UPDATE/INPUT NEEDED: 348 TAIL LIGHT CONVERSION | FerrariChat
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UPDATE/INPUT NEEDED: 348 TAIL LIGHT CONVERSION

Discussion in '348/355' started by Husker, Dec 8, 2004.

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  1. Husker

    Husker F1 World Champ

    Dec 31, 2003
    11,792
    western hemisphere
    #1 Husker, Dec 8, 2004
    OK guys...I am going to visit with a fellow late this afternoon that says, tentatively, that he can manufacture the round tail light assembly for the 348. The only question is materials. If it is to be a perforated tail light assembly (thousands of tiny holes), then metal will be the best option. If it is to be painted, then fiberglass will be the best option.

    He will take a look at the photos and give me an estimate on the production costs, etc. What I might do is allow my 348 to be the "prototype", and he can then make copies from the prototype. Of course, price will be a big consideration I am sure for everyone, BUT I GUARANTEE YOU, IF THIS GUY DOES IT, IT WILL LOOK FACTORY - NO IFS, ANDS, OR BUTS.

    So...in the next few days, I would like to gauge the level of interest in the tail light assemblies from fellow 348 F-chatters.

    Please email me whether your not:
    1) You would prefer a fiberglass assembly
    2) You would prefer a metal (semi-see through) assembly
    3) Your price point (above which you wouldn't be interested)
     
  2. SFchallenge

    SFchallenge F1 World Champ

    Jun 28, 2004
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    #2 SFchallenge, Dec 8, 2004
    Husker, count me in for the metal. I'd like it black & see-through + cooler engine compartment. Thanks!
    Jon
     
  3. hank sound

    hank sound F1 Veteran

    Jan 31, 2004
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    Burbank, CA
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    Hank Garfield
    #3 hank sound, Dec 8, 2004
    Cool! If you can utter the words - "if I only had" or "wait a minute here - we can do it this way!!" - - then, you already know what must be done.
    Congrats, You're doing it right.

    Cheers, Hank
     
  4. lateapexit

    lateapexit Rookie

    Dec 4, 2004
    26
    Cleveland Ohio
    Full Name:
    Big B
    #4 lateapexit, Dec 8, 2004
    Don't know anything about them but this company
    www.garedars.com sells a 348 round tail light conversion kit.

    Brian
     
  5. Auraraptor

    Auraraptor F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Sep 25, 2002
    13,958
    MO
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    Omar
    #5 Auraraptor, Dec 8, 2004
    I would get 355 rear quarter(?) panels and a custom deck lid as well to complete the look, else the rear looks off to my eyes. (Just my opinion)
     
  6. dapper

    dapper Formula Junior

    Nov 10, 2003
    711
    Bristol, UK
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    Dave
    #6 dapper, Dec 9, 2004
    I would be in on a conversion kit but caveated by:

    For me it would have to be satin black perforated metal, i.e. like the challenge 355. The contours for the light housings would have to be as the 355 challenge, so correct scarf angles (unlike the the GaRedcars version) and I would not want to cut away any of the base car. The conversion would have to be 'totally' reversible without resorting to welding and/or painting (which may rule the conversion out for me judging by what I've read).

    As for pricing, I really have no idea as I haven't researched the Gared version or the standard cost of the 355 challenge grille and the four light assemblies, then there would need to be amortization of the development costs for a low volume production run. I guess I wouldn't want to stump up much more than $2K to $2.5K. Plus shipping for me as I'm UK.
     
  7. rivee

    rivee F1 Rookie

    Jan 20, 2002
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    John
    #7 rivee, Dec 9, 2004
    I ditto what dapper says. Black metal, correct scarf angles too.
     
  8. Husker

    Husker F1 World Champ

    Dec 31, 2003
    11,792
    western hemisphere
    #8 Husker, Dec 9, 2004
    Guys...he can do it. Bad news is, he doesn't have time to mess with it until middle of January. It won't be until then that I can get a firm price, but I told him $2K was probably going to be the target for most of us.

    1. Some cutting on your 348 tail light frame will absolutely be necessary to get the new lights to fit. However, you can have the cut pieces spot welded back in 10 minutes or less if you ever want to go back to your original lights.

    2. If you guys can help me with this part: I need as many close up photos as possible of 355 challenge grills (different angles, etc.), as well as any 348's that have been converted (close up photos only).

    We'll keep working on this.
     
  9. Ricambi America

    Ricambi America F1 World Champ
    Sponsor Owner

    Dec 7, 2003
    16,443
    Winston Salem, NC
    #9 Ricambi America, Dec 9, 2004
    For me, this would be a deal killer. I'd be willing to sacrifice some aspects of OEM appearance in order to avoid -anything- that involves welding for this mod.

    -Daniel
     
  10. albert328gts

    albert328gts Formula 3
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    Oct 31, 2003
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    #10 albert328gts, Dec 9, 2004
    For me it would have to be satin black perforated metal, i.e. like the challenge 355. The contours for the light housings would have to be as the 355 challenge, so correct angle. As for pricing, the 355 challenge grille and the four light assemblies, I would say max 2000 US.
     
  11. rikilamb

    rikilamb Karting

    Nov 13, 2003
    67
    surrey
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    riki lamb
    #11 rikilamb, Dec 9, 2004
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  12. Husker

    Husker F1 World Champ

    Dec 31, 2003
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    #12 Husker, Dec 9, 2004
    Albert...I've heard others comment on the lamp angles, too. I guess if your goal is to make it look for like a 355, then this would be a concern. But other than Ferrari nuts, who would ever know the difference? I looked in a Ferrari book of mine last night, and I noticed on some F-cars the lights are angled slightly upward.

    So...we may have a divergence of goals on this project. Is the goal to get our 348's to look like 355's, or to get them to look more like Ferraris?
     
  13. albert328gts

    albert328gts Formula 3
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    #13 albert328gts, Dec 9, 2004
    Yeah your right, all I want for XMAS is 4 round tail lights and a challenge grill!
     
  14. dapper

    dapper Formula Junior

    Nov 10, 2003
    711
    Bristol, UK
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    Dave
    #14 dapper, Dec 10, 2004
    Like Daniel, any cutting the frame rules me out of a conversion period. To avoid this it would probably necessitate bespoke rear lights, designed to mount slightly differently to the OEM ones from a 355, and possibly some small compromise in the exact light angle compared to 355.

    Much as I love my 348 I'd rather swap my 348 in with a bag of cash against a nice yellow 355 to get that look as standard, than cut about a frame on it thus spoiling it for future owners.
     
  15. davey_jones

    davey_jones Formula Junior

    Sep 28, 2002
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    Dave
    #15 davey_jones, Dec 10, 2004
    I noticed the lens angles did not look right on the garedcars also.

    Not sure if I'd want to cut or not. Then again, my speciale light assembly
    may not need to be....

    I'd be interested if the price was realistic.

    dave
    indy
     
  16. SFchallenge

    SFchallenge F1 World Champ

    Jun 28, 2004
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    #16 SFchallenge, Dec 12, 2004
    Hi, I've just visited Zertec on his Mondial Z project(Amazing job). I've seen the 355 lamps & they're big & thick, at least 3" into the rear panel & 6" thick overall. We'll definitely have to cut our panels to fit it in. Unless, we work on LEDs which can be as thin as 1"(excluding lens) or less since there's no bulbs. It might be possible to align the OEM lamps perpendicular but I'm not sure if we have enough space for it(very near exhaust shield & may melt it in long term). I'll pobably work with Zertec on LED lamps(works for 355/360/550) & custom one set for mine(don't have to cut the panel if possible). Will update again.
     
  17. zakeen

    zakeen Formula Junior

    Aug 29, 2004
    989
    Czech Republic
    #17 zakeen, Dec 12, 2004
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I like this one, and it looks cheap, go and buy a second had 348 grill bit, cut it out. and then swap it so you have your original part!
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  18. albert328gts

    albert328gts Formula 3
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    #18 albert328gts, Dec 17, 2004
    Any update on finding someone to make the challenge grill for a group buy? Am still hoping for 4 round rear lights for XMAS and a challenge grill to fit my 348.
     
  19. Husker

    Husker F1 World Champ

    Dec 31, 2003
    11,792
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    #19 Husker, Dec 17, 2004

    Albert...I don't think it's going to happen. Too many "hoops" to jump through to meet everyone's demands. Here are the demands that I have noted so far:

    1) Sub - $2000
    2) Lights must be angled like the 355 lights
    3) Panel must be solid (paintable)
    4) Panel must be "mesh" (challenge)
    5) No "snipping" the current 348 tail light frame

    Obviously, all of these can't be accomplished. #5, for example, is a MUST for any round tail light conversion. I don't know why that gets everyone excited. You're just using a pair of standard snips to make a few cuts that can be restored in 10 minutes by a sheet metal shop. People hear "cutting" and "frame" together and they go bonkers. All the tail light frame is is a VERY thin piece of sheet metal.

    Oh well...looks like every man for himself.
     
  20. albert328gts

    albert328gts Formula 3
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    #20 albert328gts, Dec 18, 2004
    Sub $2000 I dont think is possible, with the price of parts and custome mfg.
    Mesh make more sense, angle is no big deal (now) and snipping has to be dont in order to fit the round lights. Ok if anyone out there in ferrarichat finds anyone that can mfg the rear end (challenge) let me know, I will try to speak to a few people out here in Los Angeles and see if this can be done. The look on those yellow 348 has convinced me.
     

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