1st Model with factory shields as an option

My '99 355 F1 has them but as stated above I think you could get them in '98 too...

 

No, no, no, no, no. The hairs you are splitting are very tenuous

The GTC was not a "348 spec "but a limited production model in its own right. The shields were standard on the GTC they were not optional, the only option was a radio delete

 

Look at the letter from Maranello dated 7th January on the 348gtc web site.

Spec is:
Red paintwork
Wing shields
Split rim wheels
Carbon seat
Steering wheel
Gear knob
Aluminium pedals
A plaque to prove you paid a lot more ;-')

Brakes, suspension, engine (same power) and eve clutch were standard - that doesn't constitute a separate model IMO - its just a few trim differences. You could get suspension and brake changes too but that was optional - see the autocar magazine article on same website.

 

Yes I know the website very well, may I politely suggest you keep reading and you will find there were more changes than mentioned in that one letter. Ferrari themselves acknowledge the car as a separate model, whether you agree with them or not.

 

my '92 512tr has kind of rubberized version that was purportedly factory installed. i have not seen them on all 512tr's. fwiw.

 

I disagree, Agnelli's Testarossa had badges, as seen on 60 minutes I believe. They might not have been available to everyone, but they were available to special customers from the beginning.

 

this sounds right. i recall only knowing about this option when the 360 came out ('99) so it makes sense that more inside people knew about it a year or two prior.

 

Have a look at the first 40 seconds or so of this video and note the following....

They are Ferrari 348 TB with Wing shields (challenge program was originally done with TBs not challenge cars). I'm going to revise my answer and say it was a 348TB as I reckon you got the wings as part of the factory support package. Note the standard wheels etc in the video

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSDg898TI64]Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli 1993-2012 - YouTube[/ame]
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I think ALL Ferrari race cars got shields, as they were, by definition, breathed on by the scuderia.

Also, the challenge kits were dealer installed on the 348 Challenge, so not factory optional.

 

What do we think about this one?

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/carsforsale/ferrari/512tr/2175667.html

 

Correct, my 1999 355 Spider wasn't a Fiorano and had factory shields.