Painting the roof on a 348

I've seen them on 348's... I was told it was a factory option like it also was later on the 355's. If you can verify that, then it won't hurt your resale value even if someone wants a concours-compatible car. It looks good, more like a berlinetta.

It was never an option on the 308's or 328's, but I got an extra targa top and had it smoothed and painted. I like it and it gets lots of compliments.

 

Jimpo had this done on his white 328. I've seen it myself and I think it looks great. You might ask Jim how this was done.

 

I had it done to my (ex-) 348. Also had the bottom rockers painted to match, as well as adding the Series Speciale front lip to the front spoiler. Looked great. Any good bodyshop can paint the targa top to match; it's not rocket science. Just sand down the bumps, then paint.

As for resale, if your car is modified in any way, or has "real" mileage, I'd argue that getting this done actually IMPROVES resale. I'd leave it alone only if the car has low miles and is very original, so that it appeals to collectors (not that there are many interested in original 348s). Otherwise, the paintwork makes the 348 look more modern, so you'll probably get at least some of your paint cost back when you sell it.

Just my $.02.

vty,

--Dennis

 

It's not a problem for resale. A lot of 348 owners have this done, it's like a rite of passage I think.

 

I'm having my top done right now. I'm also having the engine cover painted too. All the black on the car looks lame. That and the top was a pain to keep clean with all of the little bumps. I had the front and rear bumpers painted and it looks so much better. The top is molded fiberglass, so all you have to do is smooth out the bumps. I know cause I did the sanding myself. I'm having a budy do the painting for me.

Speeking of black. I couldn't stand how ugly the engine bay was. People would look at the car from the outside and say "wow that is nice". Then they would ask if they could see the engine, and you would get "oh an engine". I was so bland and plain, nothing special to look at. So I spruced things up and painted a bunch of the parts on the engine red, when I was doing the major on my car. Now the engine bay looks just as nice as the outside.

 

Not a problem if it's done right - here's my 90 348ts next to MarkPDX's C5:
http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=134263194&postcount=17

 

Hey Shan, you have your rims on backwards. You have the left sides on the right and vice versa. LOL. Common mistake. The last time I had tires put on my car, they put them on the wrong rims in the back. I didn't realize it until a few weeks later. I just left the rears like that cause didn't wanna mess with getting them remounted. But when I get new tires I'm gonna make sure they put the tires on the right rims, and the right way. Anyway thought you'd wanna know.

 

Thanks Ernie. I knew about the rims. I'm waiting until the next tire change to get the wheels refinished and remounted. It's on my winter list. Thanks anyway though. I'd like to see how your top turns out.