Rare Saratoga Top FS | FerrariChat

Rare Saratoga Top FS

Discussion in '308/328' started by miketuason, Oct 11, 2016.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Feb 24, 2006
    15,517
    Cerritos, CA.
    Full Name:
    Mike
  2. tomd308

    tomd308 Karting

    Jun 10, 2006
    159
    gainesville florida
    Full Name:
    thomas dukas
    I remember when you could buy one of these used for less than $1,000.
     
  3. Rosey

    Rosey F1 Rookie

    Nov 5, 2015
    3,587
    Australia
    Full Name:
    Mark R
    Yeah, crazy prices, and not even a Ferrari made spare part.

    Did the factory actually authorise them?
     
  4. rkljr

    rkljr Formula Junior

    May 16, 2011
    723
    South of Boston, MA
    Full Name:
    Richard
    $10K, it was not long ago you could get one for $2,500. It seems like crazy $$$ but rarity has its price.
     
  5. Schulz308

    Schulz308 Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    May 21, 2014
    1,450
    STL USA
    Would it be much cheaper to have it custom made by a plexi manufacturer, custom fab shop, etc?
     
  6. Ferraridoc

    Ferraridoc F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jun 20, 2012
    16,057
    Gold Coast, Aust.
    Full Name:
    Patrick
    In Australia, it would be called "Solar Furnace"
     
  7. Rosey

    Rosey F1 Rookie

    Nov 5, 2015
    3,587
    Australia
    Full Name:
    Mark R
    Correct!! If you only drive your car on sunny days like I do it would turn the cabin into a hothouse/ sauna.
     
  8. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 4, 2001
    35,280
    Birmingham, AL
    Full Name:
    Tommy
    It doesn't warm the cabin really at all. In fact it blocks the heat very efficiently.

    I have had one for 4 years now and I live in the deep south and have a second home in Florida. 100 degree days here are not the least bit uncommon. That see thru top is a fantastic compromise on hot days when you want the top out but there is just too much hot sun beating down on you.

    Believe me, it will surprise you how cool it keeps things under it.
     
  9. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Feb 24, 2006
    15,517
    Cerritos, CA.
    Full Name:
    Mike
    It may even be polarized :D
     
  10. i-velocita

    i-velocita F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    Sep 9, 2006
    2,520
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    James
  11. i-velocita

    i-velocita F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    Sep 9, 2006
    2,520
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    James
    Tommy is right. This is a myth. Interior does not heat up, even on sunny days.
     
  12. nerofer

    nerofer F1 World Champ

    Mar 26, 2011
    11,968
    FRANCE
    True; I have mine since may 2013 I think (or was it 2012?). After clearing the customs (they believed it was some part from an attack submarine or whatever) I've put it on the car and never did put the original top back. Not once.

    Rgds
     
  13. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 4, 2001
    35,280
    Birmingham, AL
    Full Name:
    Tommy
    The solar panel is the windshield.

    And what a solar panel it is...
     
  14. nerofer

    nerofer F1 World Champ

    Mar 26, 2011
    11,968
    FRANCE
    With the hot air from the water radiator just flowing over it too boot...

    Rgds
     
  15. Fairview

    Fairview Formula 3

    Mar 16, 2009
    1,109
    Waynesboro, Virginia
    Full Name:
    Jeff Ward
    Saratoga made them for Porsche 911 targas as well, and I understand they were available through the Porsche dealers. I doubt they were available from Ferrari dealers as Saratoga reportedly only made about 100 of these, more or less an experimental run, not enough to distribute on a grand scale.

    I've had and used a couple of these over the past few years, and the build quality is really quite nice, not amateur by any means. There are durable latches, the fit and finish are both impressive. I think there is a potential problem with strength in the locating pin areas (Tommy may have reported on this at one time), but I've not personally had a problem.

    These tops are rare birds and expensive to acquire, but a worthy period-correct compliment to a nice car.
     

Share This Page