what is acceptable on a 308 GTO recreation?

I don't like the replicas as they usually look wrong due to the wheel base issue. A sweet looking and performing 308 hot rod can be made without aping the GTO, which is the direction I'd rather more folks that want to modify the cars would go.

The 308 is an icon as it is. No need to try to be something it isn't,

 

At least in US, the creator of a recordation (text or photo or music, for instance) has the exclusive right to create copies of the recordation. A car is a functional thing, not a recordation. Absent a patent, which I will get to in a second, the creator cannot generally prevent other people from creating a copy of a functional thing via copyright law.

Patent law and trade secret law is generally where you look for protection of a functional thing. But unless there is something functional, novel, and non-obvious about a car's shape (for example, maybe someone invented a new kind of spoiler) patent law would offer no protection. Even if it did, it would last only until the patent expired (usually 17 years, if memory serves). And because a car's shape is exposed to the world, not secret, it cannot get trade secret protection.

The only real source of protection for a car's shape comes from the law of trademarks and trade dress. It is intended to prevent consumer confusion (ie the consumer thinks the fake is the real thing or sponsored by the real company) and dilution of the value of the mark (ie you don't bother buying the real Ferrari t-shirt because there are knock offs available). Trademark law protects the Ferrari emblem, so an imitator cannot misleadingly use the prancing horse, the Ferrari name, etc. Trade dress protects the more general appearance of a particular manufacturer's packaging, look, etc. If someone creates a pure knock off in a way that could create consumer confusion, that might be a violation of trademark or trade dress law.

When it comes to cars, I think a manufacturer would have trouble getting a court to actually shut down production of a replica unless they could show that consumers were actually likely to be confused by the thing or that it will diminish the value of the real manufacturer's marks. If its clearly marketed as a replica and does not use Ferrari badges, it would likely be fine. And if an individual decides to alter his own car to look like something else, there is no real chance a court would shut it down.

Now, what might happen is that a manufacturer sends a cease and desist letter with a threat of expensive litigation. Even if a court might ultimately hand the win to the little replica manufacturer at the end of months or years of litigation, the threat alone is often enough to get them out of the business.

 

Reproductions are acceptable in some industries, here is an ad with a Berreta and Colt knockoff:
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If I had the resources and time I would rather make my own interpretation based on the 308.

I would shoot for a tasteful, factory looking representation of what a 308 Stradale/Scuderia might look like. It would have GTO styling cues but not direct copies. Lighten things up drastically and go with the Caribou 3.5 upgrade matched with fresh suspension, coilovers, better brakes, etc.

I would also remove ALL badging and replace the hood badge with my own.

Now accepting contributions!

 

I agree with you, a hot rod 308 would be a cool thing with Ferrari look but NOT a copy of anything. The Caribou motor, modern Ferrari suspension and brakes, even Challenge rims maybe, seats from a modern F-car. BUT it's still a waste of money, restore the 308 to perfect original, yeah that's the best. Too slow or out of date for you? Buy a more modern and fatser car, just love the look of the real 288? Save save save up and get a real one! Can't afford one? Get a 360 cheap, or 430 real bargain these days, why mess up a perfectly beautiful vintage 308? Well if you really must have a fast one, then yes a hot rod like I started this rambling with would be very cool, but it is money thrown away for only your own enjoyment, but after all, isn't that what money is for?

 

Because you're starting with a Ferrari not a clapped out Pontiac. You can call it a Ferrari because it still is.

 

"What is acceptable to you as OK with a GTO replica based on 308?"

To Me? Nothing.

To someone else - whatever he/she want's to do with his/her car

 

I debated building a 288 from a 308 a few years ago. Doubting I could find a 288 power train I would opt for F40 stuff. The quest to make it correct enough that I would feel good about it means financial devastation during the build and compounded once I sold it when I grew tired. Not worth it.

 

Gents,

I know some of you are Canadians (and, worst, I am French...) but I assume we are speaking of "Carobu", not "Caribou", right?

Best

 

You're just going to have to bite the bullet Rob, and move the Rebody/Replica/Recreation discussion for cars of all vintages into one easy to ignore subforum.

The fake 288's don't fit in Vintage, and you don't want to have to add a Reb/Rep/Rec sticky to every model subforum.

Moving automotive discussion to PR&C means those of us intelligent enough to avoid PR&C, but not intelligent enough to avoid discussing Reb/Rep/Recs would have a problem.

Maybe just move it down to LamborghiniChat... those guys seem to be used to throwing their own feces at each other.

 

I dont get the hub- bub.. about 308's to 288 GTO clones... they are never going to be passed off as the rean thing...the engines alone would take 40-50K to reproduce at best, then lengthen the wheelbase, and all the body pannels would have to be changed - kevlar etc... to really fool an expert into beleiving its a 288....

now a rebody with wider flares, wheels etc.. i like. like the front end with the lights, and the larger Khamm spoiler and the GTO slots... I dont think Ferrari can come after you as long as you are not representing the car for sale as a 288 GTO even if you have the GTO emblembs on the car.... I have a scudetto on my company car... I'm not passing it off as a Ferrari... same principal here.

 

When you own the car, you can d WeverTF you want with it. What you do with it has no real effect on anyone else.

Don't like it? Don't do it to yours.

It's kinda like gay marriage: Don't like it? Then don't get one.

 

That's it in a nutshell. If the chassis isn't modified to match the 288 GTO's specs then all replicas are nothing more than IMSA styled/rebodied 308s.

I've said it before; asthetically, a 288 GTO replicar will never be accurate when using the stock 308 wheelbase. Period.

 

Forget recreations, I like the attitude of this one, take a perferctly good 288GTO and shove a Chevy motor in it! Did 198 mph...

I think people are too fussy today about these cars, recreations and modications make perfect sense, they are just cars. At the time there were many attempts to modify and improve on the vehicles, Ferrari itself never stood still for long in moving on to better technology and engineering. The recreators seem in some respects to me closer to the spirit behind the creation of these wonderful cars...
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Chevy powered 288, woah now that's a crime, BUT I guess it's your car, and you CAN do whatever you want to it!!

Seriously though, I just voice my opinions on things, the truth is that you can do whatever you want to your own car, any car.

 

IMO answer is "what ever the owner wants" ....if you don't own the car, it isn't your business really!

 

I missed question from a day or so ago...

Dynacorn, NPD and a bunch of similar companies sell fenders, hoods, bumpers, tailgates, headlights, rocker panels, quarterpanles, trunks, chrome trim, windshields, grills, headlights and TONS of other items. And they are ALL copies of parts the BIG companies sell. Not "internal stuff" as you mentioned. And yes, GOOD NEWS, you CAN go to your Toyota dealer & buy another bumper for your Toyota Tundra "Platinum Edition" truck if you want one. The VIN is almost always used to make it easy on the parts-guy looking up what you're asking for. He can see what year truck you own, parts numbers, what extras your truck came with from the factory etc... With a VIN number it makes his job easier. If you want Rock Warrior painted bumpers Rob, give me a call... I will get them from my local Toyota dealer without your VIN number. Just email me. You absolutely can buy upgraded parts for your truck from another model (if they'll fit). Heck, even if they WON'T fit your truck the dealer will sell them to you. It'll be your job to make them fit. ;o)

Why spend so much time & expense to change the exterior (looks), why did I do it? Why not do the handling and power??
That question is to easy to answer, you even know the answer to it. Some people enjoy going fast & some people like esthetics. Some people like both. Some like neither and drive Yugo's. hehe
I have ALWAYS LOVED the 288GTO, but I can't afford to buy a real one. And probably wouldn't, even if I COULD afford it. If I wanted something fast that handles great, I think I might buy a newer more technologically advanced car than an older Ferrari. Not saying they're bad... but I think my Toyota FJ might be as fast as a 1984 GTB I owned last year (38K miles & ran GREAT). For Ferrari's or Porsche's I guess I go for looks. I'm not a speed demon-guy... probably because there's a chance of injuring or killing someone else. I have a 2005 997 now which is VERY fast & handles UNBELIEVABLY. So I'd get my driving thrills from that car (even though it's not often). But I think the GTO kicks it's butt in the LOOKS department without a doubt.
Everybody does it they way the want & what works best for them, right?

I can't see (AT ALL) picking on someone who has a fancy looking car that doesn't go fast. They like their
car for their own special reasons. Maybe sitting in their garage at home (that you don't know about) is a
twin turbo 800HP Porsche that will tear your car to pieces in speed AND handling. ;o)
That's... why I ALWAYS respect another persons car & their choices.

 

Since Norwood is a site sponsor, anybody there know what happened to the chevy powered 288GTO? Would be fun to hear the story.

 

This is an age old discussion When I started modifying Ferrari's it was because what I wanted was not available or not possible to own Now after 1 246 GTS which was RHD swapped over to LHD and then back to RHD in 91 1 modified 246 with Stratos 2 valve engine A half a dozen 250 PF coupes 1 Daytona, 2 330 GT 2 plus 2 to 330 P4 style 2 308 GT4 to P4 style 49 with 288 GTO style bodywork, 8 of which had turbos with longitudinal engines and 2 had 348 engine and trans 9 308 GT 2 SCCA style racers with GTO style bodywork 3 Cars with Evolusion style body on 328's twin turboed with the engines longitudinal and lots of other Ferraris owned and loved
If you have a desire it can be accomplished
I'm placing 360 engines in two cars, both 328 GTS Along with the engine and trans the suspension front and rear is also being used and did I mention the wheelbase is also correct as well as the bodywork fitting the wheelbase The 288 GTO produced 400 hp twin turbo and the 360 produces 400hp aspirated Its a great power plant That's also why I'm using the 550 engines as well in new P4 style cars
It all comes down to personal desires
It is also all Ferrari powered on titled Ferraris
I know it is not for everyone and everyone doesn't do it but for those who have I think it is best that we respond to them with respect saying that if it was me I wouldn't do it but I respect your right to do it, it's your car
I'm not seeking your approval just voicing an objective and informed opinion
I have loved Ferrari's since I bought the 246 in 1983 and still drive them today
Regards
Jim Carpenter

 

Cars are supposed to be fun. If what you are doing is fun and makes you smile, then I have no problem with it - you are doing it right.

Now, if you do a replica/tribute and then lie and say it's real, well, then you probably live a pretty pathetic life outside of the microcosm of that particular misrepresentation.

 

Hi Rob
I would like to have more time to be on Ferrarichat but my time is spent working on Ferraris I value what you are doing but just don't have the time I am prompted to get on when I see issues that might require clarification I saw Nicks GTO recreation on Ebay and thought I would look to see if anyone had brought it up on Ferrarichat
My concern comes from a representation that putting a body on a car makes it a car We both know there is far more to it than that The body is the easy part In the ad it is stated that its ready for 360, 355 or Chevy I know 360 won't work, I'm doing 2 right now and know the amount of work required and it won't work in a stock wheelbase The issue is that someone will bite and think that its a minor issue in putting an engine in and putting brakes on and all of these issues should have been done first not last I'm coming from a basis that I have done it or am doing it, not I think this will work or this should work
We should be a group of enthusiast's devoted to our cars willing to help one another I realize the issue of recreations is somewhat contentious I also know that the chassis is still Ferrari and people have modified Ferrari's as well as every other car since the time cars were started
I know Rob that that was your desire when FChat was started and I think you have done a great job fostering that
Anyway that's my soap box
If you are ever in Scottsdale I would love to talk with you I am at your disposal if you ever would like
Thank you for letting me vent
Thank you again for what you do
Regards
Jim Carpenter