The (In)famous 358 rises from the dead!

So, this is what exactly....a 355 with a 348 Challenge engine installed???

 

love the challenge exhaust

 

Wow. Does look like a 355 with a 348 motor, but has 348 mirrors.

How did this one come to have a 348 motor? Or is it a heavily re-worked 348?

 

Hood, doors and exhaust hangers look to be 348 as well. I'll say 348 car with F355 rear clip.

Rob

 

Spot on!

I assume it had a hit in the rear and it was repaired using a 355 rear end?

Or someone just wanted a 355 rear on that car??

Powder coat and retrim looks great!

 

Nice work for a special car!

A wood wheel... that's new.

After melting numerous plastic catch bottles I fabed the aluminum one, it drove the tech guys nuts... A pretty sound arguement for header heat shielding but... there was never any time and those headers got welded a few times from off track expeditions and vibration.

The 355 rear and gutted doors was an effort to get a slipperier body work for straight line speed.

Still have the T6 engine pan and grid work? As many times as that went on expeditions off in the weeds after clearing the gravel traps I had to make something to save the sump! Looks like that is long gone now but if the sump and shifter are still intact, it worked.

Well done, it has needed this type of special attention for a looong time but you HAVE to loose those Super Trap flanges. Those were a "what do I have on the shelf, last minute tack on" as it was being loaded for Laguna and I was sure the exhaust flow would melt the rear bumper off the car. The bent up exhaust twin tips it once wore got recycled and are on the side exit exhaust of the ranch rat Land Cruiser for "spark arresters".... The BLM guy had never seen Ferrari exhaust tips and bought it.

Guess its time to pack up the "make it stinky and go fast" loaner box. Call me with your fedex number when you know your schedule as that must go overnight and heavily insured.

 

Never seen a fire proof wooden steering wheel in a race car.....maybe you can get a wooden dash to compliment the 50's boat look...

 

Is that the OBD connector I see hanging under the dash in that one pic?

 

Cool project guys!

The wooden steering wheel isn't fire proof - and that's a safety feature! In the event of a severe collision, rather than dangerously pinning you in the burning car, it will disintegrate to ash, allowing you to escape with ease and grace... to be extinguished yourself by the marshals.

Having said that, keeping the car away from the Armco is preferable.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

I always remember Joe Pisano "running" the funny car operation, although I think all the brothers were involved.

I remember the Pisano & Matsubara car as a child, then seeing Joe Pisano with Mike Dunn in the 80's. Joe Pisano passed on in the '90s, never heard much from the Pisanos after that. I surmise Tony (his brother) must be up there in age, no?

Good for him - looks like a cool car...does anyone still have the Pisano & Matsubara Funny Car?

 

Just assembled an engine for a racer last month that was a JP2 block alcohol hemi.
Joe designed that block.....

 

Now, with glasses on, I see the skid shield leaning against the wall... didnt see it on the first viewing.

 

Nice work Bruce.

 

Is that Allie Ash's old car?

 

Good eye. We believe it is. I'm in the process of collecting the history. Interesting thing is these Challenge cars got morphed after they dropped from the series in '96 (being squeezed out by the 355's). This car was converted to SCCA ITE specs, although it appears incomplete so far. We're working on a suitable steering wheel. Still thinking of an exhaust system, probably something based on the scrap parts B and I have lying around. Maybe FBB has some spare junk. I like Ernie's tail pipes so there's that possiblilty depending on goth's availability. The front clip is coming back soon so we'll put it together and do a Stooge detail. Thinking about better striping, maybe CS style. Also got to do the interior paint. Then there's the second race shell and belts (Challenge ran both), if we get that far. Mostly I wouldn't want B to destroy the car on its first outing without me on board. Trying to do this without blowing through the budget. So far so good, though.

 

Unless I've fallen at hit my head, it is indeed his car.

 

Wonder what it looked like way back when as a fully fledged 348 Challenge car?

Managed to find any history of which car it was and how it did all the way back then?

Extremely interesting project either way, I remember seeing the state it was in with the front bumper being torn to shreds and so on, not nice to see a Ferrari that way (or any car for that matter). Kudos to those who are putting it right and taking it to the track to be used as it was intended to be.

 

What.... is that supposed to make us feel better?

This is the Vince and Bruce show working on a Famous Race Car! Everyone reading this knows better than to think there is any "Budget" involved.....seesh, what utter nonsense! Bruce, Vince, Race Car and Budget... 4 words or the combination of them have no place in the same sentense, this is a "cost be damned" project.

I have a few spare Challenge seats in the loft for your "at any cost" project.

 

No it isn't you **** stirring DSPO!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3lGKMXYOG8&feature=related