348 ash tray

I managed to get a new one a couple of years ago from a private seller on Ebay (after I paid $399 for it).

Then, having an unbroken one, I took the opportunity to investigate what could have caused the breakage of the top rear portion (rail) of the frame of my old one - bad design. The rear edge of the ashtray flap is too near the top rear rail of the frame so, when you pull on the provided "handle" to open the ashtray, the rear edge of the flap may catch on the rail and brake it off. To prevent this, first press a bit at the rear of the flap with your thumb (it will open slightly at the front) and then pull on the handle with your forefinger. Make sure you always use the said fingers!

 

I don't smoke, so I remove the ashtray, installed an aluminum plate painted black, drilled two holes, one for the cig lighter and the other for a potentiometer that someday I will wire to the fan speed controller.

 

I think the surround for the ash tray has entered the unobtainium status. We should consider a group buy for doing some SLAs.

 

$400!! Wow!

 

And yet who wouldn't pay that for a new one today? As outrageous as that prices is (and it is outrageous), it's still better than not being able to get one at all.

I'm hoping that such parts will eventually be replicated by the aftermarket, simply because of the high prices they command. But what's *really* frustrating to me is that Ferrari itself doesn't support the older vehicles much better than GM does. A company that trades on its heritage should do better.

 

Did u try ferrparts?

 

I just realised that the ashtray opens back to front (this is because I have not installed the new ashtray yet). So, in my earlier post, swap all my words back-front and thumb-forefinger.

 

Absolutely! It's crazy.

 

It is really a shame that Ferrari doesn't have a program like Porsche Classic. They are producing a lot of the formerly NLA items for everything from the early 356s up to the early Boxsters and at a relative reasonable price. Ferrari needs to get with the more recent mass produced models and help us out. I recently had the switch that controls the mirrors short out and of course it is NLA. I was lucky to find one on EBay but of course at 3 times the last list price. Side note, that switch is shared with the F40 so I guess us 348 guys can say our cars have a little F40 DNA.

 

I am in Mexico until the end of November. But once I get back home I will see if I can scan my ash tray on my 348 and see how it looks after I 3d print it. I will let you guys know. Sorry can't get to it any sooner.

 

Lol, interesting bit of info there and I totally agree with you in regards to Ferrari reproducing NLA parts.

Imagine how much money the Ferrari factory would make just from setting that up by itself!

It would be a dream come true to be able to order new hard to get parts for our cars to keep them looking like new forever.

Now this is a GREAT idea!! If it works, I am going to buy a 3D printer and print everything!

 

The part might be a little to deep inside to get all the detail but I'll see what I can do.

 

Good luck with that. I hope you succeed where I could not. I spent several months running around the Denver, Colorado area to try and get an unbroken ash tray replicated. None of the HD scanners could do a decent job that would print worth a darn. The next choice was to have someone manually model the piece in a CAD application. Turns out that choice was very pricey as the $/hour for CAD modelers is not cheap. I am currently playing around with a CAD package on my MAC. I'll see if I can ever get this thing modeled accurately. I'm actually surprised someone in the 348 ranks has not managed to replicate the ash tray body. It looks so simple but the places I found simply could not get a decent scan. Keep us informed of the journey.

 

I can understand, but as long as it looks right from the top, don't worry about inside.

I have only opened mine once to take a look and I have no reason to open it again so as long as it looks like it's in place that would do me.

My ashtray is fine btw, but you know what I mean.

You know what would be nice to replicate, the inside plastic covers that go over the bolts holding on the side mirrors on the outside of the car.

The little triangle pieces inside the car, mine both have slight cracks in the top of them. They were like that when I bought the car 10 years ago.

 

Those look simple and easy to scan and reproduce. I just hydro dipped mine, using a carbon fiber pattern. They came out great. Will send you a pm of them once I get back.

 

I happen to be a CAD modeler, I use a software called Catia V5. I manage the engineering department at a Tool and Mold Shop. If I have some spare time these next few weeks I will see what I can model up. Or maybe I can get the out side scanned and create all the offsets to produce the inside. Wow. Didn't know there was that much interest in reproducing parts.

 

You're a champion Luigi, looking forward to the PM next month.

Huge interest in it man.

You have been here for a long time, do you remember ferrarifixer?

He repairs Ferraris here in Melbourne, Australia.

He has found a local 3D printing company in Melbourne who does some great work.

With this help, they have reproduced parts to fix the suspension strut actuators on the 355/575 etc.

They have also reproduced some ignition box covers for old 365 GTBs.

The suspension actuators are available to buy, but are VERY VERY expensive. His fix is extremely cheap. He said he has sold the repair kits in 3 countries now and has fixed plenty local.

Here are some random pics he emailed me a few months ago.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Yes, I do remember ferrarifixer. That is some great work. Once I get back maybe I will look into getting a little more serious and see what kind of quality I can reproduce.
Thanks

 

The 348 TS and TB badges will be there waiting for you when you get home. I think a guy could do pretty well making NLA Ferrari parts if you can make some decent quality. I thought about gearing up and trying it myself but like most of us I have a 1000 irons in the fire and just can't handle anymore.

 

Yeah man, I thought he was making them but he said he can't justify buying the machine to make the stuff when he can just pay them when he needs to.

See how you go buddy and thanks for sharing your input.

Lol.

 

Just wanted to give you an updated and I haven't forgot, but I had one of my guys scan the out side of the ash tray out of my car and when I get back next week I will model up the wall stock maybe even make it a little stronger. Here is a picture of the scan.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Very cool, definitely very interesting how this will turn out.

Great to hear man.