bit of a purist. I also like black skirts and spoilers on a 348. If you just got the car, what's the rush? Give it some time and if you feel the same way, then have at it. Once they sand it out and paint it, there's no going back. Also, just had a thought...those that have painted, how do you find the finish holds up from being stored behind the seats? Does it damage the paint? Do you have the factory cover and does it help?
I did this on my car right away and loved the results. My bodyman did it in two days for $500/US. Two tips: 1. You may find after the texture is removed that the top itself is not as flat as you hoped. My car is black and it wound up having some very minor, but visible, "ripples" after it was done. 2. Part of the above issue was caused by my instructions to the body shop to use minimum filler as I was concerned that taking the top on and off might promote cracking of any filler. My second issue was I was in a hurry to drive my car, but it would be smarter to allow your shop time to let the any filler to completely cure before painting to minimize any issues. Also after using the car for some time, I don't think use of the top puts any strain or twist on the parts, so a little filler is not going to ever crack if its cured properly. Since I have a long standing relationship with this shop, he is going to do it over this summer and get it perfect for me, which he says will be no sweat to achieve. I just posted before and after shots on another thread, if you hunt around you can probably find them. The flaws are all but invisible, but I know they are there
I prefer the look of the GTS roof unpainted. Besides it matches my wheels.http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1653350&stc=1&d=1359899648 Image Unavailable, Please Login
Each to their own of course, but I prefer it painted. I think the Berlinetta has the best look of all 355s, but if you have the roof of the GTS painted it is almost indistinguishable. Image Unavailable, Please Login
But you have the advantage of being able to do this on a nice warm day... Image Unavailable, Please Login
We painted ours. Had the local body shop do it (they did a great job). They sanded it down, used a primer with filler, then painted it. Cost $300.
I just bought a 348 SS with the factory black targa roof and was seriously thinking about getting a painted one. The more I look at the car though, the more I like the black roof. It has the vintage look of the 308 and 328gts. I am kind of in between now.
My top actually had a small spot that was messed up on the exterior. I also did away with the cloth top of the interior (after it fell down on a hot day) and had it painted as well. Looks good.
This thread got me wondering... I have a 99 GTS with matching yellow top. Did tops come with the factor color as an option or are they all aftermarket painted? Also I was thinking maybe a carbon fiber targa top would look good on a GTS, what do you all say?
There exists an ultra rare factory carbon top. And, yes, it does look good. Few pics around here on the forum. See this post... http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/139556829-post10.html And a couple pics I found once Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
How about a spider roof? Carbon inside, paint on the outside... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Thanks for all the replies all. @TurboRon , I do agree that the black roof is a no brainer on your car with the black rims, very nice btw, we also have a Giallo Modena Stradale. @Steve355F1 , you hit the nail on the head, you have that classic Berlinetta look when it's on but the advantage of taking the targa roof off on those nice days, lovely car. Question for all that have done it, would my body shop (who do know they're stuff) need to take off the locking brackets and strip the interior roof lining or will this be taped up very well to avoid any sort of over spray? I purchased this car off the original owner and it's got to be one of the most original 355's around so I don't want to stuff it up! Cheers
And I strongly believe that it was only available on the later cars as an option. That's why I bought a second too for my 95 to have painted.
I would be interested in GTS carbon top if it was available. I saw a thread awhile back were someone made his own--anyone else see it?
My wife says that to me all the time....it's nice to be surrounded by all this love. As for the roof: what can I say? it is a really really nice looking roof.
I'm certain she has said that to a lot of men. The Jett top is great when used properly. It had been on my car for almost three years with no problems. You slammed it in your uneducated self and way after you were instructed not to and then you exposee it. You don't even call me to help you rectify the clips with Tim. Thats all I will say about it.
She has indeed said it to a lot of men: her dad, her uncles, grandfathers whom she loves dearly, truly a wonderful woman from a great family and I am a lucky/special man. Jeff, I have no beef with you. Tim told me you were no longer with the company so I'm not sure why I would even need to contact you? I'm sure your heart was and is in the right place but I came from far away and there were some pretty deep issues during and after I purchased the roof. I tried to resolve them with Tim and he did not want to take responsibility for certain shortcomings and kept changing his mind and backtracking so I ended up with a dead end. I did not have your number and if you really wanted to help me, you knew I was in need and could have done so anytime via Fchat (you don't seem to have any trouble communicating with me now, right?). I would have gladly posted a retraction and let everyone know that you did the right thing by me. I did not "slam" the roof. I love the roof and I've always said it looks great and is well built. The issue is that it's not quite there yet and the brackets still aren't engineered correctly. And I also have several other issues with the service I received and promises that were made. Altough it's still unusable, I plan on trying to tackle it in the spring and try to make the roof work somehow... I'm here on fchat everyday and I enjoy discussions and sharing with the brotherhood about our cars. The roof is mine, it's paid in full and it's technically a part of my fcar so I can bring it up whenever I want. I tought, since the topic was painting a roof, that I would share what I had with others, that's it. The point was not to slam it, that is in the past. I apologize sincerely to the OP, this hijacking is not what I intended to happen.
PM me with your co-ordinates and I will get the proper clips for you. I haven't been apart of it for years but I want you to be happy with it. It is a great product. BTW a painted GTS Top is the best 355 of them all. IMO of course.
