Rebadging a Ferrari...can I do it?

Sy:

After all the time, effort, and careful detailing which went into your car I see absolutely no reason not to badge it in any way you see fit. Although I am far from a 348 expert, your 348 is superior in every way to the original 348 Challenge. Therefore, my friend, have at it and enjoy it in good health. You deserve it.

 

Wow!!!
With all those mods, I'd be inclined to impress everyone by just installing a genuine, ultra-special factory "Type R" badge...

 

I see tonnes of cars with AMG/M/STI/GT2/HSV badges on them and always wondered why. Prestige or extra horses? Who are they trying to fool? Themselves or others?

Having said all that, it is your car after all and you have the right to do whatever you please. Personally I wouldn't do it.

 

..you don't need anybodys approval other than your own. I used to be into midyear corvettes where the more original they were the more they were worth. I don't know if that is the case here or not (348's) but they are only born original once. As for me, I have always liked the original cars. I don't think most people would know or care about the badging unless you were trying to sell it ..in that case the buyer should be informed.

 

I wouldn't do it, and also have extensive mods. Now that I think about it, I'd rather de-badge it more and take 348ts off the rear lid for a cleaner look than add a challenge one.

 

I would debadge the whole car and make it a sleeper. Who cares what other people think you have? It's what you know you've got that counts.

 

I see tons of fake AMG'S all day. Being an owner of a AMG car it bothers me. Maybee because i spent the extra money or because i am a true enthusiast.
The point in trying to make , how your car makes you feel inside when you turn the key is much more important than some piece of metal you put on the back of it.
The ultimate decision is always up to you. My late night 2 cents

 

If the badge is becoming unobtainable, keep it and sell it later for a profit?

 

Actually my 348TB is actually badged as a 348GTB
I have never really given it much thought and i'm sure that only Ferrari owners would notice

 

Took the words right out of my mouth.

Seriously, I'd just hang onto the badge and re-sell it later. At least in southern California, badging-up has a whiff of desperation about it -- like you bought the SL500 but want people to think you have the SL600, etc.

 

No from me Sy I'm afraid.

It's not a Challenge, it never will be. You'll know it's not real and so will your peers.

I also fully agree with what was said earlier. If you buy the badge, it may mean that a true Challenge owner further down the road cannot.

 

Hey man, why not just put a Fiero kit on it and blow 'em all away? Joking, but for cereal (south park, anyone?), your car's performance obviously blows the CH's away, so why downgrade? I would want to have the fastest standard, yet modded, road legal 348 in the UK than a legit, tracked-out 348CH. But if you like the badge, go for it. Seems like your car is so far ahead speedwise, however if it were mine I'd keep it lookin' stock just for the red-light-racer jaw drop effect.

Nice paint, too. Hope my Nero had some influence.

 

How about get custom badges made up?

"Angelis Edition" or something?

 

Agreed, you earned what ever badge you think looks good.

Personally I am going to follow an earlier suggestion for the 348 IMSA car....if I cant find a KIA badge, VW will do.

 

Agreed ... go for it Sy. There are a lot of street spec challenge cars in the US in a much milder spec than yours.

You have demonstrated a love for the 348 and have made a lot of unique changes and personalization - I think you more than deserve to put whatever badges you want on it.

 

Angelis:

It's your car, so you should do what makes YOU happy, and to hell with what the 'purists' think.

I personally like the look as well. I know I like mine! Frankly, nobody actually knows (or cares), other than me, and few other lunatics, what is on the back. If anything, it may start a few conversations while putting gas in the car.

 

Thanks for all your opinions guys.

That pic was one of the reasons why I wanted to get it, as it looks so cool.

I'm sure everyone here knows I'm not doing it to make people think my car is a Challenge. I just like the look of the badge.

I'll decide on monday when the car is finally finished.

 

Okay, I've watched this thread for a wile but decided not to say to much as to not creat a stink or offend the almighty 348 know it alls but since I'm in a bit of a $hitty mood today I'm going to respond with a big screw the purists. Do what you want it's your car and your hard earned money that paid for that overpriced badge that you bought just before I could LOL.
Yes, that's right folks I was going to put one of those on my car. Since my car is modded above what a challenge car is I think I could wear it as well. Remember 348 challenge cars were modified customer cars that went to the track to play. The last of the 348's carried the 348 challenge script, probably because Ferrari had a bunch laying around and figured it was good marketing for some leftover parts and a model that was on it's way out.
In conclusion I say do it and be happy with a neat upgrade to an already beautiful car.

 

Angelis, it begs the question, why didn't you set up a poll when you started this thread?

 

If you like the look, go for it. Of course, you run the risk of people thinking you are trying to pass off a non-challenge car as an original. Since you care what others think, it may not be a good idea.

 

Your car, do as you wish.

IIRC owners had a limited amount of choices on what bits they could modify their 348 with. Nobody said it had to have "this part or that part" in order to race in the series.

 

I look at it this way, Sy. It's your car and since it's not a collectable (such as a GTB or Competizione or even a SS if you were truly lucky) go ahead and put the badge on there. Heck, your car is more of a Challenge car than the road version Challenges. You'd need fire supression, fuel cell and ignition cut off to rank along with the track versions.

That said, on a more serious note, any 348 could have been converted to a Challenge car. The factory made it easier since they offered the package, but as long as you outfitted your car according to the Challenge specs, you had a track car. Let's see, there was a black SS TS that was convereted to Challenge specs that was on eBay a couple of years back and plugzit owned that cool red SS TB race car that could have been raced in the challenge series for all we know. It did have quite a race history.

So, slap that puppy on the azz end of your baby, Sy, and drive the biyotch like you stole it!

 

Bet you wouldn't dream of putting a sad cheapo vanity plate on your oen 360..

 

Yes he has, i have a picture of it

 

Sy- Do what you want on this one (everyone already took away your beloved stripes). You have created what Ferrari would have pulled together per a buyer specification. I like the idea of making your own badge... how about a Sy-Speciale? I'm not going to tell you what to wear so to each his own my friend!

Brian