New project Challenge 98451

I brought a new one home yesterday. While looking for parts for my poor 348, I came across this car. In a garage for the last 4 years, it needs a little love. I checked with Carbon McCoy, the guru of serial numbers. Turns out, it's a factory Challenge. No plaque, but all the give-aways are there. It's got just over 7k miles on it. It fits in nicely with my plan to refurb the red car. I haven't heard it run yet, but the compression numbers came in quite satisfactory for a car not started in so long. First order of business is to jerk the motor and put new belts and tensioners on it. Then and only then will I start it. I hope the tranny is ok, but I've no reason to believe otherwise. I'll try to post regularly about this adventure, so follow along if you wish.
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Nice!! No PPI? ;-) J/K.

Looks to be pristine!

 

Awesome Bruce! You did it. We need bigger garages. PM me the info on the other. Gotta get Chad hooked up. I'm mounting race tires for next W/E. Where is lunch today???

 

You seem to be starting a 348 army!

 

Nice find! Will be interesting to follow your Challenge story.

 

Hey Bruce, you forgot to mention something about your adventure.
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And its the perfect color

 

Sweet find!! I think I am jealous.

 

Bruce you finally scored a garage queen...yippee

 

Wow!!! it looks great!!! ...........

 

Very cool. Only a couple of GTS challenge cars out there (for obvious reasons), you probably won't ever see another one, though I do know of one local to me. What are your plans, service and drive?

 

Awesome find. Looks to be in great shape. What are the differences of the 348 challenge?

 

Congrats Bruce gotta love it. Get it ready for a drive down to the desert concours. Seems like I'm gonna be in town then.

 

Thanks guys!
This ain't no garage queen. It's been around the apex a few times, but it'll be right when I'm done. Ya gotta love the 348. It's like a retriever that'll bring the ball back til you can't throw it anymore.
I've got it up on stands now. Looks like SoCal and I will jerk the motor on Monday. I really can't wait to cackle this beast.
There have been several threads about the differences in Challenge cars, better than I can explain.
I think I read they made 13 of the cars in the ts model. I wonder how many were Giallo? Guess I'll have to spend some time in the search mode. Geez, I'm not sure I'm up to the responsibility of having something too rare. I'm a 348 guy after all.

 

The one I know is red, probably a similar breakdown in colors as the rest of the cars, so maybe 3 yellow ones? The one I know of was also not raced. I wonder how many of them out there were bought and never fully converted/raced? Very cool car, have fun with it.

 

There is a Challenge here for sale as well :

Ferrari 348 tb challenge, Auto's, Genk | Kapaza.be

Too high for my budget, but looks good. I doubt these are road legal here since they have roll bars.

 

I own one of the 13 TS Challenge cars that have never been converted. 28k miles. All original except for tinted tail lights.
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Nice Freakin Car Jon. Like the Big Brake Kit and the Rims.

Very Cool

 

Piece of cake Bruce, bolt on only. Get the OEM stuff you want off and packed nicely in a box

 

A factory Challenge car with SS tail lights? All of the 1994-only factory Challenge cars I've seen had the standard lights.
Maybe a Serie Speciale with some Challenge equipment added later??

 

Perhaps the fact that the rear grille has been removed has confused your eyes?

 

Very nice!

Kai

 

Glad you did not go to the "Dark Side" and stuck with the 348! This should be fun and I know we would all love to see your progress. One of these days I am going to have to drive down to Redondo Beach! (like it's so far, I am in Hancock Park)

 

Always welcome. I'm in the garage nearly every day.
Having found and love the 348, I see no reason to own any other. These cars are bulletproof.

 

Beautiful find Bruce - very jealous! For me the ideal combo is having a Rosso Red and a Giallo Yellow ferrari in the garage.... That said I could be on target for a 2nd Ferrari too - this time a daily driver!