348 GTO

Didn't know such a car existed until last weekend. I saw the original factory concept car at the Limerock Historic Festival (pic in link below) and was amazed by it. I searched it on google and on here but didn't find much. Any info on this car?

Thanks

http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrewcragin/6125113575/in/photostream

 

That is not a factory original concept car. That car was created by an artist and Ferrari enthusiast who toured the factory and saw a picture of what they referred to as a "348 GTO" in the art department. The factory never actually built the prototype, but the artist re-drew the car from memory and had it created based on a Norwood turbo conversion. This car was the subject of a Forza article several years back.

Now that my anal sounding corrections are over...it's a seriously hip car, isn't it?? I love it and would buy it in a heartbeat if I could. I especially love the fact that the guy hand-painted the shields like Ferrari did on the old race cars. Then I would have two Forza-featured babies to take care of!

 

Looks like someone let a 12 year old loose with a Ferrari and a joke shop.

 

This is 82640, a US-spec 348 ts built in August, 1989. But it's been heavily modified.

It has Recaros with five-point harnesses, carbon fiber dash and door panel inserts, 355 wheels and doors, carbon fiber wing and nose, and Bob Norwood-built turbonetic hybrid turbos and custom-built intercooler, and an on-board downloadable computer facilitating engine tuning management. It was for sale on eBay in April, 2008, asking $150,000, at which time it had already appeared in the May, 2008, issue of FORZA (#85).

 

I would think you could buy a Norwood car for much less so the "artist's premium" is steep.

 

I remember the feature in Forza, but I don't recall the car being so visually 'challenged' as in the Flickr photo. In muscle-car vernacular, it looks like a 'ricer'.

 

I'd much rather have the Enzo test mule.
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I agree - I'm surprised at how much the look of the car changes when you remove the door fins - very close to a 355.

Erik

 

I'll take 'em both!

 

Ha! You and me both!

 

I also like it

 

Didn't that car go to auction this year? I never saw what it went for. Does anyone recall?

 

It is for sale in Autoweek: http://marketplace.autoweek.com/classified/188/1989_Ferrari_348_GTO_concept.html

Seems a little high....

 

You're not kidding...I wonder if the seller realizes this car was not a factory concept? I can't imagine not knowing the story after reading the Forza article, so I don't know that anyone could claim ignorance on that front. Anyway...$750K??????? I changed my mind, I wouldn't buy it if I could, that's bat $&^t crazy!!

 

I think it's a simple mistake in placement of the decimal. $75k would still be just a little steep maybe, but within the realm of possibility.

 

Agreed. If the price is correct, the dude is on crack for a non-factory-modified 348

 

What edition of Forza was your 348 in?

 

#77 if I remember correctly. I remember seeing the car in the issue and thinking, "Wow, that's a 348 to own!!" I'm stoked that I became her next caretaker!

 

Yeah, thats where I got my "factory concept" info. Now that I know the story behind it I feel a lot less special about seeing it. Either way I still like it.

 

Don't feel less special. It's still a well-known example, or maybe notorious judging by some of the comments here I still say I like it, but I must admit I wouldn't want it as my only Ferrari.

I'm a little bothered by the whole "factory concept" claim in the ad. Anyone who reads the article would easily see otherwise, so I'm not sure what the story is there.

PS: I do miss the cheese graters!

 

Well since it's well known I wish I noticed it at Lime Rock, I was there but missed it...but yes, that poor 348 got slapped by the ugly stick, hard. Maybe the oversize horse on the fender makes it more special?

 

Such a reasonable price for such a fine motorcar. May I interest you in a bridge?

The artfully crafted badges may be nice, but cheers all around for the LeMans fuel filler with 10" extension. Especially helpful in filling stations with shorter hoses.

 

The fuel filler was mentioned in the Forza article. Supposedly, it was not long for this world as the owner was not happy with it, but I see that did not pan out.

 

Was this car stretched out in the rear? It looks longer in the back to me.

Mike
Reading, PA

 

Some guys like stock cars, some guys like hot rods. Some guys drag race, some road race. Some guys like modern art, some like realism. I don't like all of them but I appreciate and respect the work and the art in each. Me, I like to customize my car to make it different from everybody else's. This guy did some great custom work. I would have done a few things differently, sure, but the fact that this guy chose the same platform as me gives me a warm feeling about it, and I do see things he did that I would like to do to my car. Bravo to him! Very cool car!