Ferrari Mailing List: Re: GTB and other car stuff

[Michael James (cavallino_rapante]

Thanks, Rick!

 

My engine will be going back-in within weeks, and I hope to try-out the A/C system from RetroAir very soon.  I still have a few pieces-parts to get installed, I get to them when I can due to my trave schedule, but all of the 'tough stuff' has been installed so far.  I hope the fan-box isn't too much of a challenge.  I think the hardest part was the new hoses and the condenser - both required some 'customization'.  The hoses lost their 'ends' to be able to make their run through the sharp corner into the well running behind the fuel tank along the body of the car.  No way were they going to make-it with the pre-crimped fittings.  RetroAir was informed, and they sent me a new set of un-crimped fittings at no charge - I still have to take the car to an A/C shop to have those re-attached, but it shouldn't be too much of an issue.  The hoses were plenty-long enough to provide enough slack to be able to pull them out and have someone do this easily without gymnastics.

 

My car's black interior looks great, but absolutely SUCKS in the summertime.  The only time I really enjoyed driving the car was in the Fall/Spring or EARLY mornings.  My Welsh heritage doesn't approve of removing the GTS top during the day, otherwise I get my 'Ferrari tan' and enjoy sleepless nights reeking of aloe vera. 

 

How does the A/C of the TR compare?  Charles Perry's car had two speeds- Hot, and Meat-Locker.  Perfect to Southern climates, if lacking any fidelity whatsoever.

 

Keep us posted,

 

M

 

From: Rick Lindsay <rolindsay [at] yahoo.com>
To: Michael <Cavallino_Rapante [at] yahoo.com>
Cc: The FerrariList <ferrari [at] ferrarilist.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 6, 2012 10:27 AM
Subject: [Ferrari] GTB and other car stuff

Hello Friends,

I picked up the 308GTB today.  The car had been sitting out in the sun all day and was quite hot inside.  I started it up and switched on the newly activated A/C.  Within 10 seconds the blast of air went from hot to cold, and by the time I completed my 2 mile drive home the cockpit was comfortable!  First of all, most 308s barely can cool the interior, and no other 308 I have ever known could overcome a heat-soak!  Granted, the seats and armrests were still warm but the whole cockpit air was comfortable.  I put this all down to RetroAir's engineering and Rock's specifically designed kit.  Thank you Rock!

So now all of my air conditioned cars have working systems.  And this is nontrivial.  Yesterday when I got home from work, in a nice, cool 308GTB, I moved it over to the storage center and picked up my Porsche Cayman.  I turned the key and noticed that the temperature gauge read 100 degrees F - with the car off and sitting in the garage!  I then checked my phone ans sure enough, the ambient temperature was 100F.  That says A LOT about the new A/C in the 308!

And now, the next four projects - and I think I already shared some of these thoughts.

1. Polish and protect the paint on the E-Type and finish the interior restoration.  Both jobs now started.

2. Polish and protect the paint on the 308GTB and buy/install new tires.

3. Repair a worn window track on the R-R, and oh yea, do the paint.

4. Replace the fuel pump in the TR3b.

And actually there are another couple of projects in the wings.  Neil's Mondial T is going back together now so we'll be back on that restoration soon.  The real news is that our friend Jack Taylor has found a car he has been searching for for years!  The car is a Lotus Elan S2 from '65!  Its a beautifully original car with no issues other than having not been touched for almost 17 years!  Ergo, it needs EVERYTHING, independent of whether Jack plans a restoration or a preservation.  I vote for the later since a car can be 'original' only once.

That's it from me,

-rick, in hot, steamy Houston
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