Greetings, Many of you remember hearing about the 348, which was purchased well below $10,000 a couple of months ago. I have been extremely busy with my work, and the story I thought you would enjoy hearing has been slow to develop. I have been active accumulating some of the bare parts necessary to get this thing running well and drivable. My main parts supplier has been Daniel from Ricambi, if you remember he was the same guy I had a tantrum with, when I first started posting because he didn't answer my question right away. How embarrassed I am over that. After several apologies later, I really have to say that I never had anyone in the auto service business give me the awesome service he provides. I ordered a $600 fuse panel from him, and was all worried about how I would test the old relays in the panel. Daniel tells me he fell over when he got my delivery from Italy, and all the fuses and relays were included, that's a few $$$$ he saved me, he could have sold those to me and not said anything!!. This Daniel guy really loves what he does, and when he is enthused, I am enthused. Daniel left a career in the computer profession to do what he truly loves, and for that I admire him for that. I find myself asking him, "now, Daniel your going to make something on this right!!" When was the last time, I worried that a supplier of anything made a little money? So anyhow, here we go, the following pictures are from the bottom of my 348. I really would like some input as I think this is a difficult mess, hence the name of this thread, taken from a James Bond Movie "Live and Let Die". I really need your opinion, this car took a hard hit on the belly pan this time. At an earlier date, around 1994 this car obtained a salvage title I guess from a rear impact, the explanation for the hack welding you will see. My estimate including the 30,000 service, budgeted at $8,000 from a independant, is put at around $23,000. The math would be bodywork & parts $6,000, 30k service $8,000, transportation $1,000 moving this thing around while disassembled, interior $1,000, hvac $2,000 a guess, challenge rims & tires $3,000 not neccessary, Misc $2,000-$3,000. Any input as to how severe this bellypan and frame damage is will be much appreciated, I am willing to post photographs of the underside if these are not good enough. The car has been put on a laser alignment rack and within specifications. Even though I want this car to live, many have told me to let it die. I feel I would have a well sorted car for less than $30,000 not a steal, considering the title. Thanks for any input, Dale
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Um...........$8,000 for the 30k service is a Rip Off! You can do the job your self, buy all the tools you need, all the parts you need, and still save a few thousand dollars change. Heck, with the money you would save doing the job yourself, you could even put in a new clutch for that amount, and STILL have change. Dan sells a kit for the major service for about $1,200. Let's be nuts and say that it will take 40 hours to to the job, which it doesn't, but let's just say it does. Now if this guy were to charge you $120/hr labor that would come to $4,800 + $1,200 for parts = $6,000 total, and this is on the high side. Do the job yourself, or find a different mechanic.
The frame is simple steel. Easily welded. It's a car. It can be fixed. Looks like you've got some panels off of the car (or they are missing) such as the armor that covers the gas tank. You've got some rust issues. But again, it's all simple steel. People earn their daily living by welding this sort of thing. Could be a fun project. Of course, these cars are worth more for parts than what you'll profit from selling a fixed Ferrari whole with a Salvage title...but for a driver...you'll get her cheap and get to know her by restoring her.
Dale...seeing the bottom of the car and reading your posts here I believe I actually have seen your car and driven it when it was at a shop in the Minneapolis area. The last time I saw it was a little over a year ago when it was actually running after a good deal of work to fix when the owner at that time set the engine on fire trying to get it to run. I drove it at that time because the folks in the shop wanted me to check it out and listen for a noise coming from the engine compartment and compare it to anything I might have heard in the past on my car. If you want PM me and I can tell you some of my concerns over the car as I have seen it pretty much at ever angle inlcuding on the lift. If you want we can just discuss on here as well as others might be able to comment on things along the way to give you direction. As others have said the car is just steel and it can be welded...however you need to have someone competent weld on it and lets just say replace some of the welds the previous owner had done if you want it to be safe at the speeds it capable of on the road. Look forward to hearing from you Dale.
Read this thread on Rolands F40. http://70.85.40.84/~ferrari/discus/messages/251280/245300.html Your car has NOTHING on how bad his was. If he can fix that you can fix yours. I just depends on how much money you are willing to throw at it, and Roland threw ALOT at his.
I also know the story of the car completely and think you are going to be wise to replace all the welds as what they did after the car was hit in the back was just junk. There is a good deal of flex in the subframe where the engine carrage attaches to the main frame. If the car is still in the same shape as the last time I saw it if you put it on a two post lift with the arms on the main frame the engine subframe and wheels will sag about 3-4 inches when you look at travel at the clutch housing. Well i am saying all I will on here without your further approval Dale. I am happy to talk more at length either way. PS. DANIEL RULES!!!!!!!!!! Erine is not a bad guy either for being my twin and blowing up a transmission at the same time as well creating a world wide shortage of parts.
For what it's worth, I think it's great that someone is reviving a Ferrari (or any exotic). It could be easy to just let it die, but to put it back on the road is great. It gives someone else the chance to see, hear and even own it(after you sell it) someday. I think reviving this 348 is great, Kudos to you!
For the most part, It is as you say within specification. what you show is mostly as others have said sheet metal that can be repaired. The main concern I would have are the frame to rear subframe mounting area damage , any damage to the unibody support structure, and any weakness of the rear subframe. Any good frame shop should be able to handle these repairs. I think it is worthy...best of luck. regards, Jim
If I could buy a 348 with a Salvage title for $30k, I would do it and not look back............. Anyone know of any for around that price??
John, I looked at that car too.. I think?? A guy from Iowa owned it and had left it with the guys at GT cars to try and get running/sorted out. Don't know the guy from the shop who showed it to me, but he was nice and very straightforward about the car and the crappy repair/welding to the rear sub-frame. Anyway, I talked with the owner about selling it and he was asking well over $20K for the car at the time. The owner at the time was also a member of this board. This project car was supposedly bought out of WI, for under $10K. Could it really be the same car? How would the guy go from over $20K to less than $10K?? Guess I'm just jealous I didn't find this bargin.
