What qualifies as a 348 challenge car? | FerrariChat

What qualifies as a 348 challenge car?

Discussion in 'Challenge/GT Cars/Track' started by davem, Jun 5, 2009.

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  1. davem

    davem F1 World Champ
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    Jan 21, 2002
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    Interested in a 348 or 355 Challenge car. Lately 348's and 355 have fallen in price enough that perhaps its better to buy a regular street 348 and "convert" it to a Challenge car. I realize as well that the cage for instance wasnt the best etc.. Many, like most track/race cars have been modified to varying degrees.

    So, the big question. Considering 348's, could you modify one to Challenge spec and run with other Challenge cars in the FCA sanctioned events or the other Historic events for Challenge cars?
     
  2. Miltonian

    Miltonian F1 Veteran

    Dec 11, 2002
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    There are people here who know a lot more than I do about this subject, but to quote from the track test of the 348 Challenge in "European Car", June 1994:

    "...there's a 29-part 348 Challenge kit (part #4620) that transforms any 348 (tb or ts) into a Challenge car. The kit consists (each with its own part number) of the same pedals, seats, belts, cage, switches and lens covers that must be installed on the factory cars, plus most of the components the factory cars received in Maranello, such as front and rear towing attachments, Pulsar battery, undercar brake ducting and less restrictive exhaust system. Cost: $4500; installation: $1750."
     
  3. davem

    davem F1 World Champ
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    #3 davem, Jun 5, 2009
    Last edited: Jun 5, 2009
    Jeff,

    Im familiar with the kit, though had no idea it was so cheap! Ahem reasonable that is. Im sure its much more than that now anyways.
    Im just curious if i were to buy a regular 348 and convert it now in 2009 would it be considered a Challenge car by the powers that be for certain events?

    Aware too that its cheaper to buy an already converted car in most cases. I bought my M3 already done by the previous owner.
     
  4. Miltonian

    Miltonian F1 Veteran

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    That's a tough question. Is a Challenge car a 348 that has a Challenge kit installed in it, or is it a 348 that competed in the Challenge Series? I suppose you would have to ask the sanctioning body for the event in question.

    I doubt if there is a list of chassis numbers for 348's that had the Challenge kit installed, either by the dealer or by the owner.

    Of course the 348 Competizione cars are something else.
     
  5. Llenroc

    Llenroc F1 Veteran
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    The CH kit for the 348 is not available from Ferrari and would probably be impossible to round up all the factory parts on the 2nd hand market. You would be better off to find a '93 that already has the kit installed. There were a hand full of '94 348CH imported but you still needed to install a lot of pieces from a kit supplied by the factory, that kit is also not available. Anyway my point is search out an already assembled car. I would think a 355CH would be better money spent if you want a Ferrari track car.
     
  6. Juan-Manuel Fantango

    Juan-Manuel Fantango F1 World Champ
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    #6 Juan-Manuel Fantango, Jun 8, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I really as glad to see all the interest these cars are getting. They're loads of fun. I just saw one on ebay buy it now for 38k, but it's off now. It was a 348SS-this I found odd. I have the serial numbers for most of the early cars, including all the early records. We are in the process of putting together a website that will host this information. My car won the last 348 Series in 1996, when it ran the supporting class to the 355, and it has been rebuilt over the last 6 months-again.
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