The Grill of my Dreams?

As many people know, I am an avid supporter of the Ferrari 348, and have one myself. It is a Ferrari which got strong criticism from the press when it was released in 1989 and never made much of a commercial splash. In fact, the cars languished in showrooms for a long time as dealers had difficulty finding buyers during a down economy with a 'less the loved' Ferrari model.

At Ricambi America, we sell Ferrari parts for just about every modern Ferrari on the road -- but when 348 owners call, of course I take a special interest in their cars, and certainly share their passions (and frustrations) for these little 8-cylinder gems. Whether a customer needs a new clutch, brake pads, major service kit, or just something fun like aluminum racing pedals, I love to hear how customers are living with their 348. Unlike the later cars such as a Ferrari F355, 360 Modena, F430, Scuderia, or Stradale, the 348 is a little 8-cylinder car that was 'modern' in its day, and experienced some significant teething pains.

So, leaving aside all the genuine Ferrari parts that might be needed in the mechanical realm, critics then focus on the styling. The massive side strakes for cooling, while a bit odd, are generally liked by the public because they remind people that a 348 is a 'Baby Testarossa". On the other hand, the rear grill of a 348 is usally disliked. With its rectangual tail lights, and aluminum grill work, it looks non-Ferrari. Missing were the iconic round taillights of previous Ferraris. In fact, so 'unliked' was this design, that Ferrari immediately reverted to the round taillights with te F355 and hasn't turned back!

Last week, I was fortunate enough to receive a protoype version of the Ferrari 348 Challenge Grill -- aka, the LeMans Grill for my car. We're still in the final stages of fit and wiring, but the pictures below show just how neat it looks! Maybe not for everyone, but for a diehard 348 junkie like me, it's the perfect Ferrari part.