[550JM]

Gents,
There are a few things I'd like to know about the SF badges on our fenders, if you have them....
I've seen different types, like i.e stickers and metal ones with enamel. Why aren't they on every F-car? Buyers choice? What's with the difference in material and sizes, and what about your cars, were they already on the fenders or did you do it yourself? Any tips on what type to use? I just bought an enamel set on Ebay, as my car doesn't have them, but not sure if they will hold and what to use to stick'em on permanently...double sided tape, some type of super glue? I wouldn't want to lose one while doing 120 being tailed by a Ducati Desmocedici....oeps..
I do know what the story is behind them.
Tips, stories....let's here it!

[550JM]

Sorry all, no idea why the pic and avatar keep popping up....admin HELP!

[champagne612]

Unless your fender is set up for the badges - they won't work.

The shields are embedded into the fender and the stick ons are for the guys who applied after market shields.

I have heard there are some shops in California that have reworked the fender but IMO not worth the trouble.

My 612 doesn't have them and I like it that way

If you really have to have them I am sure others will post some solutions.

I believe they ran around 1600.00 to check the box on the build sheet.

[tazandjan]

JM- Ferrari shields were available OEM on late model 550s and were Frenched (inletted) into the fender panels using a press and then fastened with studs and nuts. Aftermarket shields are thinner and usually attached with 3M double sided tape. The top end aftermarket shields are Yoshi shields and several friends of mine have fitted them with good results, Bill Karp among them.

The OEM shields can be fitted, but require serious body and paint work to inlet the fenders and fit the OEM shields, usually in the $2K price range. The good news is the Yoshi and lesser competitors' shields are easily removable with no paint damage if you ever change your mind.

So, if you like shields, go for it. I am ambivalent about shields. If a car came with them, fine, but I would never fit them to my car, which came without shields.

[Granucci]

^ Exactly.


Aftermarket stick-on shields vary quite a bit. I have magnetic ones I attach to my tool cabinets, and sick-ons that are both gel type and/or glossy sticker types that I use for a variety of reasons [posters, windows etc.] at times.

I had a set of Baccarat high end ones I sold to a member here [he is one of the Queen's carriage drivers], and wanted them for his 348.

Also, have picked up the YOSHI shields, which are better than most and most closely to the real shields. Yoshi arethin stick-ons with a slight curve to match the specific car. They are enameled well. IF one were to use a stick-on that is the one to get.

But as said, it is an option at time of build, and doing the fender recess after, might just lower the car's value IF the build sheet is later referenced...not sure on that.

Shields are supposed to belong on racing cars of the team only, but honestly, they do look good on some models, like a Fly yellow 355 spider. I prefer them off the 456 as it actually makes it look a bit shorter and breaks up the lines. Just my reasoning but can see the why someone would want them: I wouldn’t reject a car with shields for any reason regardless of some Ferrari enthusiast commenting otherwise.

TAZ: I posted about the same....gotta hit the enter key faster.

[wetpet]

your title answers your question -scuderia ferrari shields. originally only available on the race cars. i believe the F40 was the first street car to offer them. could be wrong. the first non supercar to offer them i believe was the 355. they definitely where available from then on as options. the only real modern shields are metal and i believe all of them a sunk into the fender. any modern road car with anything else is not from the factory. I believe all the race cars had stickers. someone jump in and correct me. usually, the aftermarket knock offs come with a way to attach them. usually adhesive tape. The only ones that i have seen that look decent are the very thin yoshi(sp?) shields. If your 550 didn't come from the factory with them, some people may consider glueing reproductions on slightly tacky. There, i said it. it is , of course, your car and should do with it what you please.

[Killer58]

There is one factory-authorized body shop in California that I know of. They will indent the fenders and install factory shields. For the 360, the price was around $8K, making them more expensive than the original option price. A 456 would be cheaper as there is easy access to the mounting spot. Only way to tell them from original is to look at the window sticker or build sheet.

The shields tend to be a very polarizing topic (a search on that other site will show you just how much). Some are adamant that they belong only on factory race cars. However, if that were true, Ferrari wouldn't offer them as options.

My Spider has the factory originals. I love them as do most people who see the car. I agree that they look better on some models than on others. Had my car not had them, it would have been a tough choice between Yoshi-types and $8K for a factory set. But as most here state, it's a matter of personal choice.

The Yoshi-type shields will work just fine with 3M adhesive tape. I bought Celeste a Porsche pair for her Boxster and they will NOT come off at speed, a car wash, or any other normal use. They have to be (gently) removed with a heat gun.

If you buy a Yoshi-type shield, just make sure you specify which model they're for as the curvature varies.

[Granucci]

Originally Posted by Killer58

There is one factory-authorized body shop in California that I know of. They will indent the fenders and install factory shields. For the 360, the price was around $8K, making them more expensive than the original option price. A 456 would be cheaper as there is easy access to the mounting spot. Only way to tell them from original is to look at the window sticker or build sheet.

The shields tend to be a very polarizing topic (a search on that other site will show you just how much). Some are adamant that they belong only on factory race cars. However, if that were true, Ferrari wouldn't offer them as options.

My Spider has the factory originals. I love them as do most people who see the car. I agree that they look better on some models than on others. Had my car not had them, it would have been a tough choice between Yoshi-types and $8K for a factory set. But as most here state, it's a matter of personal choice.

The Yoshi-type shields will work just fine with 3M adhesive tape. I bought Celeste a Porsche pair for her Boxster and they will NOT come off at speed, a car wash, or any other normal use. They have to be (gently) removed with a heat gun.

If you buy a Yoshi-type shield, just make sure you specify which model they're for as the curvature varies.

got me thinking:
1. One would have to almost destroy the Kevlar-CF hood. I don't think the 456 is a less expensive option, but actually a more expensive one.

2. I removed my Yoshi with flossing thread, as Yoshi recommends. He is a good help, and when one can reach him will respond right away. He replaced one shield entirely when the 3M tape became all messed up, somehow shipped that way.

BTW: I currently display no aftermarket shields....tempted, but opted not. Besides not a great as the OEM ones, I always hated some kids wanting to rip it off as they have done numerous times to even the keyed valve stem cap covers. Now the cap covers are throwaways and no one takes them...figures.

[Killer58]

Rik, I assumed the 456 (not M) had a metal bonnet. Shows you what I know.

Probably should have said blow dryer lest someone fry their paint. Dental floss works well too.

[550JM]

So...it seems to boil down to either a matter of taste or what is generally accepted as 'original'. As with my classic Ducati's I tend to lean towards the original state so how the car left the factory. However, as it defenately is an option presented by Ferrari may I conclude there is no right or wrong when the car was delivered new with or without the badges, however, that the general opinion is that adding them after market is considered not done?
Looking at the 550 in nero with the shields, it does look very cool IMHO and does add something extra to the car. Just out of curiousity....who is Yoshi and where can he be reached?

[550JM]

@wetpet: Ed, don't worry for saying it's slightly tacky.....owning an F-car in Holland, let alone driving it, is considered VERY tacky overhere. Unlike in other countries where driving a car like this makes you cool and people think it's great because obviously you are succesful in life, the Dutch feel different about it. So as I am already on the radar as a show off, I might as well glue the biggest badges on the car I can find ;-)

[Granucci]

YOSHI has a web site if you Google. I'm on cell or would provide link. He travels a lot so comm is hit miss. It is a hobby biz for him but when you get him he is responsive. EBay has constant listings from him to resellers. Start w his site first for model types etc.

[Killer58]

www.yoshield.com

[550JM]

Thank you gentlemen, I'll take a look and let you know if I will get tacky...;-)

[550JM]

Originally Posted by 550JM

Thank you gentlemen, I'll take a look and let you know if I will get tacky...;-)

I got tacky.....these look great!
Oh, and please don't tell anyone I'm putting after market SF shields on my car, ok?

[tazandjan]

JM- Good news is it is impossible to tell the OEM shields from the Yoshis unless you are closer than 2 meters. The shields themselves are very pretty and do add some contrast to the longnosed Maranello. Since they are easily removed, value and originality are unaffected.

[champagne612]

Originally Posted by 550JM

I got tacky.....these look great!
Oh, and please don't tell anyone I'm putting after market SF shields on my car, ok?

I won't tell anyone

Even used the secret decoder post symbol so only you can view this

[550JM]

Originally Posted by champagne612

I won't tell anyone

Even used the secret decoder post symbol so only you can view this

Is the decoder portable so I can also use it at live events?

@Terry: Yes, is a good thing you can remove them when needed. I agree with the fact to do add something to the nose...

Thanks guys!

[Granucci]

The decoder IS portable: Consists of a SF Shield in on a RUBIK's cube....only true Ferraristas can gain access... just ask this guy: Since you got shields and will be displaying you may be worthy.

[550JM]

Lol