348 Challenge Grill update

Guys...I'm still working on this...Looks like I should have some sets ready to go mid to late July. This is going to look slick, but I know it's not going to appeal to everyone. Carbon Fiber is going to be the material. "Mesh" will be 1/8 inch diameter holes, with approximately 45 percent "open" area. TheOnlyest, you might be able to see the heat shield through it, but you'll have to be looking for it!

Stay tuned.

 

Just cross your fingers that this all comes together as it should. Sometimes you're really dependent on other people following through!

 

The Design? Well, it's top secret, but let me put it to you this way...our friend GothSpeed's grill should be considered a close cousin. Who knows we might even count Goth as part of the family of future 348 tail light panel reunions if he promises to behave himself.

There are actually several more cousins out there, but they aren't as widely known on F-chat as Goth's.

And don't paint that heat shield just yet - it might look kinda cool!

Hang tight!

 

The grill will convert the Fiero/Nissan 300Z look to a round tail-light set-up. There will be some similarity to the 355 grill, but the grill will be made of two materials: Carbon Fiber and Titanium (in all likelihood). The best that I can describe it is that the carbon fiber will serve as a "frame" for the outer portions of the grill, the corners, and the lights themselves. However, the perforated titanium will provide for the see-through effect.

Stay tuned...it's looking like we are about 45 days out. Of course, I am solely dependent upon my manufacturer and this is a comparatively tiny job for him. But he has an interest in it so, so far so good!

 

It's too early to tell on the price so far - there are several variables that we have to tie down.

One huge expense is the tail lights themselves - Ricambi quoted me approx. $1,000 for a set! Ouch! I ordered and examined a couple of "exact replica" examples, and they were trash.

I may sell these with or without the tail lights; with any luck one can pick up a set on ebay or something.

 

Daniel, are you aware of any viable aftermarket versions by chance?

 

I picked up a "beater" set of 355 tail lights. I've looked at the kit-car stuff and it looks OK from 20 feet I guess, but I wouldn't mount them on my car. I will just go OEM personally.