| Author |
Message |
Dave328GTB (Hardtop)
Member
Username: Hardtop
Post Number: 604
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 10:07 pm: | |
In the 1980's, coupes were rarely bought in the US. I think it was the Magnum PI factor. Coupes were more popular in Europe. Beginning with 348's, coupes began to gain popularity. With 355's, coupes became quite popular again.
I have had both GTS and GTB versions of 308's and 328's. I can say with some authority that the B's are much stiffer and this translates into a much better driving car, not just track handling.
I don't see any point to a targa top when a full convertible is available.
Judging from comments and conversations with potential Fcar buyers, demand for the coupes has picked up. Bill Orth at FOD told me you could not give away a GTB 10 years ago. Now there are many buyers and most end up with GTS's out of frustration.
Dave
PS I freely admit to a strong Berlinetta bias. |
Erik (Teenferrarifan)
Junior Member
Username: Teenferrarifan
Post Number: 217
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 9:40 pm: | |
Thanks Dennis
Erik |
Dennis (Bighead)
Junior Member
Username: Bighead
Post Number: 140
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 9:35 pm: | |
Actually, the GTS is not nearly as rigid as the coupe. It's not that more stable than a Spider. Think about it... if you have a coupe, the front and rear ends are connected by the roof and the floor pan. If you have a GTS, it's on the floor pan. Imagine a shoe box; now cut out "doors" in the sides... both ends will "flop" down.
When the roof is on, it helps, but still not great. Drive a GTS at an angle over a ramp, and you can f*e*e*l the body flexing.
Also, stowing the roof behind the seats really compromises legroom for anyone over, say, 5'10. The Spider was the answer for people who really wanted the style and enjoyment of topless driving, hence the relative rarity of the GTS, particularly after 1995.
vty,
--Dennis |
Erik (Teenferrarifan)
Junior Member
Username: Teenferrarifan
Post Number: 211
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 8:17 pm: | |
I agree that a 360 targa wouldn't look good compared to a coupe or spider. But, that 355 gts looks awesome with a body color top. How hard was it to remove and store behind the seats? If I ever buy a 355 it would most likely be a gts the car just looks perfect and for PA would be the best blend.
Erik |
Kendall Kim (Kenny)
Junior Member
Username: Kenny
Post Number: 161
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 7:51 pm: | |
I'm not sure why the 355GTS wasn't so popular.. It gives you the advantage of a more rigid chassis that only a coupe can offer, yet, also offers open top motoring at the same time when you take off the targa top... The convertible is not really suitable for track usage.. The 355 GTS was a good compromise..
When I asked the sales manager at Miller Motors if a targa would be offered when the 360 first came out, he said no, only because it disturbs the lines of the 360 and does not enhance the aesthetics of the car as well as it did on the 355.. |
wm hart (Whart)
Intermediate Member
Username: Whart
Post Number: 1258
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 7:29 pm: | |
Dunno. I guess its because its neither fish nor fowl? I had a 355 gts and thought it preserved the overall line of the hardtop, but gave me that open air experience. It was truly nice, but you are right, they didn't seem to be popular. I'm not sure whether that had any effect on the decision about the form(s) of 360.(Honestly, though, i tend to see more spiders than anything in the 355). |
Erik (Teenferrarifan)
Junior Member
Username: Teenferrarifan
Post Number: 209
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 4:49 pm: | |
I agree that the coupes have the best lines, but I still can't believe that in the northeast you wouldn't see more GTS's. It would be much easier to live with then the spider IMO, and would be cheaper. I just can't figure it out.
Erik |
Mark Collins (Markcollins)
Member
Username: Markcollins
Post Number: 256
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 4:39 pm: | |
Erik
think you're right the Spider took a lot more sales particulalry in the States, the GTS is more popular in Europe |
Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Intermediate Member
Username: Stickanddice
Post Number: 1133
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 4:27 pm: | |
Not sure on production figures, but here in CA all I seem to see are spiders.
Personally I like the way the coupes look better.
Cheers |
Erik (Teenferrarifan)
Junior Member
Username: Teenferrarifan
Post Number: 208
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 4:24 pm: | |
Today I visited Algar and was amazed by the fact they had 2 355 coupes and this got me thinking. Why are there so many 355 coupes and so few 355 gts's when it was the complete opposite with the 308 and 328. The only thing I can think of is the spider came along(no pun intended), but why weren't there this many coupes before? can anyone shine some light on the situation?
Erik |