The romance really begins once the car arrives…

All Roadster Salon Spiders, from the affordable Basso to the show stopping Ultimo, undergo hundreds of hours of tedious development and preparation. Once ready for their return to the road, I personally evaluate each car before signing off and shipping to its new owner. My Dad always felt that this final shake down period was essential if customers were going to be satisfied with their cars over the long haul. As our process improves, we find fewer and fewer issues to be resolved during this critical phase. We aim high, so in most respects, the finished Spider Restoration product is better than what the Spider was originally.

A few words of wisdom–when the car arrives don’t just turn the key and go. It is a classic car with modern updates, but it’s not a Toyota. Soak up the Italian ambiance. Smell the leather. Enjoy the wood. Adjust the chrome mirrors. For those of you who have never owned a spider before, take some time to familiarize yourself with the spider’s features. Once you feel comfortable, the romance can really begin.

We make a huge effort to attend to every detail, and restore your spider to the highest standard your budget allows. However, this does not mean that the car’s break in and future maintenance can be ignored. Since every Roadster Salon model—from Avanzato on up—has a completely rebuilt engine and many new parts, the same rules apply as taking home a brand new car from the factory. Here are some basic break-in and maintenance tips for your new Spider:

  • Most Roadster Salon Spiders have Bosch fuel injection. Fuel delivery is managed by a computer, including cold start functions. It is not necessary, and can even be harmful, to depress the accelerator when first starting the car after it has been at rest. Be patient.
  • The first 500 miles of driving should be undertaken with care. Do not drive at a steady speed and alternate the RPMs on the tachometer. This assures maximum engine efficiency in the future.
  • Full throttle acceleration and high RMP shifting should be avoided until at least 1000 miles have been logged. Same is true for abrupt maneuvers or other types of aggressive driving.
  • All our new engines burn significant amounts of oil for the first few months. Keep an eye on the dipstick and be sure proper oil levels are maintained.
  • In high performance versions of the car, premium fuel should be used at all times.
  • Synthetic oil is not recommended for use in our spiders. We recommend Castrol GTX 20/50 weight oil in most climates and conditions.
  • If your spider is driven infrequently, keep a trickle charger on the battery and change the fluids at least once a year. Motor oil should not be left standing longer than six months.
  • Rotate your tires every 5000 miles. Brake fluid every 24 months. Always check coolant levels, and flush/replace the radiator fluid every two years. Timing belt should be inspected by your local mechanic every 20K miles.
  • Your paint is new too. Do not wax the car for the first six months. The paint needs to breathe and should not be sealed until it fully cures. A glaze to bring out the shine is permissible. Wash with mild, non abrasive soap. Condition the leather with Lexol every few months, more frequently in hot, dry climates.

 

Spiders are very communicative cars. If they are unhappy, or something is amiss—they will let you know. Don’t ignore the conversation. Always keep a watchful eye on your temperature gauge, and your ears tuned to any sounds that don’t seem to belong–simple advice for many years of driving pleasure.