Click on this link: http://webpages.charter.net/aircover/348/1994Ferrari348Spider.html#VINs and you'll see the range of VIN's for Ferrari 348's. This is all based upon the last 5 digits. Your car's VIN falls into the 1989 TB range.
Do you have any pics other than those on the auction? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/F355-Actual-James-Bond-Movie-car-from-Die-Another-Day_W0QQitemZ4620877150QQcategoryZ6212QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Shots of the interior might help determine the actual model of the car. The door latches are definitely 348. What does the title say? You DO know that that link's been down for a while? New link: http://www.nwrfca.org/faq/vin.html I think that VIN's altered/incorrect. ZFF -- Italy, Ferrari -- OK N -- NO such letter used A -- 3 point harness 41 -- F355 Berlinetta (but we can SEE it's a targa top) B -- Left-Hand drive vehicle for the European market. 0 -- check digit (US market) 0 -- Model Year in US (should be S for 95 unless a euro car) Bottom line, there's something screwy with that VIN stamping.
Autoholic, are located in the US? Britain? Other? If US based, you may need to get a US donor car and use that cars VIN for the completed car. Otherwise when you are complete your project you will run in to EPA headaches when you try to register your project....
lol..you guys are posting so fast......based on nodoubts info, it sounds like I should go with a 348 donor. Since I see salvage 355s in the mid to high twentys, would it be reasonable to expect to pay under $20000 for a 348? Image Unavailable, Please Login
Alright, some one has to say it... The most cost effective route is to put in some american iron, and make a cool car out of this. Get a twin turbo v8, and stick it in there. It would be a very cool car. Rebuilding a 348, is a task onto itself, and you will still have a mongrel 348 worth 25,000$. Wasn't someone (?Martin) selling a track ready 348 on here for something in the thirties? You will be upside down on this project in about 10 minutes...
I agree with Bo Get a V8 Fiero kit, grab a 5 speed Getrag out of a late model V6, combine that with an aluminum 350 chevy and you're on your way. String your own wiring harness, throw in a couple of track seats, and shazam!
Just looks like pin-stripe decals on a Berlinetta top, to me. Look at the rubber weatherstripping that has no breaks as it goes all around the window...can't do that with a removable top. The interior door leather panels are 348. The steering wheel is 348 (no air bag), too. Exterior door button is 348. ...And the VIN is 348. It's a 348.
Actually, it really is a berlinetta. The black lines you think are the top seals are black pinstripes added to make it look like a targa for the movie. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Looks like this is the winning bidder @ 15,433.00 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4636231975 I see he's right about it not being a targa: http://www.crenshawlocomotiveworks.com/html/ferrari_f355.html Not a bad price, if it can ever be titled. But the doors are 348. Strange. EDIT: Anyway, www.FerrariService.ws has a smashed spider that could probably provide the drivetrain and some interior parts
Thanks Tillman. I called ferrariservice.com about the 348 but he says that the car in his photos has since been hacked and parted out to the point that it would not be useful. Thanks again to everyone for all your help. If you have any other 348 salvage leads, please post them.
Does anyone know what the legalities of "what constitues a car" ? Seems to me, for this project to go anywhere, Autoholic needs a US VIN Number. Is it legal to buy the frame of the above posted crushed 348, or even just the VIN Stamping, and transfer that over? Just curious....
Interesting group of parts-I think it'll come together well. Easy way to check engine compartment. I note a transaxle case. 348s, at least the earlier ones, mounted the tranny on top, while 355s used a side mount, with pads of the main frame rails.
With my old porsche restorations, the manufacturer would (for a fee) provide me with a letter confirming the model, date of manufacture, and what options the car was delivered with. Will Ferrari do that?
Although the liklihood of getting caught swapping VIN's is probably pretty small, the penalties can be severe. If the EPA thinks you swapped VIN's to avoid federalizing the car it is a $25,000 fine. Start with the EPA and dig through their info for a glimpse of all the wonderful things that can happen... I imagine the state government also wouldn't be too cool with this since VIN's in most cases are removed from junker cars to replace the VIN's on stolen cars. IMHO swapping VIN's is a VERY bad idea - although buying a US 348 with extensive body damage, and then using your car as the donor for body panels would be perfectly fine.
I also forgot to mention swapping VIN plates is a violation of the Fed's vehicle title fraud laws. All in all, you can get in some serious sh-t if caught!
ferrari owners site no longer provides "heritage certificates" stopped a few years ago..was such a cool service, sad they stopped, don't know why but would have solved most of the issues of this thread.
This car is an interesting can of worms. I checked the E-Bay auction listing and the word TITLE was used only one time in the listing. And it said TITLE: UNspecified. Sounds like Autoholic did NOT get a title with the car??? Is this correct? This could be trouble. If, as others have said, the car is a European model and it was never officially approved for US entry, then it officially could NOT be titled anywhere in the United States. But TECHNICALLY speaking, it should never have been allowed into the United States AT ALL. There must have been some provision for allowing the car to enter the US for the movie production, and that may be to Autoholics benefit. As they say, possession is 9/10s of the law. SOMEWHERE there must be some official entry paperwork in a government customs archive that would list the car's point of entry and classification. WARNING!!! You are now entering the territory of what I have always referred to as: "Don't look for something that you do NOT want to find." In other words, if you start inquiring to the US Customs Service about the car, and they pull up a file indicating that the car is NON-DOT/EPA approved for US entry, they could very well send some US Marshalls and a wrecker to your door to confiscate the car!!! I believe this was done to one of the Porsche 959 cars that entered the US. But if the car officially entered the US as a NON-running movie PROP and NOT a complete automobile, then you're still on thin ice. It might technically and legally be an automotive lawn ornament that you would never be allowed a title in the US. It would depend upon the state you were trying to get a title in. THAT is where the real world advantage comes into play. Chances are, in states like Arkansas, you could get it titled because they don't have any smog checks or inspections or other such red tape. But you would still probably have to get a lawyer to obtain a court order to issue a title because it is not old enough to be classified as an antique auto that is constructed out of assorted parts.
Interesting history¡ How can i check the serial of my F-Cars? http://www.ferrariclub.com/faq/vin.html this link doesn`t work :S Best Regards Gaby
New link: http://www.nwrfca.org/faq/vin.html To the original poster, do you see the numbers "0846" on a chunk of tubing in there?
LOL. To the original poster... I suspect you didn't get the inside joke. Get a comfortable chair, perhaps a cigar or a drink, and enjoy a good read: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=69585
There is a running 348, that has a little damage, salvage title, interior out, but has, that the guy has lost interest in fixing up, I thought I heard he would sell the whole thing for less than $10,000. Guess he is sick of seeing it in his garage. He is a member here somewere, "348 project" or similiar name. I think he bought the thing for around $6,000-$7,000. I heard about it at Motorcars International, the car is in the midwest.
