F40 bodied F355 | FerrariChat

F40 bodied F355

Discussion in 'Special Projects & Concept Cars' started by PAUL500, Dec 3, 2013.

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  1. PAUL500

    PAUL500 F1 Rookie

    Jun 23, 2013
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    #1 PAUL500, Dec 3, 2013
    Last edited: Dec 3, 2013
    I have only just stumbled on this subforum, but it seems a good place to let you guys know about a long term father and son project we have been gathering components for.

    Its been mentioned in the past within fchat, with the usual derision, but hopefully confined to this section of the site the interest will be more positive.

    Basically think of Jims various projects, and the Stratos project but without the budget, or the abilities of Pininfarina to bring it to fruition. Very much "men in their shed" approach, that we here in the UK like to carry out.

    That does not mean though a slapdash nasty rep in the making, the engineering will be sound, and of a high quality, the fit and finish will be up to the standards of the production 355, and no where near as low as the F40s that rolled out of Maranello! Panel gaps will be a priority.

    My dad is a retired engineer who has worked on everything from D9 Caterpillar tractors to in period 427 AC Cobras/ C type Jaguars through to Spitfires and the Red Arrows, and I have built a few toys in my time as well.

    Its on hold at the moment due to an impending divorce (mine not his!) but should be back on track mid 2014.

    The base/donor 355 chassis is already here, and stripped of all external panels and most of the F40 spec lightweight panels have been sourced.

    Another 355 chassis has been chopped up to provide a buck for the integral rollcage design that will mirror that of the F40, so that the panels can be hung in the same fashion, and at the same point on the chassis.

    Given that the 355 is a semi monocoque it will become a bit of a hybrid.

    Mechanically it will be all 355, so production quality engineering. The 355 was chosen as it has exactly the same wheelbase as an F40, the 348 on which it is based was the next design out of Ferrari after the F40 and its amazing how many of the measurements are the same.

    Engine is still to be decided, possibly F430 or even 458, its the most expensive thing still to be procured so no rush on that element, all depends what pops up at the time. Plenty of options on ebay at the moment inc a 599 motor, but that would probably require removal of the subframe behind the 355 fuel tank, and splitting of the tank to a two tank system.

    All panels will be carbon/kevlar to LM spec.

    This is not a fantasy project, its real, the key elements are already in place but time is the biggest hurdle at the moment so dont expect the kind of updates you see on Tims F40 LM thread, which was a big inspiration and has provided the kind of in depth photos we needed.

    No actual Ferraris were harmed in the making of this project, both chassis were beyond economic repair back to F355 spec and were destined for the crusher.

    Recycling at its best.

    I hope the thread can remain on track, if such projects are not your thing then all well and good but please don't clutter up this thread with negative comments for the sake of them, just ignore it instead.

    Any questions please fire away

    I imagine the first one will be, why copy an F40 and not come up with something unique?

    The answer is we would love to own an F40 LM, the reality is we never will, so this the closest we will get. The 355 is a great car mechanically so perfect as a donor, and the F40 LM is the perfect looking car in our eyes, so for us the combination of the two will produce our ideal toy, and within our limited budget.

    Its a one off as well, no plans to produce them as it would be uneconomic. No claims will ever be made that its an original F40. It will be a F355 with an F40 body.

    Its all housed indoors now, lack of space at the time meant they had to sit outside under tarps for a while
     
  2. PAUL500

    PAUL500 F1 Rookie

    Jun 23, 2013
    3,136
    #2 PAUL500, Dec 3, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  3. PAUL500

    PAUL500 F1 Rookie

    Jun 23, 2013
    3,136
    #3 PAUL500, Dec 3, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    The roll cage buck as purchased, originally a challenge car that had a minor off on a track day and the marshalls got a bit over enthusiastic with the jaws of life when the driver complained of minor back ache, bye bye roof as a result! and it turned out he was fine after all
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  4. PAUL500

    PAUL500 F1 Rookie

    Jun 23, 2013
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    #4 PAUL500, Dec 3, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
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  5. PAUL500

    PAUL500 F1 Rookie

    Jun 23, 2013
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    #5 PAUL500, Dec 3, 2013
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  6. PAUL500

    PAUL500 F1 Rookie

    Jun 23, 2013
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    #6 PAUL500, Dec 3, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    The next stage is to get it to something along these lines, which is actually a 308.

    Dont hold your breath though, it could be a while.
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  7. greg328

    greg328 F1 Rookie

    Nov 17, 2003
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    Well, you've caught my interest. Wish u and your dad the best in this challenging endeavor.

    Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk
     
  8. PAUL500

    PAUL500 F1 Rookie

    Jun 23, 2013
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    #8 PAUL500, Dec 3, 2013
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  9. PAUL500

    PAUL500 F1 Rookie

    Jun 23, 2013
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    #9 PAUL500, Dec 3, 2013
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  10. PAUL500

    PAUL500 F1 Rookie

    Jun 23, 2013
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    #10 PAUL500, Dec 4, 2013
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  11. PAUL500

    PAUL500 F1 Rookie

    Jun 23, 2013
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    #11 PAUL500, Dec 4, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Test side panel in glass for a quick mock up, again the ones actually used will be carbon kevlar, and will feature the extra lower naca duct in the sill. Wheels shown are just workshop rollers, correct centre locks will be used, probably 18" BBS LM, 355 suspension all in for a quick dry run.

    All panels are dimensionally correct and could be fitted to an original F40

    We will also be using lightweight bricks and builders buckets in the future lol! in fact the chassis will be going on a proper rig soon to ensure everything lines up correctly.
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  12. texasmr2

    texasmr2 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Fantastic project!!
     
  13. PAUL500

    PAUL500 F1 Rookie

    Jun 23, 2013
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    #13 PAUL500, Dec 4, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    This is very tempting at the moment, came out of a very low mileage 599 and can be had for £12k from a local breaker. Must resist, legal fees to cover first.

    600 bhp of instant lag free muscle, and the stunning sound of a v12 ferrari to boot.
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  14. texasmr2

    texasmr2 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    That would be great and maybe a security deposit could be put down?
     
  15. 3604u

    3604u F1 Veteran
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    Wishing you guys all the best.

    The F40 is a dream car and glad you are doing lots of research and making it a hybrid F40 :) why don't you consider using the 430 engine with a turbo kit, just a suggestion

    Paul, can you help source for a F458 shell.. I need one with or without an engine,

    Thanks :)
     
  16. PAUL500

    PAUL500 F1 Rookie

    Jun 23, 2013
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    cheers mate, I know you like the F40LM, so this is a budget version, somewhere between a 1:18 model and the real deal
     
  17. PAUL500

    PAUL500 F1 Rookie

    Jun 23, 2013
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    I will keep an eye out for you. german ebay seems to be the place to source parts for europe, maybe the suppliers of these engines might be able to help you

    FERRARI 458 ITALIA 4.5 V8 ENGINE MOTOR | eBay

    Engine Ferrari 458 Italia 4.5 V8 570HP 420kW- Parts 458 Italia | eBay


    the other place is www.eurospares.co.uk but they tend to ask big bucks
     
  18. JeremyJon

    JeremyJon F1 Veteran

    Jul 28, 2010
    7,569
    Calgary, Canada
    Excellent work Paul, I've been researching and drawing up similar designs for last few years, but using a donor 348, and much more replicating of the factory F40 in execution, let's just say that overlaying 348 & F40 blueprint drawings reveals much similarity! Looking forward to seeing more!
     
  19. PAUL500

    PAUL500 F1 Rookie

    Jun 23, 2013
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    Spot on Jeremy. My initial basic research actually involved buying a 1:24 scale model kit of a 348 and an F40 and swapping across the bodies which sort of confirmed it could be done.

    It was still a gamble, but when the first 355 chassis was purchased and stripped and the F40 panels lined up, it all fell into place nicely.

    The windscreen scuttle and door fixing locations are identical to the F40, as is the wheelbase.

    I have no doubt Ferrari used the basic dimensions from the F40 when laying out the 348

    The F40 side panel matches up to the door location on the 355 perfectly, it will just need a trim to slide over the existing cill of the 355 and also needs to protrude out a further 25mm either side width wise and its then in the same place as the mounting points on an F40 chassis.

    Good luck with your plans and no doubt we can share info along the way.
     
  20. FerrariF50lover

    FerrariF50lover Formula 3

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    It would be amazing with turbo's.
     
  21. texasmr2

    texasmr2 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    +1 Million!!!!
     
  22. sherpa23

    sherpa23 F1 Veteran
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    IF any of you guys want any of my spare original F40 parts, let me know. I got all new parts from Ferrari so a lot of the original spares I was hanging onto should probably go to better homes.
     
  23. texasmr2

    texasmr2 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Now offers like this is what imho define a TRUE car guy.
     
  24. PAUL500

    PAUL500 F1 Rookie

    Jun 23, 2013
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    Wow that is an offer Sherpa. I will send you a pm to see what's in our budget that we could buy from you for the project.

    With ours being 355 based I imagine mechanical components would be more suitable for other F40 owners/restorers
     
  25. sherpa23

    sherpa23 F1 Veteran
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    No doubt. And I'm not charging ridiculous prices but I do want fair deals for real F40 parts (body and mechanical) so it may not necessarily make the most financial sense. But when it comes to the difference between one of these projects looking like a kit car vs a real Ferrari, sometimes it's use of real parts that makes the difference. It would stink to get all the way through a project and have just not look right because the parts weren't right. The only body spares I have left are side pods and roof. I do have seats and stuff too.
     

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