Friends... I visited at length with a guy here that does a lot of custom fabrication for motorcycles and cars, and I can tell you he does outstanding work. He is studying the concept of manufacturing a 348 "challenge grill" that would replace the slats/rectangular lights with round tail lights and the metal, mesh-type frame. This WOULD NOT BE a modification of the 355 challenge grill, which saves $1600 right off the bat. It would be a custom-made piece that would look much like the photo below. Also, one criteria that I told him is that we MUST be able to reverse back to stock for originality easily. If I can get him to make up some, how many might be at least mildly interested? At what price is it not of interest to you any more? YOU would be responsible for providing the taillights (likely 550 taillights), and hooking them up to your current wiring. Feedback appreciated. Image Unavailable, Please Login
This might work for me. As some of you know I had the 355 light treatment on my car when I got it. I did not care for the quality of the panel and really had a problem with the lights being on an angle. I always thought If I coud have a real challenge grill and set the lights right I would be happy. Don't take this as me being a cheese grater hater. I really like the stock look but am not opposed to a little update that can be reversed if necessary....for the right price. Having said that I really really love the look of the speciale light treatment but where the heck am I gonna get that set up.
Albert, it would look EXACTLY like yours. But without the cost of the 355 challenge grill before work even begins.
Count me as mildly interested. But I'm a cheapskate, so my $$$ limits are pretty low, probably unrealistic! BT
Count me in too. (contingent on the price of course) FYI, the tail lights are the same for the 355, 550 & 360... same part numbers.
Yours is what I would want it to look like. After I saw a thread with your pic I wished I didn't sell my lights and harness.
Yes that is an actual 355 Challenge grill, that was modified to fit a 348 rear end. Interesting item to note is that the 348 rear grill is wider then a 355 rear panel and the 355 rear panel (challenge or solid) is also about 1 1/2 inches taller. So it took a body shop to add 2 pieces to the right and left side of the grill (match it up) and also cut the challenge grill at the bottom by 1 1/2 inch in order for it to fit. 355 lights work great, thats what I put on, but you do do need a 355 wire harness for them to plug in and modify your wires a bit (found out that after I purchased the 355 lights). I have been told since then that the 550 lights also fit and plug in to the original 348 wires. The good news about this modification, no cutting of the body, a simple 1 to 2 hours and all stock items are back on!
Obviously you fools don't have a Serie Speciale or you wouldn't even think of such a crass modification of the car. Still, it does look pretty nice and brings the 348 into the rest of the V-8 fold.
IMHO, the Series Special rear light treatment looks like a Fiero, let the burning begin... And I swear I do not mean to offend anyone here on the board.
.....hmmmmmm............... .................. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Actually, one of the reasons I sold the Spider was that I thought it looked too much like a Fiero with the top removed. Then a friend called it a Fiero and that was it. Nah, not really, but the resemblance is haunting... And albert, them's fightin' words!
You should see the reactions when you have really something that could be shipped the next day. I searched allover the world during my 2-year 348 ownership. I never understood the SS. Whoever made that decision...
