More "Factory" 16" Wheel Questions

First of all, sorry for asking all of these questions... I do know how to use the "search" functions, but I keep finding a lot of vague and seemingly contradictory info about "real" 16" wheels. I'm on the verge of a purchase, but since it's a "non-insignificant" amount of money, I want to make sure that I understand everything properly. Here are my questions:

1. I'm under the impression that three manufacturers made OEM 16" 308 wheels over the course of several years: Speedline, Cromodora and Campagnolo. Correct?

2. Was there only one manufacturer per year, or did two or three of the above supply wheels at the same time?

3. I believe that regardless of year/manufacturer, all of the 16" OEM wheels made during the 308's tenure where made of a "light alloy" containing a decent amount of magnesium. Another words, there was never an OEM aluminum 16" 308 wheel, standard or optional. Is this true?

4. Was there an optional 16" wheel prior to the introduction of the QV? If so, was it a different wheel from the "QV" 16" wheel?

5. The Speedline wheels did not have raised "Ferrari" lettering on the outerside, but the others did... Is this correct?

6. All of them will say something to the effect of "Lego en Magnesio" somewhere on the back?

7. I've weighed aluminum 328 wheels, and they come up about 21.5/23.5 lbs (F/R)... If I weigh a supposedly magnesium wheel, I will see a noticeably lower weight. Approximately...?

8. In pictures, it sometimes appears that the magnesium wheels are a shade darker than the metric wheels (but not always)... Is this an illusion, or were there some years where they were painted a different shade?

I would really appreciate any "factual" answers, but not "guesses..." I've spent several nights searching, and have found a lot of info that is not always consistent. I won't see these wheels until next week, but I want to be armed with the right information.

Thanks a million for any help!!!

-Tarik

 

Hope this helps and I don't get in trouble.
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Crowndog gave you the page out of Bluemel's book which, if you don't have, will answer a lot of questions.
All of your observations are correct to my knowledge, but I'm no expert.

 

Thank you, Crowndog! Is this page from the Keith Bluemel book? I guess this answers my questions #4 and #8. Bluemel seems to say that the darker finished wheels were the optional wheel for early QVs.

 

Thanks George, I must have been typing at the same time as you...

 

Tarik- 16" wheels were an option on Euro 308s. My September 78 308 GTS, 25125, was fitted with them at the factory. For the rest of the trivia, someone else will have to chime in. Those wheels were different from the QV wheels. Keith's page is incomplete.
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I was cleaning up my OEM 16" wheels on my 84 QV last week and took some pictures - interestingly, my wheels are Cromodora, but a previous owner or shop put Campagnolo stickers on them! Here's the fronts:
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Thanks Taz - never seen that! You wouldn't happen to have a pic of the center console without the "refrigeration" (this is A/C right?) option would you? : )

I've removed my A/C, but wonder what the Euro cars looked like without it - was it just flat without the plate and control?

 

Fascinating! I never knew this option existed on carbed cars when they were new.

 

ST- Let me look, but I do not think I do.

No, just exterior shots. She was originally sold in Germany, and I picked her up there and drove her to England.

The only difference from ones with A/C is that the underdash vents were not there and the panel with the fan and compressor control were not there. At that time (1981-83), Ferrari sold a factory kit for the AC that only ran about $1000 in Europe in the 80s. I priced one out at Maranello Concessionaires, but never fitted it because it was really not needed in the UK. I sold her to Steve Forristal before returning to the US in 1983. How anyone drove her in Houston without AC is beyond me. Saw her later with the front spoiler replaced because it was destroyed coming off the boat.

 

I don't mean to hijack your thread but I have a set for sale. My car is an 83.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/ferrari-parts-collectibles/443542-sale-308-original-16-cromodora-magnesium-wheel-set.html

 

Thanks man - that is very helpful!

 

I have the factory optional 16 inch Cromodora magnesium wheels on my '83, but do not have a driver's side window sticker. Did the window stickers change for optional wheels or were all the stickers for the TRX wheels?

 

That's pretty cool info. Again not fair the Euro market got/gets all the good stuff.


When all else fails read the damn manual. - wife

 

My 84 Euro QV's window sticker lists the 16" staggered sizes and Pirelli P7 as the tire.

 

Same on my 85 Euro

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The 16" wheels first appeared as a hideously expensive and rare option right from the start of the 308 GTB's in 1976.

When I was first informed I didn't believe that they appeared so early in production. Then I was shown an example with date casting of 1976 and they also appear in the 1976 parts book. No doubt about it then

From memory they cost something like $4k in 1976, so very little uptake of the option as a result and it makes them a rare find today.

 

Tarik,

Not sure how much this helps but I've attached a few pics of one of my 16" wheels. FWIW, these are off my '80 GTSi. Wheels made on Nov 5th or May 11th, '81. There isn't any Ferrari lettering on the front. Given the build date and fact my window sticker indicates 14"- they were obviously purchased later.
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The wheels on my 85 euro are original and don't have the raised Ferrari lettering. I'll have them off shortly and will take a look at the backside.

 

I have an '83 with 16"s that have the same rear markings. No front markings. I did the vinegar test to be sure and they are definitely magnesium.

Gets tempting to sell them given the current market price.

 

Shmark : its been posted before but the raised lettering I seem to recall is on earlier wheels ie I think those shown in post 7 pre-date the car (but I cannot read their year code)

 

Only one, of the three makers has cast lettering.

 

My 85 Euro GTS has the raised Ferrari lettering and wheel size on the outside. I've seen shmark's 85 GTB, which doesn't, and we were both wondering why the difference. I guess like Big Tex said, different manufacturers.

 

Thanks for the pictures, Chad. I believe the "SL" number indicates these as Speedlines. Thanks again for the info!