Was the GTO ever available with ball polished wheels? Received an offer for ball polished wheels but cant seem to recall if the factory ever offered these, I cant recall ever seeing a picture of a GTO with ball polished wheels.
Yes polished (not ball polished) was initially offered as an option but for some reason was soon dropped after the official launch. I have seen photos of a couple of cars specced with them. They were on the option sheet when I specced mine.
You can search my posts in the GTO thread I posted pictures of a GTO with ball polished wheels. I couldn't tell if it was stock or done after delivery
I have been offered some factory ball polished wheels but they seem particularly shiny, much the same as some wheels which were fitted to 612's. Apart from the one GTO here I think all either had black of the satin finish wheels. Hence I am surprised to be offered such "rare" GTO wheels!
The ball polished or 'shot peened' as some call the finish WAS indeed available on the 599 GTO. It was a rare option, and I hunted the planet to find a set at the time. I was told by a dealer in UK that the only remaining set in the world was in NJ (at Ferrari North America), and well so was I !! FATE And so I bought them and they are on my 612 OTO and Very Sharp. And of course I have the original Ferrari boxes. If someone offers you a set, I'd buy them and hold on... I don't think it gets much better than these on this era of car IMHO And Lovely view of the Calipers & Carbon Ceramics!!! Image Unavailable, Please Login
I think they are spectacular. This GTO is for sale in First Motors Dubai. Here a couple of pics I took. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Here are two more I think I already posted, but what the heck. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Thanks Terry= Always a pleasure to hear from you ( a real compliment coming from one who I consider one of the most valued F Chatters ever) -Moe
Only 99% sure, but i would say the white one has the thin spoke BBS. The others has the thick spoke AppTech rims. Daniel
For me it's the best looking rim ever. The cherry on the cake is the BBS FI-R. Officially not available for Ferrari. Once more thinner spokes than the GTO rims from BBS (BBS FI) Daniel Image Unavailable, Please Login
Shot peening and ball polish are 2 different finishing technologies. A version from the Monolitic rims for the GTB were ball polished with steel balls. The GTO rims from the blue one are very shiny and smooth, i would say they are vibratory grinded with ceramic grinding pieces, not with steel balls. We call it trowalisieren. In my department at work we have some of the machines, also shot peening and ball polishing in the other plant. Daniel
Ironically a few years after I made this initial post the local dealer sent out a parts list of items they wanted sell and there was a set of these polished wheels included.
