355 CF Trunk lid with engine viewing

This one was posted up a while back - glass from a 360 spider reversed into a 355 engine cover. Neat, but hard to improve on the original.
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Don't have a 355, but I have some thoughts... just thinking out loud.

I'm assuming anyone buying CF would want to keep it CF, but I'd prefer a mostly body-color deck. Although I am pretty unfamiliar with CF - easy to paint? If you paint it though, why make it expensive CF? Like the glass idea, but may look a little dull since engine compartment is mostly black stock and adding in black CF may be a bit much. However... maybe a good reason to powder coat some things in the compartment!

I'm going to get a 348 - am a bit daunted by the number of deck vents I'll have to wash, polish, wax, etc. though.

 

I had this all planned out---I got pricing on a extra rear bonnet, 360 glass, the trim, etc...Quote from my bodyshop guy, etc....Wasn't worth it in the long run--Very $$$$$

 

I like the 'ferrari' aluminum coolant and PS reservoire caps... !!!

 

ughhh, change bad... keep it stock.

 

I just removed the screen and set mine up like a Challenge car. I really like the results. You can see the engine real well and it looks near stock. I just put the screw covers back on the fixed screws located on the underside of the engine deck lid and waxed up the paint. Another good thing is that it is easy to put back to stock if you don't like it. Just an idea and it is free.

 

If someone were to come up with a kit like this......I'm buyin'. That's the coolest part of a 360 bar none.



Darrell.

 

Agreed I have also seen it done on a 348 and it looked quite stunning. You could always buy another stock engine lid if you want to have the best of both worlds.

 

That was my intention, to get another bonnet and cut it up that way I can go back to stock if need be----the parts are the killer for the price. My body/paint guy was going to give me a killer deal on price if I would help advertise his shop--Even used parts with shipping almost makes it not worth it.. You basically need an entire 355 rear bonnet and an entire 360 rear bonnet to make it work...

 

That's the main problem with this mod. The pic above is from a car in Germany IIRC so the aquisition of parts may have been a little less expensive on that side of the pond. An additional aftermarket bonnet with glass would be neat, but it is really hard to improve on the stock piece - one of the most stunning designs on any car.

 

I love the clear cover look, but would worry about extra heat buildup. That solid cover won't let out as much heat as the stock 355 vented cover.

 

My paint guy had the same question, but the 360 bonnet does have air grills on the side of the glass to allow heat out...Can't imagine a 360 engine runs cooler than a 355 engine and I have never heard of heat cracking the glass on a 360...

 

An OEM style 355 bonnet with the reverse scoop made out of a transparent material would look pretty damn neat and still retain the venting properties of the original.

 

Just MHO...Ferrari aesthetics are meant to stay stock on all models. A challenge grille being the only possible exception.
-Billy

 

The challenge wing adds a whole new dimension as well .

 

I would do this in a heartbeat! that looks slick as hell!
Next time my motor comes out, i'm going powder-coat CRAZY on the engine parts... I couldnt think of a better way to show it off!

I'm sure the cost of the 360 pieces, even used from a dismantler would prohibit doing it....

 

That picture looks pretty cool, but I remember seeing other pictures of the whole car and it really doesn't look that great. Anyone still have those pics? The glass looks simply off. It really doesn't look as good as it does on the 360.

 

Anyone wanting to try this---I know where a complete 355 rear deck lid is for less than half of what new costs...

 

That picture looks fantastic, I would do it ASAP if I had the parts.

 

These are not my pictures - not sure who the photo credits go to:
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Is that glass or plexi? Glass would seem to be adding weight over the original aluminum deck.

Off topic, but those Challenge wheels look like they are sticking way out there. Is that how they look stock, or do you think the owner is using spacers?