Plexiglass covers mounting system. Please post photos...

I would like to see the various plexi installation methods with their pluses and minuses if you consider them an issue.
Of course, the neater, the better....

Thank you.
Regards, Alberto

 

I've never seen this before, but how about attaching a few of those small but super high powered Neodymium magnets to small L brackets on the inside of the Polycarbonate covers? No drilling would be necessary in the bodywork then. (hopefully not too much bondo or lead in those areas, lol)
Those magnets have unbelievable holding power.

 

Will they stay on at high speed? I think they are a great idea if they did, and you could take them off per occasion...

Regards, Alberto

 

in my experience, because these are not installed with air tight seals or trim to hold them in place, 3 things happen:

1 air gets in and at speed forces the plexiglass to flex, if installed with a close fit, there may be contact with the bodywork
2 rain, dust and dirt gets in and settles on the body just in front of the headlamp
3 condensation builds up and on damp autumn days they will "fog" up.

when mine were installed there was a 1/8" gap all around and that worked ok. Still if I was planning a long run at speed, I would take them off.

I do not think anyone drives at the speed that once was possible so you might end up with issues 2 and 3.

One of the most beautiful executions is the one below, but I do not believe this is a high speed set up.

perhaps the owner of RJU888M is listening and can comment.

there some discussion out there for example
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=275093&highlight=headlamp+covers

They change the look of the dino somewhat, so depending on the mood your in, they can be on or off.
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The only problem mentioned by dignini that I have experienced is #2--dust and small particles get inside under the covers. About once or twice a season, I remove the covers, clean the scooped-out areas in front of the headlights, and replace the covers. I have had no condensation (perhaps because I don't drive the Dino in damp weather) or body-contact problems. Fellow F-Chatter Bob Zambelli, who expertly trimmed my plexiglass covers and fabricated the aluminum-stock brackets (two near the top, and one at the bottom of each cover), procured stainless flat-head screws that prevent cracking as the covers necessarily flex while driving. My covers have been installed for nine years, and look and perform today as they did when first placed on the car. I find them to be a great visual enhancement of the Dino shape, and a realization of what I believe Pininfarina intended when designing the Dino body. Fred

 

Here are the covers I set up for Fred's 246.
Mounting hardware is aluminum and stainless steel.

Bob Z.
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These covers have the correct curve and shape in my opinion. Beautiful!

 

I think you are right Jon ... very nice! Fred/Bob, where have you sourced the covers from or were they custom fabricated to the car?

Thanks,

Tom

 

The compound curve of these look 1.0x10^6 times better than the flat type in other cars IMO.

 

The curve is what does it...
I will try the ones I have from Superformance, and see if they are curved.
Are the improper ones literally yardstick flat, or not quite curved as much as they should? I lugged with mine from the UK, so I am crossing fingers.
The old set that came with the car, are fitted rather well by my eye, although the new ones will need a lot of trimming to fit right.
Other sources, as in Fred/Bob?

Regards, Alberto

 

Where can u get this covers?

 

quite beautiful, that whole car is a jewel, color, wheels!
I like it!

 

Alberto - once you figure this out please let me know. I want to put those on my gt (if I ever get it done). I like the unobtrusive mounts for them too. As crazy as it sounds it makes a visual difference too if the mounts are alum or steel - at least to me it does. I am anxious to see how the Superformance ones work. I always like dealing with those guys. Thanks

 

Than one in post 4 looks yardstick flat.

 

I got the "raw" covers from Egidio Brandoli near Maranello. Bob Z. spent seven hours trimming them in an arduous trial-and-error process. We went out for a few beers after that! As for flat-looking covers, I believe the problem may be that the installer chose to take some short cuts. As the covers are formed, you can use either the top or the bottom edge without much trimming, and save some time. However, if you use either shortcut, you lose the full curvature molded into the covers. The same may apply with either side. Either one fits great without cutting, but then the other side is way off. I don't think that the "flat" covers, which you usually see on cars from Great Britain, started out that way. Ironically, when I first tried to find the covers, Brenda Vernor called Brandoli, but he was unavailable. She then called Maranello Concessionaires, who referred her back to Brandoli. That being said, I believe that the GB cars probably have the same covers, just not properly trimmed. Then again, maybe some owners like them that way. I much prefer Bob's solution. As he is fond of saying, after finishing a tough Ferrari job: "I can't wait to never do that again!" Great job, Bob. I still get numerous compliments on the covers. Fred

 

Tried the old plexi. (passenger side) vs. the Superformance product(drivers side).
Am I wrong, or, they are both incorrect? I mean, they are not flat, they do have a bit of a curvature, it's just that the ones on Bob's photo are very spot-on.

If so, has anyone tried the Dino.de plexis? Do they have the proper curve? Besides, at 288 Eu. each, not exactly cheap...

Regards, Alberto

PS. Please don't freak at the hood, it is an old experimental, only for pattern usage.
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Actually, I can reproduce those on Fred's car, assuming the quantity justified them.

I would estimate around $300.00 USD/pair

Bob Z.

 

Hi Bob.......Steve Cantera here. Count me in for a pair. Hope you can get enough interest. Any chance I could also get you to do the install? After all you have the experience.

best
Steve

 

Bob- its me- i would take a set too- will it come with the mounting brackets too? would like to see pics of those as well... Thanks,Champ

 

Hello its a little funny as I used to make the covers myself years ago, I have a small stack of them in .220 (1/4") thick, but for the life of me Im not sure which is the left or right side. Though they do have a nicer curve to them than the ones in Post #16. Not interested in making them anymore, as stated before it takes all day to trim. The Advantage of using the thicker material .220 is that you can countersink the screwheads for a cleaner look plus there more durable. Thanks Norm
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Rare earth magnet is an intriguing idea.

But what about an electro magnet?

No holes and that thing will not let go as long as the juice is flowing.

 

You are right, Alberto, they are both wrong. They curve enough from side to side but not enough from front to back. No amount of trimming of the edges will ever bring that curve back. The ones on Fred’s car must be from different supplier.

Fred, your car looks terrific, and the covers blend perfectly with the lines of the fenders.

A similar, correct compound curve can be seen on this photo below, from the car belonging to Dino Club Germany.
Paging Dino Club Germany: Where did you buy those covers, Nicolai? Dinoparts.de? Your car looks terrific too, and this shot with the German landscape in the background is one of my favorites. Hope you don't mind me posting it here.

Lars


Photo by Dino Club Germany
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Thanks, Lars. I, too, like the picture of the yellow Dino with plexi covers. It almost looks like an aircraft! That is the perfect height at which to photograph a Dino. Many other photos look as though the photographer were standing on a ladderl Fred

 

Attached are a few more examples. In both cases the covers curve in all dimensions and are very pleasing to the eye, but thats just a personnel view. Kevin
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Neither seems to have near the correct line of the yellow car or the one Bob did.