Howdy brotherhood: Looks like we will be able to ship out the first LeMans Grills the last week of December. I'd let Santa take a few but I don't trust an open sleigh. I've got a "want to buy one" list going if you care for a Grill. When your name comes up, I'll email you. If you want to take a pass but stay on the list for a later date, I'll just put you at the bottom and let you work your way back up. From this point on, I will have an ad in Ferrariads. If you want to read a little more about the panel, you can go to the website, although Rob wasn't too hip on providing a direct link. So you will have to get there the hard way!!! type www. on your web address then ferraricustoms.com. I am so thrilled that this has come together finally. Thanks to all of you who helped get this off the ground, almost a year ago!
Good Job Husker. Hat's off to you for making this happen. The best thing about 348 ownership is the depth of knowledge and talent on Fchat. So..... What do we call this thing? need a poll? Husker grill? LeMans grill? Fchat grill?
I picked LeMans, because when I was in high school I wanted a Pontiac LeMans. Enzo's rolling in his grave about now. Here's the link to the ad: http://www.ferrarichat.com/ferrariads/showproduct.php?product=2207
Hey Husker, How about some pics of the rear of the panal installed and uninstalled also what will be required to install it? any cutting and can your guy make a solid rear panal without the mesh grill, great job
Some good questions. I will dig around and see if I have a before and after photo of the housing bracket. But essentially all you are doing is making the opening a bit larger. You snip off an extra appox. 1/2 inch on the top of the opening, and snip off an extra 1/2 on the bottom of the opening. Additionally, there are three vertical mounting points for the rectangular set-up on both the left and right side. You snip off two of these per side to make room for the round lights. It's really very easy. As an experiment, I returned mine to stock to see how difficult it would be. It's actually quite easy - you simply weld the mounting points back on as you had them, and some new sheet metal strips to put that 1/2 inch back on that you cut off of the top and bottom, and voila! You're back to stock! At first I wasn't too keen on "snipping" anything on a Ferrari. But you have to realize that this mounting bracket is invisible when either taillight treatment is installed, and is simply painted sheet metal. Not a big deal once I did it. As for the solid panel, I haven't experimented with one, but I would have concerns over engine heat retention. The "slats" on the rear of the 348 serve an important purpose in helping disperse the engine's heat. If you effectively close that off by having a solid panel, I would wonder if the engine operating temperature might be compromised. If anyone has a solid panel conversion out there, they might be able to comment on this aspect.
Hey Husker, As far as the engine heat I don't think it's a problem. When I bought my car from Bushwhacker it had a solid 355 style panel on it. I didn't notice any engine temp issues at all, and I'm in Phoenix Az. I foolishly sold the panel to go back to stock and now regret it. Unfortunately my current economic situation prohibits me from reversing that decision. Who knows maybe down the road I place an order with you. You have done a wonderfull job with this project my friend. You should be proud. Scott and Dennis, don't you even say it.
Hi John - Do you still have cats? That would increase engine compt. temps I believe. PS - still looking for another ride?
No heat problem,,i have the solid carbon fibre (painted to match car) from SL Wheel on the TS for a over a year now..believe it was about a $1000..did targa,rockers and spoiler in red also w/355 wheels...a GREAT look..
Thanks for the info. re: the solid panel. I knew that a number of them had been installed over the years and in fact I considered one myself. I thought the only issue would possibly be the heat, but apparently enough heat goes out the top of the decklid. Just for fun, I'd like to see a few pics of the solid panel - I know they have been posted before but I'm not real handy with the search function.
Yes, I have cats(hyperflows). Yeah I'm still longing for a 360 with F1 so I could actually go out and drive my car without needing pain pills the next day. Hell I'd consider a 456 with an auto....maybe. here are some rear shots of my car before I went back to stock. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Thanks Husker, they're made by Ronal. 3 piece 18's Here's a close up and a one more of the rear panel. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
that's the best looking 348 I've ever seen. Those few cosmetic mods, tastefully done, completely transform the 348.
Nice one Husker. However I still yearn to find one in the 355 all holed, 'chicken wire' style if you jnow what I mean. I had also once seen somewhere here a black 348 with what I would consider the perfect compromise: the stock slats expertly and round neatly cut to house round tail-lights! Anyone knows more re these 2 alternatives (always keeping my hat off to Husker)?
Husker, Here's a couple pics of the mounting plate the 'Tillack' guys fabricated to fit the panel so it could be easily removed and put back to stock like John did after he bought the car from me. These pics are from the records book I created for the car but may provide enough information although small. John of course has the book and I'm sure could provide you with better pics......great work on the new grill.........Dennis Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I may be too cavalier about the mounting bracket, but it didn't bother me to trim it - it's just painted sheet metal. We restored my car's bracket to stock see how difficult it would be. My dad is good with a welder and it took him about 45 minutes to put the pieces back on that I clipped, and 4 new thin pieces of sheet metal. No biggie. The Grill does come with instructions on restoring the panel to stock if someone wants to do that.
