Hi Guys, Ive been meaning to ask a key question for quite a while now so here goes but Ill give you some background first.. The 328s came out with what is commonly known as the folding ignition key. The 348s, 355, and Testarossa also came out with this style key but with a different key head. Other models may have as well but these are the only ones I know for sure. The 328 key is not compatible with the others Look at my picture below, we have a left key, centre key and right key. The left key is a genuine 328 blank that took me 2 years to find. The centre key is as I described earlier and can be bought in single units from Ricambi here - http://www.ricambiamerica.com/product_info.php?cPath=100030&products_id=338807 The right key is the same but a used cut version. OK .now my question, is it possible or is there a trick in removing the key head from the folding holder? If so, I and other 328 owners could then replace the head with the correct version key and utilize what spares I already have. As you can see in the photo with them all folded over, there appears to be a small pin which when removed may separate the top and bottom section of the holder. You are still then left with the blade inside the lower section of the plastic holder. How the hell would you be able to separate this? I hope Ive made myself understood as its Sunday afternoon here in Australia and Ive sunk a few cold beers. Cheers, Bob. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi Bob, one of my original keys broke in the folding section during starting the engine. Now I keep the second key as an original item and use a 355-key ( black with small prancing horse ) for "every day" use. Best regards Udo
I dont have the folding key, and would like to have a set... where can you get one if possible? can you take the Ricambi key adn make it work for the 328?
Thanks for this clarification. I've been trying to determine whether the blank folding key I have is for a 328, but your post clearly identifies it as a 348, 355, TR key. Now I just have to embark on a two-year search for the right folding key!
Not sure how you would go about removing the black plastic head, per the OP's question. However, it has to withstand some degree of twisting every time you use it, so I would have reservations about even trying it. What I did with my 328 was have Keys4Classics in Australia make generic blank duplicates of the ignition and door keys, and put the factory keys away for safekeeping. Frankly, except for concours, no one knows or cares whether you have the original 328 keys.
Yes, I understand........ Two and a half years ago I sold an Australian Muscle Car to fund the purchase of my 328. I got TOP dollar for my car because it was a multiple winning concourse car with all these little "attention to detail things" correct and that trait will always stay with me. I was fortunate enough to win our Ferrari State Concourse last October so all aspects of originality really appeal to me. Bob.
Any pic of this 355 key? My 328 came with 3 or 4 of this folding key and a total of more than 10 keys, sometime I wonder why so many keys.
The middle and right keys look like the same as the folding key for my '88 mondial 3.2. The key looks like a symmetrical key - in other words, same cut and profile both side-on, and looking head on looking down the shank. This key can be inserted into the ignition in two orientations, each 180 degrees from eachother. The key on the left looks like a non-symmetrical key - in other words, cut on one side with a different profile side-on and looking down the shank. This key can only be inserted into the ignition in one orientation. This key looks the same as my 308 key (except my 308 key isn't folding). The pin holding the shank to the head is a roll pin that will come out with an appropriate sized drift - too small and you'll flare the end, too big and you'll be damaging the plastic. If I'm remembering correctly there's a detent (ball/spring) on the head side too so be careful when disassembling!