UPDATE ON 348 "CHALLENGE" GRILL: INPUT NEEDED

Well I am not an owner, but I hope you value my opinion.

1- CF for sure, if you are spending this much money on it, I think you should make it the best you can, and the CF will add a great visual effect.

2-I think that you should offer the conversion without taillights. I am sure there are A LOT of people who would hate to have a reproduction light. Also, if you would be offering exact replicas or OEM to the buyer, wouldn't they already have lights on their car? Making this a problem for them. I think it will be easier to please a broader market without the lights, let the owner decide to keep the ones he or she has, or buy after market. That way no blame can be put on you.

3-Not being an owner kind of makes my opinion on this pointless, but I will express it anyway. The fact that it is not a 355 clone would not ruin it for me, just because there are enough 348's that already look like 355's (no offense to the owners.)

 

1. CF for sure. I agree with you, I think CF looks really sharp.

2. I think a kit with lights would be great and would be a selling point for me personally. I'd rather not have to hunt around for all the parts, but instead would pay a premium to get them all in one place and have some simple to follow instructions for install. They don't have to be original lights for me, as long as they look very similar. Given the fact we're modifying from original, I place less importance on being OEM parts. Plus, knocking ~$400 off the price is a great option to have.

3. I'm open. I think a CF mixture would look great, I can't wait to see the mules.

 

I think you are on the right track.....

here are my modest opinions....

1. CF should be an option to a quality fiberglass so owners have the option to do body color panel??

2. Let the owners pick out their taillights from clones or factory 355 versions.

3. If they are going to be very different from 355.... maybe post some sketches??

BTW kudos on taking on this tough endeavor.... !!!

 

You very welcome !!! uh.....#3........ I meant the grill itself ............ but you may want to keep it under wraps for an unveiling of sorts??

 

1. As most people's pockets are deeper than mine, I vote for fiberglass... but if CF is ultimately the material of choice, i'm still onboard.
2. I see no reason not to offer options on this... just the panel, or a complete kit with choice of replica OR OEM lights.
3. certainly I have a woody for a clone of the 355 challenge grill that fits the 348 with no BS, but I also have a woody for a Jennifer Aniston clone sitting nekkid next to me on my sofa right now... clearly neither is possible, so lets just move forward with something just as cool, but in another way.

As ive told you before Collin, i'm with you all the way on this... let me know if there's anything I can do to help.

 

........hmmmmmm............ maybe if I spent less time on f-chat...................no not possible.... ..... that would cause extreme 'withdrawls'........ ....................lol

 

personally, I'd like the lights to be offered, makes it much easier.

if it is going to look like goths grill, I think it would look killer to have the light surround be black on a red car, so CF would be the way to go to show the weave.

 

I'm not a 348 owner, yet. But I was an auto designer for 20+ years and I LOVE cars. So I guess take my opinion for what it's worth.

1. It depends on what part it is that's fiberglass or carbon fiber. I would need to see it to have an educated opinion. Maybe give the option.
2. I think people would want the option of buying the t/lts. I do think most would want the real ones. Especially if you can get them a discount on list price.
3. I would rather it not look like the 355 although I think the challenge grille looks great......Keep it classy and cool, not over done. And of course venting is great.

People will pay for quality as long as it's not exorbitant.

 

- option of CF or fibreglass.
- With lights would save a hell of a lot of looking around to source them separately.
- Not bothered about OEM but they must be exact copies, if not, OEM it is.
- It needs to look pretty close to the Challenge grills or it wouldn't have quite the same effect.

Hats off to you for all the effort

 

Husker - as you know, I have lights already. But regarding the CF vs. fiberglass, I'm okay either way, as long as the CF is not too much more expensive. And thanks again for all your efforts!