348 TB. Strange rear screen.

Here is a screen shot. Looks interesting.
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Maybe ask Dan (jqpd99) for an update? His 2008 thread on the restoration raised the same question. At the time, he didn't have any history on the car other than it came from Kuwait.

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/my-348-restoration.183682/

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Well... interesting thread... here's what has happened since 2008...

For years I tried to get the closest Ferrari dealers (Ferrari of Ontario and Ferrari Quebec) to get me a build sheet or something that would show the history of this car... never got a response... eventually, I gave up

Then last summer, someone on this board posted that you could get all the build documentation on your car if you went through the Classiche program so I tried that approach... they responded to my email and told me: "go through your local dealer" to which I responded that since there was no money to be made, and since I don't go to them for service, they didn't respond to my requests...

Well the next day I received a phone call from the president of Ferrari Quebec, we discussed the original thread and sent him the information that I had and then started an email conversation which included the service manager as well... this was mid-July

In August I checked in looking for an update and was told the factory is closed in August (ok?), then I followed up in early October... On October 16th, this was the response I received:

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I hope all is well.


We got the confirmation that this 1990 Ferrari 348 tb VIN #89761 was built as a Normal 348 TB. This car should have the curved window.


Thank you.
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When I asked for the documentation...

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We don’t have any further info on this car at our dealership level unless it passes through Classiche Certification.

Keep in mind that if you do go ahead with the process, your 348 will have to be in original condition as it left the plant.

That would mean a correct rear bonnet, catalytic converters, stock exhaust etc..


We are at you disposal if you wish to take the steps
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Told them that I liked my aftermarket upgrades and wasn't going to pursue the Classiche Certification and that's where the conversation ended

 

Do you have any pictures of what it looks like from the inside with the headliner removed?

What does the headliner look like around the window?

sjd

 

I wonder why they converted your rear screen like that. How's the finishing on the inside? Since there's a super tight space between the curved portion of the rear screen and the rear quarter glass, I'm assuming they somehow finished it?

Edit: oops, someone beat me to it

 

I had asked the bodyshop to look at whether or not anyone had closed up that space to put in the flat window and he reported at the time that there was no indication of any body work done in that area

I did not take any pics that I recall... but I do have a trove of pics that I never posted... could take the time to look through.

I just assumed it was a prototype which would make sense if no part number for the window or the weatherstripping exist

DF

 

What a fascinating example.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

The design for the 348 was pretty much finalised early on in 1987, and the first test cars were built in late '88/early '89, with the first show cars and press cars being made available in late '89, so there's no way a car manufactured in 1990 is going to be a prototype.

(Somewhere in my attic I have a couple of copies of "Autocar & Motor" magazine from September 1989 showing the "new" Ferrari 348, complete with the production car curved rear screen _ If you "Google: "Autocar & Motor" magazine from September 1989 Ferrari 348", you will find copies of the magazines for sale on ebay )

Ferrari had been using curved rear screens since the 206 Dino in the late 60's, so it was no issue to them to have a curved rear screen made, even for a prototype car.

Added that, with the exception of the hyper-cars from that era (288/F40), and special project cars (Ferrari Pinin/408 4RM) Ferrari did not tend to keep their prototypes, and definitely didn't sell them on the the general public.

As Ferrari have already stated, the car in question never left the factory with that rear screen fitted, so it has been done later by someone not prepared to pay for the correct screen to be fitted.

If an owner were to want the car to pass a Ferrari Classiche, they would have to pay to have the flat window removed and a curved window put back in - As per the original factory build.

 

I'd be curious to see an interior photo pointing to the back of the screen.
Maybe it was modified due to costs back in the day, but it's an interesting decision to take since a new rear screen is $3500(?) and I would imagine that the materials and labor involved in carrying out such a modification would be around the same. Nowadays a new Lexan rear screen is around $800, but the labour involved in reverting back to stock will likely be high. At this point I'd just leave it as is and enjoy the car as much as possible.

Edit: You can see the launch model 348 at the '89 Frankfurt Auto Show as of 6:32 (I think this was 09/89)