1991 348ts ... Having targa latch problem, please share pics!

Got my 348 in November and one side of the targa top was higher than the other. Where it seems to be a cause of the weatherstripping around the door --- an excess amount. I dismounted the latches --- which one is much more tough to latch than the other when installing the top to the car --- to have them refinished. I then find out I have 2 different style latches. I'm gonna switch them up and see if those solves or reverses my top issue. What I wanna throw out there is who has what. I know there is leather vs metal but this is a different design within the metal latch! Pics below and I'll update as I get more information!

As you can see in the pics the extremes of the latch are way different! The mounts are different as well as the bracket design.

Thanks everyone!
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Addl pic...can't post multiple pics
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Another view
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Of the car
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

The 2 different latches have different locking points. I need a new latch to match the one that is fitting properly. Anyone have a spare?

 

No help here other than to say that both of the latches in my '91 have the one piece mounting flange (the style of the one at the top of your second pic). Which one of yours do you think is correct?

Latches show up on eBay occasionally but you won't like the price.

 

I think i've figured out a solution by shimming it

 

Find that thread from about two months ago on the leather on the handles and you will get all the answers on which is which as to early vs late design. I think if I recall the bottom one in picture two is the early "328" design. Your solution of shimming should solve the fitment issue.

 

Good info in that one.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/348-355-sponsored-bradan/508466-348-ts-roof-latches-all-metal-leather-straps.html

 

The early latches were often prone to cracking between the rubber block and the hinged section (see here: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/348-355-sponsored-bradan/193770-targa-top-latch-broke.html ), so Ferrari modified the design to strengthen it.

I shimmed the latches on My folding roof panel, not because it didn't sit level but because the latches were very tight when you tried to lock them down against the roof rail.

I made the shims out of various thickness's of flat plastic and did a bit of "trial and error" fitting until I found the perfect tightness - Since then alls been well!

As for finding spare latches: Ferrari 348 Handle Top Part No 62219400 | eBay *

Yours for $550+$20 shipping

(*NOTE: I have no affiliation with the seller of this part, and the link to the advert is purely to assist a fellow Ferrari owner. Should this breach any Fchat rules then moderators: Please feel free to delete this post)

 

I did read that thread. This is alittle different. I think I have a 348 & 355 latch for some reason.

 

I think we decided that the leather was 89 and the metal was later. But with Ferrari you never know what parts got pulled out of the bin after a replacement was specified. Also I wasn't aware the 355 latches were different.

 

The later metal latches are under different part numbers (348: 62219400; 355: 64323200) but I'm pretty sure they're the exact same part.

 

The conspiracy theorist in me would speculate that this is LdM's doing to further distance his V-8 model from Enzo's.

 

you could do what I did... bought the foldable top and swapped the latches for the ones I liked better.

Both sets of latches on my 93 and on the foldable top look like the "solid" mount in the upper part of your one photo.

I sent the measurements to a buddy of mine for the shims who has a 3D printer and he made me some nice shims of differing thicknesses. A little trial and error and it sits flush.

 

Nice! What did you spend on the foldable top? The latches are most certainly different. I think one was replaced at one point. You can tell because of the mount. The 'striking' point is both just a bit off.

I have some shims coming so hopefully I'm one shim away from problem solved.

 

Spent around 900. There are still some left I think. I love it. Stored the original targa in the basement. I get a but more headroom with this top and it looks cool. I did have to de sticky the handles.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

Any pics and where??? That's not bad!!! I'm sending mine out to get done which is why all this has come up. Not gonna get them done if one is a permanent problem.

 

Let me find the part #. FNA had like 6 of them in the fall. Any Fdealer will sell them to you. I'll get some photos in am

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

Awesome! Let me know!

 

Foldable top?

 

If you google search "Ferrari 348 folding top" you'll find a number of threads on the subject.

Here's one to start you off: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/348-355-sponsored-bradan/471483-folding-canvas-roof-355-gts.html

There are two versions of them, the official Ferrari version (Part No. 63380800 ) and the unofficial Ferrari North America (FNA) version.

The official Ferrari version does not use latches, it simply uses the pushed out tension of the tops inner frame to hold itself in, and is speed restricted to 100mph/160kph, due to concerns about the top being ripped off the car above those speeds (But how often are you going to drive over 100mph?).

The FNA version uses original Ferrari latches to hold the folding top to the car in the exact same way as the factory top and is not speed restricted.

The latches on their own are @ $790 each from Ferrari so I'm struggling to see how the complete tops are available for $900 - They should be more like $1900!

I'm not say dahveedem is lying or has his facts wrong, but if they have more folding tops available and they are $900 each then he needs to race back and buy them all because he will easily double his money - Honestly, these tops are sought after, rare as hens teeth and sell used, second hand for $1800~plus! An immaculate, unused top could easily sell for $2000~$3000 IMO.

(My used top cost Me @ $1800 to buy from the USA 2 years ago off ebay, but with the import tax and everything else added on to bring it into the UK it ended up costing Me @ $2300 - It was worth every penny though as it means I can leave the hard top at home if I go away for a weekend or I'm out and the weather looks like it might turn to rain. )

Ferrari UK had 3 brand new "old stock" official folding tops without the latches for sale last year and they were priced at $2300 (now all sold).

Honestly, these folding tops do not come up for sale very often and are incredibly hard to find!

 

You know Me - Even though they are the exact same part, I'd go for the one's under the 355 part number as that must mean they are automatically better!

 

They say you shouldn't believe everything you see on the internet and they were right... I spent $1050... my bad. amazing too that I actually do recall what I spend. I mean I own a Ferrari for gosh's sake.. I know the amount of money that goes out the door for it...

Look at this thread link specifically posts #30 and #34. Research pays dividends when you get to pocket the cash you save.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/ferrari-parts-collectibles/461183-348-folding-soft-top-2.html


I did have to push the parts guy at Algar to actually call FNA and order because he told me they weren't available. At the time when I bought mine there were 3 left in stock. Thought about buying them all... but I like my 348 brethren and figured if they wanted one they should get the same deal I did.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Here's link to someone else's pics.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/ferrari-parts-collectibles/461183-348-folding-soft-top.html

The top is really nice and looks great on the car. if you get one just be careful withe mechanism... I managed to break mine and had to take it to a welder to get it fixed. BUT it's actually stronger now than before so shouldn't have any more problems.