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355 Challenge Car

Discussion in 'Challenge/GT Cars/Track' started by mclaudio, Aug 9, 2007.

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  1. ferrarioldman

    ferrarioldman Formula 3
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    #26 ferrarioldman, Aug 20, 2007
    #111840 was originally sold by Foreign Cars Italia. They had a team for 2 years then a couple of the cars went to Ferrari of Atlanta. What I don't know exactly is who's car it was. I'm afrair my records are poor at best. They had 4 cars, blue, red, barchetta red and white. I know that the red one now belongs to a chiropractor in NC.
    The blue one was owned and raced by ---- Robertson. (can't think of his first name, son of Pat Robertson)
    Red one was owned and driven by Leo Hindery
    Barchetta one was owned and driven by Marvin Jones.
    White one was owned and driven by Mat Drindel.

    They were all, in one way or another, related to the cable business.
     
  2. Llenroc

    Llenroc F1 Veteran
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    #27 Llenroc, Aug 20, 2007
    Hi Jim, How are ya? Yes I moved here in January, had to escape the winters I have been putting up with all my life. I didn't know it didn't snow 5 months out of the year in other parts of the world, hahaha. Vern
     
  3. Llenroc

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    #28 Llenroc, Aug 20, 2007
    I have owned my car since 2002 and haven't found myself tired of the experiance yet. In the 20 years I've owned fcars this is the most fun I have had. Like you said to each their own, this car is diffenently not for everyone. But if you love machinery and ferraris this is a great way to experiance the more rawness of this marque, besides I can't afford a GTO, Testa Rossa etc. The 355CH is no worse to live with than one of those.. actually probably easier. regards, Vern
     
  4. mclaudio

    mclaudio Formula 3

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    #29 mclaudio, Aug 21, 2007

    Jim,

    My shorter term intent with the car is to only use a car for track days and not necessarily wheel-to-wheel racing. Seat time is my main objective, followed by having a car I can envision keeping long term. Speaking of longer term ( 5+ years), I would like to have a proper race car, which has some racing provenance, is a factory-built race car, and could be eligible for vintage/historic events.

    I am considering a 355 Ch as it is a car that may most closely resembles my criteria short and long term. Short term, one option is to just rent a race/track car on a day/weekend basis. However, my initial financial analysis indicates that as long as the car maintains its value (at least minimal loss) and I use the car approx. 8 weekends a year for 5+ years, I'm better off buying a car. Having said this, your info regarding 355 Ch running costs are new datapoints I need to further explore.

    Another option I considered but is not high in my list is to build a track car out of a street car; this is a "been there, done that" for me. I learned a lot and enjoyed this experience with my early 911, but I would much rather have a proper race car. From a build cost and value perspective, I believe buying a proper race car is a better choice.

    Long term, it remains to be seen how valuable a 355 Ch will be in the future. Although it does not compare to Le Man provenance (or other major pro races) type cars, at least it is a factory-built race car, which I believe is a level up from street cars turned into race cars. With more and more enthusiasts doing track days, such cars may be more in demand in the future. Besides, cars with major race provenance are out of my price range at this time. Most importantly, the 355 Ch is a car that I simply like. In other words, I'm not necessarily after breaking lap records. Rather, I'm after having some fun and getting seat time at the track in a car I enjoy/appreciate while maintaining a level of camaraderie with folks who appreciate such cars.

    I guess this is ultimately why vintage/historic racing is attractive to me...

    BTW, this is good feedback as it helps me crystallize my thoughts and 355 Ch considerations...thanks.
     
  5. mclaudio

    mclaudio Formula 3

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    #30 mclaudio, Aug 21, 2007

    Thanks a lot for the info!!! This site is a great resource...
     
  6. Llenroc

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    #31 Llenroc, Aug 21, 2007
    Hey ferrarioldman would it be too much trouble for you to tell me what you know about No. 108155. Car #88 at one time and #65 at another. Regards, Vern
     
  7. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #32 285ferrari, Aug 21, 2007
    Tom---Any VIN info you would like to share with the registry would be fantabulous!!!
    WWW.FERRARI355REGISTRY.COM
     
  8. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #33 285ferrari, Aug 21, 2007
    The registry says that car is owned by Vern!!! :D

    Vern you have more than 16K miles on it yet??? That was the last mileage entry I have for you..
     
  9. mclaudio

    mclaudio Formula 3

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    #34 mclaudio, Aug 22, 2007
    Too late. The car I was considering locally just sold...I appreciate everybody's feedback and suggestions.

    Jim/Boxer12, I think it's funny that you mentioned,"...Sure you wouldn't rather have a pristine TR in the garage?" Well, I drove one that was for sale yesterday at the same dealer. Long story short, I ended up buying it. Although it was not the intended plan, the early TR is one that I had planned to own at some point. After driving it, seeing that this TR itself was in great condition and considering the latest price trends of TR's, I decided it was the right time to own one. Negotiated in the deal is a major service, etc. so I will be taking delivery in a couple of weeks.

    So, my quest for a proper race car is postponed for now...Besides, my brother recently purchased a Lotus 190S, which is a track-only car, and we have been talking about sharing cars. Perhaps, using his car and renting a track-prepped car i.e. from a driving school will alleviate my track-jollies for the next year or so...
     
  10. rob lay

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    #35 rob lay, Aug 22, 2007
    Hmm, I can provide a little input here, I'll try to keep it short and sweet…

    1) Driving a 355 C on the street is possible, but I'm with Jon that I have no desire to do it. I have been tempted as there are several shows within 3-4 miles of my house and the loading and unloading and loading and unloading in one day gets old. My biggest two concerns would be roll cage on my soft head and also risk of impound. If I had no interest in the track and only wanted to drive around to shows and maybe rallies I would go with softer springs, street tires, and a bolt-in cage I could remove any bars I would hit in a wreck.

    2) 355 C's are not all that expensive to operate, at least in regards to other race cars. I've owned #104504 now for almost 5 years. I have raced door to door with NASA about 10 days, tracked 40 days, and showed 10 times. Car has required nothing but standard maintenance. The rotors last forever, the pads are cheap, and you can get nice used slicks for $70 a tire. The 355 C has been much easier to operate than pretending the street RX7 and RX8's are race cars once you put a roll cage and suspension in them. The 355 C is built on a street car, but the street car has racing heritage and the challenge kit is durable to the rigors of racing. I can race a weekend with NASA for $300 entry, $280 tires, and maybe $200 in misc. My RX8 weekends cost up around $2,000.

    3) D.S. is the person with all the know on the Challenge racing history. When I bought mine I was interested in piecing the history together as well, but D.S. has all the info in boxes and boxes. He doesn't have the time or organization to provide the info at this point. It will take someone going in there and taking the time to make this info accessible. Cavallino is about the best source remaining.

    4) All in all I agree nothing to get excited about with the history of 355 C's. It was an amateur series with amateur drivers, but I believe there are certain cars or certain drivers that will have history beyond average. #104504 won 2 American Championships, 1 Enduro Championship, and raced in Europe with Steve Earle at the wheel. About the only significance of the 2nd owner racing it after Earle moved to the 360 C is that it raced first year of Indy F1, last row I believe. :)

    After the SCCA Runoffs this year my T3 RX8 is for sale and plans are just to race the 355 C with NASA. We're starting a Ferrari series and already have 4-5 cars that will participate just in Texas. We'll start small, but there should be several C cars of all flavors racing with us in a couple years. All the Challenge cars fit nicely in the NASA GTS series, there is a national championship at Mid-Ohio, and it makes for good weekends as street Ferraris can run too in the HPDE groups. When I retire her from racing, I plan on restoring back to one of the years Steve Earle won a championship.
     
  11. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #36 BigTex, Aug 22, 2007
    Yep, it was there at Indy Rob, I saw it and Dr. Earle gave me his hat and a helmet pin.....;)

    I may even have a pic of it in the Challenge Pits, I'll look........
     
  12. ferrarioldman

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    #37 ferrarioldman, Aug 22, 2007
    Claudio,
    What color was the 111840 challenge car you were looking to buy?
     
  13. Llenroc

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    #38 Llenroc, Aug 22, 2007
    I know how ownes it, hahaha just wanting to see if there is any info about the car that I don't already know. regards, Vern
     
  14. ferrarioldman

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    #39 ferrarioldman, Aug 22, 2007
    I wish I had kept better records. All of these were sold by FCI.
    The other 3 challenge cars were
    111869
    111774
    111787

    If I find more info I will post it.
     
  15. ferrarioldman

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    #40 ferrarioldman, Aug 22, 2007
    Sorry Vern. I don't have any info on your car. Hopefully I will come across some old pictures. Maybe your car will be in one.

    Our best running car ran neck and neck to Dr. Earl's car in the last race of the '99 season for the championship at Leguna Seca until the engine blew on the next to the last lap. Hmmm... 285, here may be some more info I just found.
    These Challenge cars ran out of Ferrari of Houston from a record I have dated 1996:
    100385
    100208
    104516
    104478
     
  16. Juan-Manuel Fantango

    Juan-Manuel Fantango F1 World Champ
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    #41 Juan-Manuel Fantango, Aug 22, 2007
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    I am glad to see all of the interest in these cars-they are great track day and for rallying. My car won the last 348 series, raced at many great tracking including Mugello. I was talking to Bruce Miller, the great photographer for the series today, and after sending him some photos, he recalled how they drove the Millie Miglia route, with children waving, dogs barking, and people inviting them into their homes...Italians love Ferrari, Woman, and wine.

    David Seibert, the Father of the Ferrari Challenge, has resigned just recently, and we are very pleased that he will be at our event on 9-21-23 in Greenville and Clemson SC. As far as I am concerned, he is irreplaceable. Our other guest include his good friend Luigi Chinetti, Jr. Buck Fulp, former N.A.R.T. driver, the great John Finger-team Mazda among others, CC Canada, and Bruce Miller. It will be a fun affair. I also hear that the French Quarter Classic may have a Challenge Reunion style race-something that I proposed for the FCA National meet, that no one seemed too interested in. Strange to me since it is really a big track event.

    Anyway, come on down to our event, go to www.fca-sc.org for info. As a note, the home is the home of Coach I, who is hosting this event. A wonderful man who is enthusiastic about all things Ferrari.
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  17. rob lay

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    #42 rob lay, Aug 22, 2007
    That would be 104504 and it was a FoH car as well.
     
  18. Llenroc

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    #43 Llenroc, Aug 22, 2007
    Thanks for looking Tom appreciate the time. I have a fairly good history just wondering if i was missing anything. Regards, Vern
     
  19. Llenroc

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    #44 Llenroc, Aug 22, 2007
    Another comment on driving the CH cars on the street. I think these guys that have these bazillon cu. in. motors with blowers on them stuffed into an early 1900s something or other with bicycle tires on the front or the Shelby Cobras with side oiler 427s in them or the more recent bugatti with 1000 hp are crazier, to name only 3 of a fairly large group of somewhat over the top autos (altho I love those cars too) than me driving a slightly stiffly sprung 355CH on back country roads.
     
  20. Boxer12

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    #45 Boxer12, Aug 23, 2007
    Congrats, and welcome to the world of TR ownership! You will likely enjoy the experience, and will NEVER tire of taking a glance of the car in garage, let alone driving it! There are many driver's events that are put on by the FCA, and other groups, with 'spirited' driving on the track or back country roads. I recommend joining FCA just for the track events. You will enjoy it. The TR is a hell of a lot faster than most people realize, and I would take one over a 355 (even CH) any day. Put a Tubi on it if you haven't got one, it is worth it. The sound will be your favorite experience of every drive, so invest a little extra and ENJOY! I am thinking of going to Roebling Road event in Savannah (Oct), if you are interested, email me and I will send you the entry forms.

    I think you were wise to negotiate for a car with a major service included. That way you know what you are getting for your money. No worries about who did the work, etc. Do you get to pick your shop? If so, take advantage of the guys here for info on the best shop, or contact Daniel at Ricambi (a sponsor). They sell the parts, and he is very active in FCA and can tell you who is the TR guru in your area. Not that there is anything particularly difficult about doing the major, just you might get a little extra TLC by the guy doing the job, although I think all Ftechs love to work on the TR.

    Be sure and drive your car regularly. They do best when driven weekly. Run the motor at least monthly in the winter months too. The FCA Tech Director believes that you can go 10 year intervals on the belts if you run your motor every month. Many people do it, although you will hear a lot of shops frown on it, and why wouldn't they? Lots of labor in a TR major, and money in their pocket. Some guys can't live with the risk, but my car went 10 years before its first major and no problems. In fact, the belts looked almost new when they were removed. Anyway, you know the history because it will be fresh when you get it.

    Hope to see you at some FCA events. Very few TR's out these days. More likely to see a Boxer. Not sure why that is, but it is a definite trend. I think the TR is a better car all around, but Boxer guys are like old Muscle car owners...they just ignore the improvements in the newer models. Anyway, enjoy your new car.. it is a hell of a lot better than a 911. (I drove one for 13 years and like you, modded it for the track, but got bored with it.) You will never get bored with the TR. ;)
     
  21. rob lay

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    #46 rob lay, Aug 23, 2007
    If you are looking for a street car I agree. The 355 C kills the TR on the track and is much safer while doing it. I'm not crazy about any street cars on the track unless you can afford to wad the car and have the driving skills. Even with the skills the inevitable happens that there will be an oil spill, coolant spill, flat tire, or mistake by another driver that gets you in trouble. That's when you need the roll cage and 5 point.

    For a pure track car, not much beats the 355 C. 348 C is a great value, but significantly slower. The 360 and 430 C's require more support than what most drivers can do themselves. The 355 C is simply unload the car, brakes, tires, and go!
     
  22. mclaudio

    mclaudio Formula 3

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    #47 mclaudio, Aug 23, 2007
    Rob,

    Just out of curiousity, what is involved with prepping the 360C versus the 355C? Why does it require more support?
     
  23. rob lay

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    #48 rob lay, Aug 23, 2007
    Well, I've never run a 360 C before, but I think the short answer is SD2. Can someone else with experience provide insight?
     
  24. Llenroc

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    #49 Llenroc, Aug 23, 2007
    Actually I think its an SD3 but whatever you would need one or the other.
     
  25. gatorgreg

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    #50 gatorgreg, Aug 24, 2007
    I wanted to thank everyone on this thread. This week I bought the black 355 CH which was mentioned from the earlier post, the one from NE autoexhange. I was also thinking 360 or a 355 CH. It really came down to $ and street use. I am thinking that the 355 is cheaper to operate over the long haul and I wouldn't worry so much about it. I like the fact that I can just drive it to the mechanic. I would like to know where do you get $70 racing tires? Some other information which helped me make a decision, I was told the 360 is more difficult to drive at limit than a 355. I was told the 360 to get is the Grand Am cars with the front air dam and GT wing. They are a lot more stable. Thanks again!
     
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