Finally Done - 348

Almost 2 years ago I bought my Ferrari 348 TS. Over that time, between bantering 355 owners obviously, I've bit by bit got her up to a standard that I'm happy with, either doing bits myself or getting professionals to do the work. Depending on what needed doing I've used an Indie near me called Shiltech who are particularly good with engines in particular, my local Ferrari Main Dealer, Graypaul's of Nottingham for several bits and a detailing outfit called Topaz detailing from Kensington in London who are simply superb when it comes to that area (I very much doubt you'd find better anywhere on the planet - I know of owners of brand new 458 Spiders who have had Topaz 'correct' the paintwork on cars that are direct from the factory, their results are that outstanding).

To start with the interior was what can only really be called a shambles, the engine was black and the paintwork was scratched (but hey, got her resprayed anyway prior to getting Topaz to work their magic). The wheels were tarnished and curbed, the interior plastic looked like a crazed hampster had attacked it and the underside 'needed work'!

Well I finally got the last bits done - a new windscreen is in, the black panel over the engine is now the matte balck it is supposed to be and the engine bay is now looking the part with decals etc now in place.

Here is a list of what has been done, I've probably missed some things but this is what I can think of for now. Top advice - if you're going to do this go into it with open eyes. When I told an Indie I know about my plans he shook his head and told me it was going to be 'pricey' and we're talking well into 360 money - but I didn't want a 360 or a 355, I just wanted my boyhood poster car and that was a 348 TS, Rosso with cream interior. Anyway, here's the list:

Mechanical

Engine out cam belt service (engine detailed when out)
Misc additional seals and gaskets changed
Throttle cable and linkage re-lubed along whole length - made huge difference
Alternator replaced - wiring loom replaced/rewired
Battery replaced
Fuel lines replaced
Fuel filters replaced
Brake pads replaced
Door wiring loom repaired
Glove box fixed
Door handle repaired
Misc bulbs replaced
Electric window motors refurbed
Aftermarket roof aerial removed and hole welded up (now back under trim above front screen)
underside cleaned up and resealed
New windscreen fitted with new trims and gasket
Nouvalari Supersport exhaust fitted
High flow sports cats fitted
Air filter changed for high flow
All rubber seals cleaned/fed (many removed to do so)
New tyres fitted

Cosmetic Exterior

Roof butresses repaired
Complete respray of whole car
Roof colour coded
Whole car colour sanded/wet sanded to improve finish
Engine bay detailed
Yoshi shields fitted
New wheel centre caps
Brake calipers stripped and painted red
Wheels completely stripped and refurbed
Sills and forward of engine cover repainted black
Inner wheel arch 'gravel guards' stripped and repained
Stone chip film added to wheel arches and lower front of car
Lights glasses polished up

Cosmetic Interior

Full retrim of every surface including all vinyl replaced with leather
New carpets (wool based)
New floor mats
All plastic trim stripped and refinished
Momo race steering wheel fitted
Drilled pedals instead of standard
silver door locks
Silver gear lever top
silver indicator stalk ends
Seat belt guards (black or Red with Ferrari badges depending on what I fancy)

Oh, and more clips and screws replaced than I care to remember

 

Right, that's the list. I'm not going to post all the before shots, they're lurking on Fchat over threads I've started but will just post some of the afters. Many are reposts taken from different threads but not all and I just wanted to sort of round off my journey. I've finally got my 'poster car'

Pete
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Too quick on the draw was just throwing them up. Enjoy

 

Thanks guys. The thing is she's been driven throughout. After each job I've just kept that area up. I've been to local events, weekend drives, take her down to the shops now and then - she's certainly not a garage queen. But then she's shined up again, kept in a dehumidified carcoon and used whenever I fancy. Bit of a 'labour of love' keeping her looking nice but you can have these cars looking good and still use them, just takes a fair amount of effort, I'm just lucky that I enjoy that part of ownership as well as the driving side.

 

Cheers.

 

Got to say, at the moment she is! Last bit of work is complete and she's sat in the corner at my local Ferrari Main dealer waiting to be delivered back to me next week. What was nice, and I guess it was my aim in a way, is that she's surrounded by some seriously expensive cars, both current models like the F12 they have in and a few very expensive classics, but to be fair she doesn't look out of place. This isn't just me with rose coloured spectacles, I actually got a nice letter from the dealer asking if I was considering selling her and to chat to them if I was. You don't really get much more of an endorsement than that

I have to say in a few small areas she possibly is. The Ferraris at that time used quite a bit of vinyl in the interiors and the leather is ok but you can get better. I actually had the lot taken out and replaced with leather sourced from guys who have supplied the likes of Aston Martin. Not cheap but worth it in my opinion. The carpets are also now wool based and give a slightly richer feel to the interior. I'm not knocking the original stuff but today you can get better quality if you want to. The exterior was totally resprayed at which point it was probably about as close to as good as new as I could get but then I had Topaz do a total paintwork detail on it - put a sun gun on it and it's just perfect.

So she's not totally original by any stretch but hopefully I kept a fairly classic feel even to places like the interior which is quite updated. All in all she's like I wanted her and that's all I ever set out to achieve.

 

Thanks.

 

Certainly not the case, no point in owning one of these cars and never driving her. I've been known to take her down to the little corner shop just down the road from me when my wife sends me out to buy something. Think she thinks Ferraris are seriously slow - 5 minute drive that somehow normally takes about an hour

Cheers Ernie. Goes pretty well too - with a bit of advice from certain Fchatters and a custom exhaust system in there (Nouvalari are just round the corner from me so got them to do something a little different) I've opened up the engine a bit. Will post a vid when I get the chance but saw one with a 348 with straight pipes - sounds kind of similar

Good to hear Joe, thank you.

Thanks Ryan

 

Thanks Peter. I agree, love the 348 interior although I did 'tweak' it just a tad. Regarding the money, it was quite simple really - I wanted a 348. If I had wanted a different car I would have got it which is why I smile at the comments about having a 348 because you can't afford a newer model. Much of the work was pre quoted so I knew exactly what I was getting into right from the outset. If anyone else was ever daft enough to do this I'd highly recommend doing the same.