The Ferrari 348 Challenge/Serie Speciale Sports Cars

Ferrari 348 Challenge Image

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The Ferrari 348 Challenge

THE CAR

The 348 Challenge sports car from Ferrari was a single marque race Series, first set up in 1993, and aimed at amateur drivers. It was initially established in Europe and, within a year, had spread to the US.

Originally, the Series centred on converted 348 Serie Speciale cars, but this was later extended to any 348 from 1989 onwards that reached 348 SS specification.

In 1994, Ferrari introduced a limited edition of just 45 cars, consisting of 32x348 TB's and 13x348 TS's, targeted at the US market, that were designated the 348 Factory Challenge.

The Serie Speciale sports cars included sills that were painted the same colour as the rest of the car, and this feature was carried over to the Challenge Series.

These Challenge cars had road-going trim, and each received an individually numbered plate that was positioned on the right hand door frame.

They were fitted with upgraded engine control units, a large heat shield, and a less restrictive exhaust system, although there was a race version that utiised straight through pipes. also included were:

Points to clip on the harness
Mounting points for the anti-roll cage
aluminium pedals
Brake ducts beneath the car
Tow hooks at both ends of the car
Stiffer springs
Front and rear bumpers made of fibre glass
Leather wrapped steering wheel containing the "348" insignia

The cost of the optional Challenge kit from Ferrari was $14,000, and they indicated that, using this kit, it would take around 60 man hours to convert the original car to race trim.

The 3.4 litre, double overhead cam, V8 engine used in the Challenge Series would develop an increased 320 bhp.

The resulting racer would use slick tyres, and have an improved braking system, and upgraded aerodynamics.

The 1995 season was the last in which the 348 Challenge car would be entered in race meetings since, by that time, it had been superseded by the Ferrari 355 Challenge model.

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The Ferrari 348 Serie Speciale

THE CAR

The Serie Speciale sports car from Ferrari referred to a limited edition of 100 modified versions of the 348 TB and TS that was built between 1992 and 1993, and targeted at the US market only.

Since the rear wheels used wider rims, then the rear track was increased by two inches. It was also fitted with:

Free flow exhaust system
Higher final drive
Front splitter
New front and rear grille
Alternative rear light assembly
Bumpers and rocker covers marching the colour of the car
Sports seats and door panels both covered in leather

Each sports car was individually numbered with a special plate positioned on the passenger's door post.

Finally, in 1994, a further 15 units were built as a result of favourable demand.

THE ENGINE

The 348 Serie Speciale was powered by the same 3.4 litre, double overhead cam, V8 engine that was fitted to the original variants.

However, this unit was slightly modified, and developed 312 bhp at 7200 rpm, whilst still producing the same top speed, but with a marginal reduction in the 0-60 mph time of 5.3 secs.

Technical Data	348 Serie Speciale	348
Production	1992-1993	1989-1993
Engine, cc	3405	3405
Cylinders, bhp	8, 312	8, 300
Torque ft/lbs	-	229
Top Speed mph	171	171
0-60 mph, secs	5.3	6.0
0-100 mph, secs	-	14.5
Standing 1/4 Mile, secs	13.3	14.3

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COMPETITION

A cross section of competition for the 348 Challenge and Serie Speciale cars included: Corvette ZR1, Honda NSX, and Marcos LM500. Ferrari performance:

Ferrari Corvette Honda Marcos
Technical Data 348 Challenge ZR1 NSX LM500
Production 1992-1994 1993 1993          1994
Engine, cc 3405 5727 194             305
Cylinders, bhp 8, 320 8, 405 6, 276 8, 320
Torque ft/lbs 250 384 225          330
Top Speed mph 175 182 171 169
0-60 mph, secs 5.2 4.9 5.0 4.8
0-100 mph, secs - 10.5 11.4 11.7
Standing 1/4 Mile, secs 13.6 12.8 13.1 13.5