Hey guys, I accidentally posted this as a reply to another challenge area, but here we go again. Will stock f355 wheels fit on my 97 challenge car? It is a factory challenge car that has been raced a great deal, and at this point finds it rare to leave the garage anymore... though living in the middle of the farm country here, I think I would have little resistance by local law enforcement driving the car into town here and there, though really ought to have treaded tires... Any other reasoning why it couldnt be a street car... other than the obvious, i.e turn signals, etc... Thoughts?
There are a few that have/had former challange cars that were converted back to road cars. Lights, exhaust and tires would need to be changed for sure.
IS there anything else that jumps out at you or things to do.... Tur signals are the first off, which I amworking on now, it also has the louder exhaust but so many kids now days have those little jap cars with peizo mufflers, I am not sure that it would really bother anyone. I dont plan on racing through town with it, but just casually running it around... sure I could just go buy a street version, but this has some appeal inside to me, it is in its truest form.... Todd
Stock 355 road wheels will NOT fit on your Challenge car. The Challenge has ginormous Brembo racing brakes, which will NOT clear the ID of the stock wheels. Which is also why you don't have a parking brake. Just buy a spare set of Speedline racing wheels, and mount your street tires on those, no problem.... vty, --Dennis
I'm not an expert on this, but my understanding is that only the '95 Challenge cars (and the 348's before them) can be made truly street legal. Check with Martin at Cavallino Motors as I think he's pretty up on the nuances regarding legality. It has something to do with DOT/EPA regulations... Cheers Kevin
Well, there's street legal and then there's street practical. Generally speaking, only 1995 models can be truly street legal, as they all started out as street cars, complete with titles, then converted by the dealer into Challenge cars. 1996+ cars in the US were OBD-II. Ferrari imported 1996+ Challenge cars into the US with OBD-I motors, which did not comply with EPA regulations, so they were imported solely as race cars and were not sold with titles. Therefore, any factory 1996+ cars were not compliant (and, for that matter, also did not meet DOT regs, as they were already Challenge cars), and CANNOT be made to comply with DOT and EPA regs then registered/titled. There might be a few 1996+ street cars converted into Challenge cars that you could theoretically register for the street. You would, of course, need to make sure the car passes inspection in your state. As for being "street practical"... you'll need headlights and turn signals, street tires, and a lot of patience because you won't have A/C or effective ventilation, and the suspension will kill your kidneys.... vty, --Dennis
I actually was able to get an Indiana title for my 97 challenge car using the original MSO... and there is no inspections here... the car has headlights and in process* of turn signals... and the rest, hell, thats half the fun... everyone has a regular 355.. I just figured it would be a good time from the purist standpoint and a fun in town runner from time to time... just playing with it. Any good places to get another set of wheels? it has been a long time since I broke one... Anyone want a really clean challenge car? It has a newly rebuilt motor and tranny with docs... upper and lower on the motor. mild damage history, all documented though, and 3 or 4 hours on it since rebuild, though NO track time... not really sure it is for sale, but it could be or maybe traded for or towards a 456 or something..... just food for thought. Thanks again for the replies, and have a great week!! todd
Enjoy it, Todd! Word of caution: if and when you advertise the car for sale, do NOT tell people that you have a title and/or you can drive it on the street. True story: a Porsche owner advertised his Euro version race car for sale, said that it came with a title and was street legal, though it was a 1997 model that was never legally imported as a street vehicle. A customs agent showed up, posing as a buyer, confirmed that it was a race car only, slapped a seizure notice on it, and it was crushed. Owner was out $$$$$. Has happened more than once. vty, --Dennis
call me crazy but I'd think that a license plate and registration might be "practical" as well...out here in the PRK they look for nutty stuff like, oh, a US VIN for example... Cheers Kevin
I am not sure that I would even be exactly sure on someone elses car what the VIN should be to be a US VIN. I know the difference in a 355 only due to having 3 of them now, but I have NEVER ever had a police officer, or anyone else for that matter, ever check a vin. It does have 'real' plates for the lack of better words, ok lets try it this way, it has a registration and license plate that match the VIN... smile. I do appreciate your thoughts and most certainly the warning if it were to ever be sold, and I will just sell it with bill of sale as most do with a strong NON streetable disclosure, which is true of course. I am just playing with it as no one esle in our little country town has a clue, and its a blast to run to walmart here and there in it! Guy again, I do very much appreciate the insight and comments, and if anyone ever needs anything, look me up. I am in Seymour Indiana. I have a complete set of 355 and 360 shop manuals, as well as most of them on CD... sometimes saves the day Have a great day! Todd
Sounds like you're sorted then...!!! Enjoy! Frankly I wish we could get away with some of that here but pretty much impossible. Wouldn't think the gendarmes would have any problem with the car - more getting it registered in the first place but sounds like you're past that. Cheers Kevin
Todd here is a chronical liar. His "title" is probably printed on a piece of toilet paper. Just as much as he altered and falsified a salvage title, lied about himself being an attorney, lied about moving to London and so much more. Post the VIN and a copy of the title. I would love to see that. How ironic that Matt Lemus is the first to answer you. Gosh that got me chuckling. Between you both you probably claim to own sn. 0842 as well....
