F355 and passenger airbag

[chuck_ster]

Hiya. I'm slowly working my way through the cars I need to own at some time in my life and I'm thinking about the f355 now.
I need the ability to be able to take my children out on nice summer jaunts, so no airbag or a factory fitted deactivation switch( a'la Porsche or VW/Audi) is essential. I wouldn't want to just rip out a fuse for legal/insurance reasons.
I know the early 355's had none, I'd like to know if there were an intermediate between no airbags and both driver and passenger, that would be cool and would help in my searching. I'm the wrong side of London to make popping into Verdi/Talacrest etc a no brainer.
Anyway, I've done a search, couldn't find anything definitive..and I can't get ferrarichat at work..please help?
Ta
Cman

[ferrari355gtb]

I'm sure the models in between have a drivers airbag and no passenger airbag. The passenger airbag came out in late 96 early 97. I'm sure the ones before that had a drivers airbag.

But IMHO I wouldn't let the airbag issue determine which model to buy - it is a fairly easy job turning the passenger airbag off.

[chuck_ster]

Thanks for that. I've tried speaking to insurers before about disabling the airbag...they really don't care for it much. I guess it's personal injury cover for the passenger that freaks them..
Of course I'm talking about ferrying around my nearest and dearest, not clients, so I'd not be expecting a lawsuit from my son/daughter should someone drive into the front of me, but tell that to the underwriters LOL
Ta,
Charles

[stuh]

ferrari355gtb said:

I'm sure the models in between have a drivers airbag and no passenger airbag. The passenger airbag came out in late 96 early 97. I'm sure the ones before that had a drivers airbag. But IMHO I wouldn't let the airbag issue determine which model to buy - it is a fairly easy job turning the passenger airbag off.

Some late 95's have passenger airbags......

[tonyhopkins]

My late build '95 Spider has p airbag

[infinity]

ferrari355gtb said:

I'm sure the models in between have a drivers airbag and no passenger airbag. The passenger airbag came out in late 96 early 97. I'm sure the ones before that had a drivers airbag. But IMHO I wouldn't let the airbag issue determine which model to buy - it is a fairly easy job turning the passenger airbag off.

Ok, but then how do you do this? Or do you have to let the dealer do this?

[burriana500]

chuck_ster said:

Thanks for that. I've tried speaking to insurers before about disabling the airbag...they really don't care for it much.

Might be worth pointing out that technically it is against the law to have an operational passenger airbag whilst using a child seat (I think it was TonyH who mentioned this a couple of days ago).

Not sure at what child age it becomes ok to have airbag operational though - we have this problem in the Saab.

[BrianDrought]

Take fuse, blow it up with more current than it'll handle. Replace.

How would insurers know that the airbag just failed to deploy?