Does anyone have the chassis numbers for these last models in the 348 series? I understand there were only 389 ever made? Were these models sold in the US? Also I have read conflicting reports about when the body coloured sills and spoiler (and rear deck) came into being. I understand it was from 92 in the US (was this only the SS models?) but that in Europe it was later (from 93 with the Spider, GTB and GTS's), is that correct?
According to my "Original Ferrari V8" book: GTB 1993-94) 96655-99697, 222 built GTS 1993-94) 96824-99197, 218 built I don't think any were originally sold in the US, only Europe. The vin will tell you the market it was build for.
Thanks Ernie, not sure about those chassis numbers, I wonder how they work, smack in the middle of these? http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=140916826&postcount=30
The one's you linked to are the SS numbers. That's just the way Ferrari numbered them, or at least according to the info I have. Maybe because of less produced ss models vs the gtb/s? I guess only the factory knows.
Yes I know, they are right in the middle of the sequence that "original V8's" suggests for the GTB/GTS? The reason I ask is that I have seen a late model 348 with body coloured sills, spoiler and rear deck but its badged a tb, it also has the 119H engine as found on the spider, GTB, GTS and GTC. I wondered whether it should have been badged a GTB, its chassis number is 97065. Bleumel's book would suggest it to be a GTB as the chassis number fits in the range of GTB's but outside the range of the tb. However this particular car was delivered to Oz at end August 1993 and the GTB wasn't announced until October of that year (as far as I can work out) If it isn't a GTB, did the factory produce body coloured tb's in 93 with the 119H engine or has this one been resprayed (who knows re the engine?)? I'm curious.
I don't know whether the 348 GTB/GTS was ever sold new in Australia. There are often chassis number overlaps between Ferrari models. 348 GTB chassis numbers begin ZFFUA... whereas 348 tb chassis numbers begin ZFFKA... It is entirely possible that the visual changes to the 348 between tb and GTB (colour-coded sills etc.) were made on Australian cars but they were not given the different designation. Jonathan
I was hoping you might chime in Jonathon as I figured the Oz cars would have most in common with the UK cars. The thing that is throwing me is the 119H engines, were they supplied to ts and tb models?
As far as I know, which isn't much , only the gtb/s and competizione got the (H) blocks. Maybe it was one of the first gtb's to roll off the assembly line? Manufacture tend to start selling next years models around summer time the year before. Or, maybe it got resprayed, and they broke the gtb badge and replaced it with a tb? OR......maybe it was a very late model tb that got lucky and received an H block? Seriously though, if you wanna know for sure, you are gonna have to check the vin. The vin will tell you if it is, or isn't, a gtb. Look for the (U) as Jonathan pointed out. http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=318113 Out of curiosity, what is the 4th letter on your Competizione?
Well this is Ferrari and often these things aren't black and white. So it wouldn't surprise me if some late 348 tbs got updated engines. You do sometimes see that where the end of some Ferrari production runs get bits of the newer model. It could be that Australia got some of the tb to GTB changes but not others to avoid going through a new type approval process or something like that. But I'm really only guessing. They are ZFFUA35... as well. You cannot distinguish 348 GTB and 348 GTC from the VIN prefix. Jonathan
Right you are guys, I will check with the owner and that will answer the question....cheers Yes that's correct I have ZFFUA35....
Not necessarily on reflection. In theory, the fourth character of the VIN on the car in question should be a U regardless of whether it is a tb or GTB. That is because the fourth character identifies the engine type and it has already been stated it has the GTB engine. It might be a matter on enquiring with Ferrari Australia. Jonathan
Oh.....so the link isn't correct? It states clearly that K is tb/ts and U is GTB/S but your saying that it relates to the engine, not the model? It seems curious to me, but if it does have the 119H engine and the chassis number fits in the range of GTB's but outside of the range of tb's, why wouldn't we assume it is definately a GTB with the wrong badge on it? I think my head is about to explode.........
In my opinion, if the vin numbers match, and I has an h block, then it would stay it's a gtb. Or if you really wanna get super accurate maybe Ferrari SpA will tell you. Place your bets kids. Chicken dinner it's a gtb.
