has anyone removed the strakes on their 348?

just curious to see what it looks like. i saw a testarossa a couple weeks ago without them, and it looked weird!

 

There are two that I have seen recently here on this site: one is the "348 GTO that wasn't" for sale on ebay for $150,000 crack smokin dollars. The other was a beautiful, dark blue mild custom, with no strakes and front fender inlays for the shields. I'm sure you can find it if you search "strakes".

 

thanks, i found the dark blue car. looks nifty without the strakes.

 

No offense to anyone, but I think this is a dumb idea... if you dont want the strakes, just pickup a set of used 355 door vents and put them on.
I guarantee it would cost LESS to buy the 355 vents than it would to have a body shop remove the strakes from the existing vents. Then you're left with viable original parts you could sell (and recoup most, if not all of the cost), or keep, in case you ever wanted to return the car to original.

If I was ever to do this, my 1st strategy would be to offer a dismantler an even swap... it occurs to me that there are a helluva lot more wrecked 355's out there than 348's. The fact that my vents are in pristine condition AND the very common Rosso red, it should be a no-brainer.

 

i thought about swapping, but it seemed much cheaper to just remove the strakes versus buying new door panels. those panels are probably pretty expensive.

 

how much are the 355 door panels?

does anyone have a pic of a 348 with 355 door panels?

 

I sound like a broken record: I know of two cars that I have seen recently on this site that are, essentially, 348s with 355 body kits. So door scoops plus front bumper, and rear panel and lights. One is for sale in the Seattle area, and one is an F-chatter from Kuwait, who will probably chime in momentarily .... They are both red and look great. But they are no longer 348s, so I will never do it. I will limit my mods to 360 wheels and a few interior pieces. Just my preference ....
I centainly agree that 355 scoops would seem to be the easiest way to remove your strakes. If you want to price some 355 scoops, the is a Ferrari wrecker in Sacramento CA that parts TONS of 355s. Most of his current door scoops look like crap. But that's okay, because they are outrageously priced. Seriously, he sells everything on e-bay, so his stuff is easy to find. Happy hunting!

 

There are plenty of other companies (assuminig you're referring to Specialized) that sell good parts and at FAR lower prices... I have seen 355 door vents go for around $400 each many many times... but you may have to have them repainted. Have a body shop quote you just for labor on removing the strakes, and then add paint.

 

It to me, even at a higher price makes sense to put 355 door inlets rather than retrofitting the 348's to look like a 355. Your expenses are more then covered by the value of having the original parts to go along with the car for you or the next owner! Rather then permanently defacing the original body work, 355 parts make sense and will probably look better than anything a body shop can mock up.

 

In the spirit of the subject................I am all for turning 348s into 355s......... !!

 

In that vein the easiest way to do this is to just buy a 355. If you don't like the strakes, sell the car, don't bastardize it. Cheesh, can't you guys just leave well enough alone?! They are part of what makes the car a 348. It's not like there aren't any choices of Ferrari's without strakes.

 

Your got that one right, "there aren't any choices of Ferrari's without strakes" !!!!

 

i didn't realize that removing the strakes is a permanent action. i thought they could be put back in.

 

you can buy them here.

http://tubistylejapan.com/tubi&partTOP.htm


I never tried to call. ????????

 

wow! theres alot of nifty goodies on that page! I definitely want that dead pedal! I hope some of that stuff becomes available on the Tubi USA site... if they ever get it done! Its weird that they became a major sponsor here, and the website still isnt launched.

 

Vince, why is it that so often your posts are vicious slams to other people's taste and style? People should be able to do whatever they want with their cars, without a b1tch-slap from you. Some may think you "bastardized" your car by putting 355 wheels on an SS!
Not everyone can afford the financial stretch between a 348 and a 355, myself included... I LOVE my 348, and i'm DAMN proud to have managed to own one in my lifetime, but I paid about HALF what most 355's sell for! If a guy wants to save his pennies and update the side vents on his 348, then so be it, that's his right!
I know you're a good dude, but i'm quite often offended by your unnecessary rude and insulting comments.... and i'm sure i'm not alone on that.

 

I don't think a 348 minus the graters looks like a 355. It reminds me of the Koenig TR's, which I still love to this day.

 

+1

 

whats the world coming to?!...I agree its a dumb idea.

 

Its funny, the strakes are the reason I stayed with the 348...Otherwise, I like the rear of the 355 as well as the horsepower a lot better....I just can't get away from the distinctive look of the strakes!!!