Congratulations! Sounds like a great car.
This is a Challenge car, the first Customer Challenge car -Jim Kenton. It's been neglected lately, maybe I'll drive it today. Thinking of taking it to Amelia Island. Forget the Tubi, use the "cherry bomb" race pipe. but don't forget the ear plugs. Ops. Early, I meant to quote the real brotherhood member-Ira There's probably no point in resurrecting this dead horse (pun intended), but you can "actually drive" this one because a "Factory Challenge" car without the Challenge bits isn't really a Challenge car in my opinion. There's nothing about it that renders it track-ready, so of course it's not a "hair shirt" and can be driven daily. It may be the final iteration of the model, and that's normally a good thing, but it's no different from other 348s in terms of driving dynamics. Not that one couldn't drive a full-race 348CH on the street if one's local laws and intestinal fortitude allow- it's been done often enough, as some of us know. You merely need a high tolerance for noise, heat, and general discomfort! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
BTW, the only sticker that is not original is the Canadian Flag. I put that on there when I drove it to Toronto/Markham for the national meet in about 13 hours from Columbia, SC. Figured if I got pulled in Canada they might cut me some slack. Almost 1000 miles- Epic trip for me.
There are lots of ways to go but since my Challenge car wasn't converted to a race car but meant to be used as a street car, I simply left off the "race only" stuff. I have the original challenge race seats (leather upholstered) and harnesses install and have the roll bar installed but not the full cage (front part of the cage is in my basement). The suspension and wheels are the Challenge parts, too, as well as lots of other things. But I have no emergency cutoffs, fire system, or any of that stuff. I also have full carpets and interior. I've taken the car on 1,000 mile rallies with my girlfriend in great comfort and it's great. Truly the best of all worlds.