348 Foldable roofs - where do they come from?

[Nosevi]

Hi all.

Just a quick one and not sure if anyone could give a definitive answer but of the 348 foldable soft tops out there, there's one type which 'claims' to be OEM or at least supplied by Ferrari. It's the one with the silver speed restriction sticker on in the same languages as in the 348 manual. I've had 2 and both were 100% identical other than condition, they were definitely made by the same people and the second one I bought claimed to be still in its Ferrari box (it was in a correct sized yellow Ferrari box but it's original box? who knows......) . But where did they really come from?

I'm 99% certain they weren't around when the TS first came out and I've not seen any really early pictures of cars with them on but they seemed to start popping up late in the 1990s. Another thread made me wonder if there are any similarities to the F50 soft top so I did a bit of digging, looking at photos and videos of F50s with the soft top on and although there's nothing definitive there is a passing resemblance between the F50 soft top and the 348 foldable one.

They are obviously a different design as they fit different cars and have to store in different places, but the catches used at the front of the F50 roof and sides of the 348 roof look very similar if not the same, the metal tubing looks similar if not the same, the way it has extra fabric stuck around the central bar with a strip under it against the fabric of the roof is exactly the same, the fabric looks exactly the same although without having them sitting here it's tough to say..........

So, a theory: These roofs were never actually around when the 348 was being built so are not strictly speaking OEM. But a few years later after the launch of the F50 a 348 owner, probably fed up with having to store his hard targa and so move the seat forward, asked Ferrari if they could knock up a roof for the 348 similar to the F50 roof. Perhaps he was a good customer, perhaps he had bought an F50 who knows, but Ferrari made him a roof for his 348 using the same tubing, catches, fabric etc as he had on his F50 roof. His mates or a few dealers were impressed and so Ferrari made a few more and so was borne the 348 foldable targa, as I say not strictly speaking OEM but made by Ferrari to placate a stroppy 348 owner (of which there are many ).

Anyone any views on this? The sort of thing Ferrari back in the late 90s may have done?

Essentially it matters not, just curious where they came from.

 

[Nosevi]

Couple of shots of the fabric used for both the F50 and 348 foldable roofs showing upper side and underneath. Nothing particularly definitive but it does look surprisingly similar. Also shows the fabric covered bar across the middle of the roof which looks identical:

 

[irarref]

It's an OEM Ferrari part #63380800



NB It also fits the 355 (I've tried it on one)

 

[A348W]

It's an OEM Ferrari part #63380800

View attachment 157049

NB It also fits the 355 (I've tried it on one)

Well that was easy :laugh::laugh:

 

[Nosevi]

It's an OEM Ferrari part #63380800

View attachment 157049

NB It also fits the 355 (I've tried it on one)

Well that was easy :laugh::laugh:

:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

Indeed it was. Cheers Jeff. And it's definitely the one we both have. :thumbsup:

I still think it wasn't around on the launch of the 348 TS and there are definite similarities with the F50 one. Wonder if the part numbers are concurrent and the number for this roof confirms or disproves that?

 

[irarref]

I'm not sure if I'm misunderstanding you I'm pretty sure it doesnt fit an F50 - nothing more than a similar design. If you put the part# in the search it will tell you if a part applies to more than one model and in this case its just a 348.

Notice how round the F50 front screen is on pic below:

https://www.eurospares.co.uk/parts/...windscreen-pillar-and-sporting-roll-bar-20890


They have been around (and in stock) for quite a few years - see copy of old parts catlog when it was listed quite a bit cheaper.

 

[Nosevi]

I'm not sure if I'm misunderstanding you I'm pretty sure it doesnt fit an F50 - nothing more than a similar design. If you put the part# in the search it will tell you if a part applies to more than one model and in this case its just a 348.

Notice how round the F50 front screen is on pic below:

https://www.eurospares.co.uk/parts/...windscreen-pillar-and-sporting-roll-bar-20890


They have been around (and in stock) for quite a few years - see copy of old parts catlog when it was listed quite a bit cheaper.

No, I didn't mean the same roof fit both cars, more wondering if the 348 foldable roof came out sort of as a result of the F50 one being made - someone sees the F50 one and wants similar for their 348 and Ferrari duly oblige. So the 348 foldable roof was actually made after the F50 was launched with its foldable roof.

All this is sort of in response to another thread where an aftermarket 348 foldable roof is being sold. The seller said he thought they were all aftermarket and Ferrari had never made a 348 foldable roof but your post with part number clearly shows that's not the case and the roof we both have is indeed made by Ferrari. I thought they were (bought mine still boxed) but you never really know if the seller is being 100% truthful.

I'm just curious really, if they weren't around when Ferrari launched the 348 but they were made by Ferrari, then when and what prompted them to make them?

Edit: Part numbers obviously don't run concurrently - some 348 part numbers are higher numbers than some parts for later cars.

 

[Nosevi]

All in all I guess it doesn't matter much, you've answered my question, Jeff, which is that Ferrari did in fact make the 348 foldable targa we both have, or at least they had them made but they were supplied by Ferrari and have a part number to prove it. When, why and to who doesn't really matter all that much.

I can therefore double the asking price when I come to sell it as is traditional :laugh:

 

[275gtb]

here are pictures of an f50 roof so you can compare materials, tubes etc.

F50 roof are very very rare and almost impossible to find - there are several F50's in the UK missing them, and a few I am aware of in the USA. I have seen them offered as high as £35,000 and know of one that changed hands for £25,000 recently.

cheers Mark

 

[Nosevi]

Cheers Mark, much appreciated :thumbsup:

Obviously now confirmed that the 348 roof was also made by Ferrari and while there are clear differences (not least the price - why on earth don't Ferrari knock out a few more F50 roofs?) you can see a few similarities in things like the stitching although that may just be the generic way to stitch a soft top, no idea.

The 348 underside looks identical to the close up of the upper side of the F50 roof, but the upper side of the 348 roof has a more closely knit side. The F50 roof looks to be lined with a completely different material, is that correct? The 348 one isn't.

Lower side of 348 roof:



Upper side of 348 roof:



The way the leading edge is dealt with is very similar between both roofs and as I said, the way the central bar is covered in the same fabric as the underside is the same.



The design is obviously different to fit different cars but you can see the side bars appear to be a similar grade/thickness and are clearly made for the job. When you look at some copies of the 348 roof these are just basic bars and not made specifically for this roof.



Which came first? No idea but if I was a betting man I'd still go with the F50 roof followed quite quickly by Ferrari being badgered into knocking out something to do the same job for the 348. Could have been the other way round though I guess with the 348 roof coming first and some ideas from it being used to make a more fully incorporated folding soft top for the F50.