Broken 348 Driving/Fogs ... need head count. | FerrariChat
Buy

Broken 348 Driving/Fogs ... need head count.

Discussion in '348/355' started by mj_duell, Oct 21, 2009.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Page 1 of 3
  1. mj_duell

    mj_duell Formula 3

    Nov 20, 2004
    1,421
    S. Glastonbury, CT.
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #1 mj_duell, Oct 21, 2009
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2009
    O.K., working on something. How many actually have broken fog lenes on one or both driving lights? Need to figure if my project is worth the time. Polycarbonate Lenses as direct replacements for stock. Don't hold me too it yet, came across a company that does this recently and have been in negotiations with them. I am willing to use my OEM lights as guinea pigs, they could even be broken in the process. The pricing so far for tooling looks good depending on how many 348 owners would need them. Keep in mind this is a big if and there are technical issues that will need to be worked out. Early figures are around $450.00 per side if this happens. I need to get a good feel for the need first.

    --Mike
     
  2. Kaivball

    Kaivball Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jan 11, 2007
    35,997
    Kalifornia
    #2 Kaivball, Oct 21, 2009
    None after 3 years of ownership.

    I added the plastic protector 6 months ago though.

    Kai
     
  3. 3forty8

    3forty8 F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Apr 25, 2006
    2,713
    San Diego
    Full Name:
    Eric
    #3 3forty8, Oct 21, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Mike,

    You might want to check in with Daniel at Ricambi or do a search in this section - I seem to recall a thread about 6 or 8 months ago that indicated the original manufacturer was going to start producing them again, or had sold the molds to another company to produce them.

    Mine aren't cracked, and if they do crack it will be because the whole front bumper is destroyed (Lexan cut into challenge-style covers covered with impact resistant film):
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  4. angelis

    angelis F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Jun 18, 2004
    6,400
    London, England
    Full Name:
    Sy
    #4 angelis, Oct 21, 2009
    You can get new ones now.

    They cost around £800 (UK) each.

    I'm putting the challenge lenses on mine.
     
  5. mj_duell

    mj_duell Formula 3

    Nov 20, 2004
    1,421
    S. Glastonbury, CT.
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #5 mj_duell, Oct 21, 2009

    O.K. guys, I did look the glass OEM lenses, but at $1600.00 U.S. per side, they are not cost effective for a lot of 348 buyers. The Challenge covers are also nice, but remove the stock appearence and the film protection, which I currently have, is not fool proof and starts to peel after a while as well. I am looking at a solution that would cost less than $500.00 a side, look OEM and be as indestructable as the Challenge style covers without drilling into the body.

    If there is a market for this I will go ahead and do this. I already have one lens cracked by a large rock that the 40 mil film did not protect me from. I am not ready to pay $1600.00 for one light, not including shipping. So if anyone does want lenses like this please let me know.

    Thanks,

    Mike
     
  6. 3forty8

    3forty8 F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Apr 25, 2006
    2,713
    San Diego
    Full Name:
    Eric
    #6 3forty8, Oct 21, 2009
    Mike, I wasn't trying to rain on your parade - just wanted to make sure you were aware of current developments before laying out significant cash for the tooling costs.

    If my lenses were to crack, then yes, a lower cost alternative would be fantastic.
     
  7. mj_duell

    mj_duell Formula 3

    Nov 20, 2004
    1,421
    S. Glastonbury, CT.
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #7 mj_duell, Oct 21, 2009
    Oh..no..sorry, no rain, I didn't mean to sound that way, just explaining. I know the risk. I was so bummed when I found that crack and the timing on finding the alternative was great. The tooling is not that bad if I get a relatively few amount of orders later. The minimum order is small so I am not overly worried. I also like the fact they will be made right here in the U.S.. The risk lies in the tool making and risking my fogs, including the good one. Also if this was to work for the 348, it could be viable for other models, depending.

    --Mike :)
     
  8. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
    34,789
    Ontario, Canada
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #8 AceMaster, Oct 21, 2009
    +1
     
  9. speedtrapp

    speedtrapp Formula Junior

    Mar 26, 2007
    308
    Full Name:
    Tommy
    #9 speedtrapp, Oct 21, 2009
    I would be in too---just for peace of mind i would put the plastic ones in and save the glass ones
     
  10. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,232
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    #10 PAP 348, Oct 21, 2009
    Cool idea. :):)

    I hope its not as expensive there to make the vacuum mold like it is here Mike. :D:D
     
  11. ferrari 512 tr

    ferrari 512 tr F1 Rookie

    Nov 16, 2008
    4,180
    Australia
    Full Name:
    Paolo
    #11 ferrari 512 tr, Oct 21, 2009
    mike
    yr the best
     
  12. mj_duell

    mj_duell Formula 3

    Nov 20, 2004
    1,421
    S. Glastonbury, CT.
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #12 mj_duell, Oct 21, 2009
    See your PM... :D
     
  13. mj_duell

    mj_duell Formula 3

    Nov 20, 2004
    1,421
    S. Glastonbury, CT.
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #13 mj_duell, Oct 21, 2009
    My wife hates it when I get bored, I get ideas. Winter is coming soon and I need a project and with my cars mileage and being a driver it is not a huge deal. I am making front and rear mods anyway, a weight loss program and a few other things to the 348 so she will be changed no matter what. I am sure now I will probably go for it, should take about two months to see the first unit. I am nervous about risking my OEM fogs if the project doesn't turn out, but "No balls, No glory". Worst case I will change over to an F355 nose and give up ;).

    --Mike
     
  14. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,232
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    #14 PAP 348, Oct 21, 2009
    ;);)

    Lol! Im sure you will work it out Mike! :D:D
     
  15. Night life

    Night life F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 1, 2007
    7,311
    The city that rhymes with fun in Canada
    Full Name:
    Roberto
    #15 Night life, Oct 22, 2009
    Both mine are cracked due to my stupidity, I do have one replacement left side undamaged, I am not putting it on till I sell it ..........if I ever...:)
     
  16. mad dog

    mad dog Formula Junior

    Jan 5, 2006
    875
    suffolk uk
    Full Name:
    andrew
    #16 mad dog, Oct 22, 2009
    There was a friend of a friend who has done this. I had a set on my old 348. His company makes stuff for the odd championship winning F1 team, so he may be a little less busy now. Ill chase him up and see if he can produce some more.
     
  17. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,232
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    #17 PAP 348, Oct 22, 2009
    Ah, thanks mate. It was YOU I was thinking about that had a friend who made some. :D:D

    I thought it was Sy for a second there. :D:D

    You dont have a headlight switch for your 348 laying around by any chance do you? ;);)
     
  18. mj_duell

    mj_duell Formula 3

    Nov 20, 2004
    1,421
    S. Glastonbury, CT.
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #18 mj_duell, Oct 22, 2009
    I have decided to go ahead and do this, but I am very curious as too the cost on his lenses if they are still able to make them. Do you have pictures of those lenses?

    --Mike :D
     
  19. TexFerrari

    TexFerrari Formula 3

    Sep 11, 2004
    1,194
    Texas of course!
    #19 TexFerrari, Oct 22, 2009
    Got a crack on one also, add me to the list.
     
  20. mj_duell

    mj_duell Formula 3

    Nov 20, 2004
    1,421
    S. Glastonbury, CT.
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #20 mj_duell, Oct 22, 2009
    You got it. I will let everyone know how the project is going and if we are a "go" in the next six to eight weeks. Should have a prototype set to display at that time and be ready to make parts if all goes well.

    --Mike
     
  21. mad dog

    mad dog Formula Junior

    Jan 5, 2006
    875
    suffolk uk
    Full Name:
    andrew
    #21 mad dog, Oct 22, 2009
    Sorry no switches here, although it is available now as spares from here and it did have quite a good switch, although i remember having to repair the indicator bit.
    http://www.douglasvalley.co.uk/item.asp?prodid=2520&spg=68&pgid=2

    Ill have a look see.
     
  22. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,232
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    #22 PAP 348, Oct 22, 2009
    Ah, looks nasty! :(:(

    I will investigate, thanks mate! ;);)
     
  23. mad dog

    mad dog Formula Junior

    Jan 5, 2006
    875
    suffolk uk
    Full Name:
    andrew
    #23 mad dog, Oct 22, 2009
    She did manage to keep me very safe, so whilst sad, Ill have nothing bad said against her!
     
  24. 3forty8

    3forty8 F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Apr 25, 2006
    2,713
    San Diego
    Full Name:
    Eric
    #24 3forty8, Oct 22, 2009
    Mike, maybe you can work something out with one of the guys that have cracked lenses. They can send them to you during the winter rather than risking your good one(s). Daniel has an extra cracked one, Roberto has a pair - as long as there is enough lens left to make a mold with the cracked ones it doesn't make sense to risk good lenses.

    I did a project with 355 tail lights last year and removed the lenses from the light holder. If it is the same bonding agent they use on the fogs it was difficult to remove the lenses without damaging them, but certainly not impossible. It just takes a lot of time and patience.
     
  25. mj_duell

    mj_duell Formula 3

    Nov 20, 2004
    1,421
    S. Glastonbury, CT.
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #25 mj_duell, Oct 22, 2009
    I agree! I actually have one cracked on the drivers side. Getting a cracked passenger side fog would be great as long as the glass was not separated where cracked. I am duplicating the exact glass pattern if possible. Anyone interested in sending me a cracked fog, let me know via PM.

    I am curious as to how you separated the lens from the base. I have experience doing this and a special "hot" tool which has worked great on other projects.

    Thanks,

    Mike
     
Page 1 of 3

Share This Page