328 Folding Key Question. | FerrariChat

328 Folding Key Question.

Discussion in '308/328' started by Red 328 GTS, Jan 24, 2010.

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  1. Red 328 GTS

    Red 328 GTS Formula Junior

    Aug 27, 2007
    888
    Sydney, Australia
    #1 Red 328 GTS, Jan 24, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Hi Guys,

    I’ve been meaning to ask a key question for quite a while now so here goes but I’ll give you some background first..

    The 328’s came out with what is commonly known as the folding ignition key.
    The 348’s, 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 I’ve made myself understood as its Sunday afternoon here in Australia and I’ve sunk a few cold beers.

    Cheers,

    Bob.
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  2. Udo J.

    Udo J. Karting

    Jan 22, 2010
    59
    Duesseldorf/GERMANY
    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
     
  3. spirot

    spirot F1 World Champ

    Dec 12, 2005
    15,115
    Atlanta
    Full Name:
    Tom Spiro
    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?
     
  4. ScuderiaRossa

    ScuderiaRossa Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Mar 22, 2001
    2,230
    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!
     
  5. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,596
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    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.
     
  6. Red 328 GTS

    Red 328 GTS Formula Junior

    Aug 27, 2007
    888
    Sydney, Australia
    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.
     
  7. mustardfj40

    mustardfj40 Formula 3

    Jun 17, 2004
    1,142
    Northen California
    Full Name:
    Ken
    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.
     
  8. rizzo308

    rizzo308 F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 12, 2004
    2,780
    Perth, Australia
    Full Name:
    riggio
    If you have any of the above keys that you cannont use i will buy them from you pm me. cheers
     
  9. CliffBeer

    CliffBeer Formula 3

    Apr 3, 2005
    2,198
    Seattle, Washington
    Full Name:
    Cliff
    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!
     

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