Basket case 355 challenge | FerrariChat

Basket case 355 challenge

Discussion in 'Challenge/GT Cars/Track' started by Schumacher, Apr 18, 2017.

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  1. Schumacher

    Schumacher Rookie

    Sep 1, 2009
    13
    Hi

    I live in South Africa and I am looking at buying a RHD 355 Challenge chassis. As per the title it is a basket case. Been hit hard at the front and only has the chassis number, roll cage, brakes and shocks. It is in need of a nut and bolt restoration that will require a donor car. It has a 5.2 motronic engine with who knows how many hours on so that needs to be changed. Even the interior is missing.

    It is however RHD and road registered here in South Africa.

    I am fully appreciative that this is a massive project and that it needs to be done right and properly.

    My question is whether or not this is a viable project. I will be in for approximately $175k in the end.

    I am looking at it as a way of getting a very rare and special car that may not have the market value attached to it now but that I can own and enjoy for years to come. Just some context - I am a collector who is in this for the long term - I don't really sell cars and I use all of them.

    Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

    Warm regards

    Mike
     
  2. leopard881

    leopard881 Karting

    May 11, 2014
    222
    Full Name:
    David
    Hi Mike,
    welcome to the Forum! Congrats for your interest for 355 Challenge cars - it is a sweet spot in Ferrari history!
    Regarding the project, I would rather look for a good 355CH on the market - restoring such a car will be very time consuming and expensive - and it never may reach the level of a well preserved 355CH. - for 175k you may find a quite decent 355CH - and if for legal reasons you must have it RHD, you might do a conversion, keeping all the original parts.
    best regards from Switzerland
    David
     
  3. Schumacher

    Schumacher Rookie

    Sep 1, 2009
    13
    Thanks David. Unfortunately lhd cars can no longer be imported into the country and our duties are pretty high.

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  4. Schumacher

    Schumacher Rookie

    Sep 1, 2009
    13
    I also have no problem with the time frame. I want it for the long term

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  5. Robb

    Robb Moderator
    Moderator Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Feb 28, 2004
    13,875
    Full Name:
    Robb
    Pm me the serial number so you can know the history of the car to make sure it is legitimate.

    Happy to help.

    Robb


     
  6. amenasce

    amenasce Three Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 17, 2001
    33,014
    Full Name:
    Joe Mansion
    If you are in this for the long run and are comfortable spending that much, then do it. It will be a fun project and at the end you will have a new 355 Challenge. You are basically just buying the serial number and the fact that is is registered in SA.
     
  7. Schumacher

    Schumacher Rookie

    Sep 1, 2009
    13
    It's pretty much the way I'm looking at it. The problem is that I need a donor car to get parts off

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  8. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Jun 14, 2011
    8,562
    SoCal LA/OC/New Mexico
    Full Name:
    Tim Dee
    Do it!!!

    Remember Challenge cars were ment to be beat up, if they raced they crashed. Never seen a RACE car that was not crashed. Folded metal tells a story.

    Do make sure its a real challenge car or at least a 355 with race history.

    I'm not sure worldwide but challenge cars were 2.7 not 5.2

    Robb should have the serial ### stuff
     
  9. Schumacher

    Schumacher Rookie

    Sep 1, 2009
    13
    Hi Robb. It's chassis number 104513. It really is far gone though. Needs a donor car but I'm not sure where to find one

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  10. Ferrari 308 Vetro

    Ferrari 308 Vetro F1 Rookie

    Nov 12, 2012
    4,426
    Austria
    Welcome.

    For me, sorry, dont buy this one you speak, search for anotjer one, also RHD cars pop up from time to time.

    Dont buy a big crash car!

    176$ for a good street legal car is OK, but not for a crashed one.

    Keep us informed :)
     
  11. Schumacher

    Schumacher Rookie

    Sep 1, 2009
    13
    That is my estimate of what the car will cost after restoration.

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  12. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Jun 14, 2011
    8,562
    SoCal LA/OC/New Mexico
    Full Name:
    Tim Dee
    Dont worry about it I have 200k in 2 motorcycles, all fun would do it again in a heartbeat, must likely will.
    It dont have to make sense if its a hobby :)
     
  13. Ferrari 308 Vetro

    Ferrari 308 Vetro F1 Rookie

    Nov 12, 2012
    4,426
    Austria
    Agree ;-)
     
  14. Schumacher

    Schumacher Rookie

    Sep 1, 2009
    13
    Agreed. Thanks for the advice guys

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  15. 308 GTB

    308 GTB F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 7, 2002
    11,166
    New Jersey
    Full Name:
    Barry Wolinsky
    It's a 1996 red UK F355 Challenge.
     
  16. Schumacher

    Schumacher Rookie

    Sep 1, 2009
    13
    Thanks. I thought as much. Where could I get its race history?

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  17. Ferrari 308 Vetro

    Ferrari 308 Vetro F1 Rookie

    Nov 12, 2012
    4,426
    Austria
    Send "Robb" a PM, he is the "brain" :)
     
  18. 308 GTB

    308 GTB F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 7, 2002
    11,166
    New Jersey
    Full Name:
    Barry Wolinsky
    Mike, a Euro F355 Berlinetta can serve as a donor car. That's the way it was done when these cars raced in the Challenge Series.


    Get in touch with Scuderia South Africa Ltd - Cape Town
     
  19. Robb

    Robb Moderator
    Moderator Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Feb 28, 2004
    13,875
    Full Name:
    Robb
    It appears the Car was owned and raced in the challenge series only one year

    1996
    Ian Khan of GB
    Team sponsor was Ferrari UK / Maranello Concessionsires UK
    Ran as # 70

    I think I have a photo... will look for race results...

    Robb
     
  20. Robb

    Robb Moderator
    Moderator Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Feb 28, 2004
    13,875
    Full Name:
    Robb
    #20 Robb, Apr 19, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    401rpg likes this.
  21. Robb

    Robb Moderator
    Moderator Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Feb 28, 2004
    13,875
    Full Name:
    Robb
    Khan raced a different 355 in 1995.

    But in the OP's car, khan took a first and second in two of the three races 7/8 April 1996 at the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit.

    Robb
     
  22. Robb

    Robb Moderator
    Moderator Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Feb 28, 2004
    13,875
    Full Name:
    Robb
    5th in Chanpionship in the Western Europe Ferrari Challenge 1996.

    Robb
     
  23. 308 GTB

    308 GTB F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 7, 2002
    11,166
    New Jersey
    Full Name:
    Barry Wolinsky
    Well, Mike, there you have it. It's a RHD F355 Challenge worthy of restoration.

    But remember...






    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_71w4UA2Oxo[/ame]






    :)
     
  24. Schumacher

    Schumacher Rookie

    Sep 1, 2009
    13
    That's amazing! Thank you!!!

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  25. Schumacher

    Schumacher Rookie

    Sep 1, 2009
    13
    So I'm definitely keen to do it. The question is where I will be able to find a donor.

    I need a whole front section. Doors. Rear lid. Rear bumper. Rhd dash and console. Seats. A 2.7 Motronic engine with all wiring. Glass. And all the little parts.

    Do any of you know where I could begin to get all of this?

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