| Author | Message | ||
| Don McCormick (Dandy_don)
Junior Member Username: Dandy_don Post Number: 79 Registered: 2-2002 |
jeff, Yes please let me know what it would be with and without the grille. Thanx Don | ||
| Jeff Howe (Ferrari_uk)
Member Username: Ferrari_uk Post Number: 277 Registered: 12-2002 |
Hi all. Nuvolari - thanks for that very useful info. Hopefully that has helped all of us decided if we want to / can do the job and what bits are required. So.....what's the best way of lowering the front end ? Just use different springs ? And for the front end also, are the brackets/tubes that you need to fabricate something available off the shelf ? Something we may have in stock ? I shall take a look at the grille retail price and see what/if there is anything we can do with it, if this would help... Dandy Don - bearing Nuvolari's post in mind, should we add a Euro grille to the shipping cost we're doing for you to Kansas City ? Cheers all. | ||
| Tazio Nuvolari (Nuvolari)
Junior Member Username: Nuvolari Post Number: 223 Registered: 9-2002 |
Allow me to shed a little light on this as I have recently gone through the procedure of fitting factory Euro bumpers (not reproductions) to my US spec car. I'll discuss things one bumper at a time: Rear The rear bumper is the easiest to fit however it is necessary to make new mounts. I made mine out of tubular steel (with the same outer diameter -OD - of the bumper shocks I removed) with a rectangular plate welded to the end and two oval shaped holes that were sufficiently oversized to allow for some adjustment. US cars use rubber 'ears' on each side to to tidy up the look of the US bumpers. When you go Euro, there is no need for these. The actual installation takes a little 'fitting' to get all of your tolerances perfect. This is not difficult but rather a little time consuming. Front The front is a little more work. First of all the indicator housings fit the same as in a US car. Be aware that the lenses on Euro cars have white parking lights and orange indicators while the Us ones are all orange. Now for the tricky part. US cars are welded differently in the front than their Euro counterparts. Euro cars have two tubes that are welded to the car a mate up to the mount that is in Jeff's hand (see top picture at beginning of this thread). US cars do not have this so the solution is to either weld a tube to the car or make a bracket that uses the factory mounting point for the original bumper shock but leaves you with a tube that protrudes to meet the mount in the afforementioned picture. Making this mount requires some measuring and fabrication skills but it is really not that hard. Once mounted there are two hurdles to overcome: 1. The reduced weight of the Euro bumpers really add some ride height to the car and give you an ugly wheel well gap. Lowering the car is definatly needed at this stage. 2. The front bumper is so much trimmer that the US one that it leaves you with a grill that looks silly because it is so small. The grill has to be replaced for a Euro unit if you go the Euro bumper route. I must say that I am thrilled with the conversion however be aware that it is not a straight bolt on. Other parts and a little time is required to get a really nice result. Here are the pics of my US car with the Euro bumpers   | ||
| JPM (John_308qv)
Junior Member Username: John_308qv Post Number: 127 Registered: 4-2001 |
Jeff, Do the U.S. light assemblies fit in the euro bumpers or do these have to switched out with euro units? John | ||
| Sean F (Agracer)
Junior Member Username: Agracer Post Number: 140 Registered: 2-2003 |
Jeff, No need to eat your hat. I just had conflicting information and wanted to know what the correct answer was. The car I'm looking at supposedly has "euro" bumpers, and the guy said they were fiberglass. I'm wanted to verify what I was getting if I buy the car. Thanks | ||
| Jeff Howe (Ferrari_uk)
Member Username: Ferrari_uk Post Number: 274 Registered: 12-2002 |
Hi all. I've gone into this a bit deeper now - and it looks like I've been given what we call duff gen ! ie, some ambiguous information ! The Euro ones ARE made of fibreglass, you can see it if you look at the back of them, you can see the raw finish. They do come a satin black finish although some of our pieces may require refinishing due to the odd scratch; these are 20 years old ! Hopefully this should answer the questions. I'm off to eat my hat now ! Cheers. | ||
| Bob Briley (Bob_briley)
New member Username: Bob_briley Post Number: 3 Registered: 5-2003 |
My Euro 308 has hard fiberglass bumpers. I assume that they are original and I would hate to think somebody swapped them. | ||
| Jeff Howe (Ferrari_uk)
Member Username: Ferrari_uk Post Number: 270 Registered: 12-2002 |
Hi all. Wow - this is getting involved ! Let me go back and look again. Fibreglass or rubber - we gottem ! | ||
| Erik R. K. Jonsson (Gamester)
Member Username: Gamester Post Number: 320 Registered: 11-2000 |
The US version is heavy because it is rubber enclosing a steel chunk. I can show you a pic of what one looks like after all the rubber has been burned away. ~2.5"*3" full width steel- solid. | ||
| Sean F (Agracer)
Junior Member Username: Agracer Post Number: 133 Registered: 2-2003 |
I just read in the "Oringinal Ferrari V-8" book, page 40 that the European bumpers are Fiberglass. Either he's wrong or you've got some strange Factory bumper. Also, when I look at that picture, it looks like gel coat which is why I asked in the first place. Of course, it's a photo so that in and of itself can be deceiving. You've also got it sitting in front of you and we don't. | ||
| Steve M (Steve308gtsi)
Junior Member Username: Steve308gtsi Post Number: 59 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks Jeff, The OE Euro bumpers being already black saves a little time and money from having to paint them. I am ready to order anybody else? Regards, Steve | ||
| Jeff Howe (Ferrari_uk)
Member Username: Ferrari_uk Post Number: 268 Registered: 12-2002 |
Hi all. Clarity is needed here I think ! The Genuine USA and European spec' 308 bumpers are made of a thick, black rubber material. From what I've seen of the US ones, they are solid rubber and this is why they weigh so much whereas the Euro ones are made of the same material but are hollow. There are no Genuine fibreglass ones - these are aftermarket things, presumably sold in the US for the weight reduction. Fibreglass is fine except it CAN crack or craze after a while and when painted CAN look terrible. Think of old TVRs and especially Lotus'. This is MY experience of fibreglass or GRP and is not necessarily the Company's view :-) Anyway....Our Genuine Euro (&US) bumpers come in the Original black rubber, per the Factory. Tommy....discount !! Ha ha ! Too much vino in Italy ! :-) We do ship at COST and our prices are gooooood !! Have a nice weekend. | ||
| Bob Briley (Bob_briley)
New member Username: Bob_briley Post Number: 2 Registered: 5-2003 |
My Euro 308 has hard fiberglass-like material for the bumpers, nothing rubber-like. Does this mean that they were changed? | ||
| Tommy Anastasiou (Tommya)
Junior Member Username: Tommya Post Number: 100 Registered: 10-2002 |
Jeff, While in Italy last week we spoke on the phone about this subject. Possible group buy and a nice  discount ??? Please advise Regards Tommy A | ||
| Sean F (Agracer)
Junior Member Username: Agracer Post Number: 130 Registered: 2-2003 |
Well I guess he painted the rubber ones then. I'm pretty sure they were original but I'm just going off photo's. I've not actually gone and looked at the car yet but hope to in the next week or so. Either way, the bumpers painted to match the car looked very nice. Not to mention the 16" Speedline wheels. | ||
| Jeff Howe (Ferrari_uk)
Member Username: Ferrari_uk Post Number: 267 Registered: 12-2002 |
Don - we're on it, will post a cost when we have it. Have a nice w/e all. JH | ||
| Don McCormick (Dandy_don)
Junior Member Username: Dandy_don Post Number: 77 Registered: 2-2002 |
Jeff, how much to ship a set of Euro bumpers to zipcode 66208 in the Kansas City area. Thanx Don McCormick | ||
| Jeff Howe (Ferrari_uk)
Member Username: Ferrari_uk Post Number: 266 Registered: 12-2002 |
Hi Sean - No, the Genuine Euro ones are rubber too. Dare say there are GRP copies around. Ours are Genuine Ferrari pieces. Cheers. | ||
| Sean F (Agracer)
Junior Member Username: Agracer Post Number: 128 Registered: 2-2003 |
Aren't the Euro bumpers fiberglass while the US ones are rubber? I'm looking at a '77 GTB with Euro bumpers that the guy had painted red to match the car and it looks very nice. | ||
| Jeff Howe (Ferrari_uk)
Member Username: Ferrari_uk Post Number: 260 Registered: 12-2002 |
Hi all. That's right Dapper, you get the look but still have the extra 45 lbs to carry round. All that weight carried on each end of the car, yikes ! If someone gives me a zipcode I can get a shipping quote sorted for east or west coast, or anywhere else for that matter. Let me know if it's of interest. Regards. | ||
| Mike Charness (Mcharness)
Member Username: Mcharness Post Number: 528 Registered: 8-2002 |
Dave P, that works great and is easy to do. You just don't get the weight savings. | ||
| JPM (John_308qv)
Junior Member Username: John_308qv Post Number: 125 Registered: 4-2001 |
The base prices for the original parts are great. I would be really interested except that the cost of shipping to the mid-west adds signifcantly to the cost :-( | ||
| Dave Penhale (Dapper)
Member Username: Dapper Post Number: 665 Registered: 4-2002 |
wasn't there another (no cost) option here recently, just to collapse the gas struts by either pressure or leak out by drilling holes? | ||
| Philip Airey (Pma1010)
Junior Member Username: Pma1010 Post Number: 240 Registered: 7-2002 |
Mark Thanks for the response. Philip | ||
| Mark Langfield (Ferrari_co_uk)
New member Username: Ferrari_co_uk Post Number: 10 Registered: 4-2003 |
Hi Philip, The price of the euro grille is �435.70 (approx $706.46). Regards Mark | ||
| Bob Briley (Bob_briley)
New member Username: Bob_briley Post Number: 1 Registered: 5-2003 |
If you're interested, I'll post a front view of the small spoiler'd Euro. | ||
| Henry D. Chin (Hanknum)
Junior Member Username: Hanknum Post Number: 131 Registered: 2-2002 |
Steve- I'll see if I can borrow a neighbors bathroom scale. | ||
| Verell Boaen (Verell)
Member Username: Verell Post Number: 733 Registered: 5-2001 |
The larger spoiler was a US option & was semi-standard in Europe. My understanding is that the openings are identical it's just how far down the bib extends. | ||
| Bill V (Doc)
Member Username: Doc Post Number: 334 Registered: 9-2001 |
I have a Q re: the Euro spoiler/ grill/ bumper set-up. I've seen pictures of some 308's which seem to be equipped with the Euro bumper and wide grill, but have the small, US-style, chin spoiler ( lower air dam). Did a Euro model come with a set-up like this or is it something that someone would have done to the car? I actually like the look. Will the wide Euro grill fit into the mouth of a US spec spoiler? | ||
| Steve M (Steve308gtsi)
Junior Member Username: Steve308gtsi Post Number: 56 Registered: 5-2002 |
Henry, I feel the same about the weight of my US bumpers. Last time I had mine off they sure seemed like at least 50lbs each. Maybe the older ones were heavier. If you have a chance weigh it. | ||
| Philip Airey (Pma1010)
Junior Member Username: Pma1010 Post Number: 233 Registered: 7-2002 |
jeff what's the price on the euro grill? Philip | ||
| Henry D. Chin (Hanknum)
Junior Member Username: Hanknum Post Number: 128 Registered: 2-2002 |
FWIW, I just pulled the front bumper off my '78 GTS today and it must have weighed closer to 50 lbs. | ||
| Steve M (Steve308gtsi)
Junior Member Username: Steve308gtsi Post Number: 55 Registered: 5-2002 |
Excellent Jeff, that is the exact grille i have on my car. I will be placing my F+R bumper order early next week. Keep a look out for it. Thanks, Steve | ||
| Steve M (Steve308gtsi)
Junior Member Username: Steve308gtsi Post Number: 54 Registered: 5-2002 |
Excellent Jeff, that is the exact grille i have on my car. I will be placing the order early next week. Keep a look out for it. Thanks, Steve | ||
| Jeff Howe (Ferrari_uk)
Member Username: Ferrari_uk Post Number: 259 Registered: 12-2002 |
Hi Steve, Picture of grille below. Looking forward to that order now ! :-)    | ||
| Steve M (Steve308gtsi)
Junior Member Username: Steve308gtsi Post Number: 53 Registered: 5-2002 |
Jeff, looks good. I am planning on contacting you soon and ordering a set. My car is a original euro model but had to have the US bumpers put on when it was brought here. I want to bring it back to original. I'm pretty sure I still have the euro front grille, but can you post a picture of it #60024304 so I can make sure I don't have to order it also. Thanks, Steve | ||
| Jeff Howe (Ferrari_uk)
Member Username: Ferrari_uk Post Number: 257 Registered: 12-2002 |
Hi all. I have done a bit of research on the subject of fitting Euro bumpers to US model 308. Having read the various threads on this subject it appears to be a simple job to reduce the existing US bumper mounts and set the existing bumpers further in. Having just weighed the bumpers in our warehouse the weight saving by fitting Euro spec bumpers is considerable: #60186806 US Front....15 KG or 33 lbs #60185006 US Rear.....16.5KG or 36 lbs #60209301 Euro Front..5 KG or 11 lbs #60206802 Euro Rear...6 KG or 13 lbs By fitting a pair of Euro bumpers a total weight saving of 20.5 KG or 45 lbs can be saved !! We also keep the Euro bumper mounts, 60118700 and 4 are required. To equip a car with a pair of Euro bumpers with new brackets then will set you back �715.30, about $1154 against replacing both US bumpers (if you needed to), �1685.35, about $2718. This mod (if it works like everyone says)will make your 308 look much sleeker and give you a not inconsiderbale weight reduction ! Whadya think ? Cheers.    |