GTO's with aftermarket wheels, do any even exist?

I have only ever come across two 288 GTOs with aftermarket wheels (I'm sure there are others), the Swiss-registered car that was seen at the European 288 GTO Reunion in Spain, and the Japanese-registered car used as a display car for Neez Wheels there.

See below.

The fact that you almost never see GTOs with aftermarket wheels suggests a number of things IMHO: firstly, the cars are considered by their lucky owners to be too special to mess with. Secondly, considering number of them that are actually tracked, most consider their factory specification to be adequate. Clearly, the type of person who owns a GTO must be thinking "if I need more grip and more brake, its time for a GTO Evoluzione, an F40, or, better still, an F40 LM!".
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Hilariously enough, at the European 288 GTO Reunion in Spain (Circuit de Catalunya to be precise) in 2009, of all the half-a-dozen or so GTOs circulating around the track, there was only one car that spun out! You guessed it - the one with the aftermarket wheels!!
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Personally, I think the 288 GTO has the best wheels of all the Ferrari Supercars, stunning in finish, classically appointed center-bolts with bezel, traditional Ferrari design, a thing of automotive beauty.
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Modified.

 

A few years ago a friend of mine saw this well used example GTO at the 'ring. Apparently it wasn't exactly hanging about either. Plate was mostly burned because of the flames. lovely.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--2Q3_rW5buA/VA9riRPFQUI/AAAAAAAAABA/JmpcY17w53s/s1600/Ring2006Dia2235.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZlIk_EaqXk/VA9ro6sNlYI/AAAAAAAAABQ/fLcV9h0mxOo/s1600/Ring2006Dia2238.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M03XosBxOcE/VA9rojjP8jI/AAAAAAAAABM/9mOGIjosHpM/s1600/Ring2006Dia2236.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-REzeNFXRc8s/VA9rooxwmSI/AAAAAAAAABI/JZKKvqVP0Ww/s1600/Ring2006Dia2237.jpg


(pics are on my now new google blogger thingy, so I assume they'll stay!)

 

That car in the post above is a 308 based replica, proportions are off.

I'm no expert but that's what it looks like to me. The way the engine cover opens gives it away. On the 308/328 it is integrated with the buttress/wing structure. Not so on the GTO.

And the wheels are horrible IMO. All aftermarket wheels would look horrible on the GTO IMO...

 

and it has a 6sp... Great looking car though

 

He had his doubts too and spoke to the guy, who claimed it is a 288 GTO but heavily modified.

It does have a transverse gearbox it seems.

I'm not too educated on 288's unfortunately, so I'll let the experts decide!

 

REPLICA.

 

no doubt

 

With all due respect, a "replica" would be something that would take even a discerning eye a few moments to discover its authenticity. The car pictured in the links isn't even close. Perhaps "tribute" would be a slightly more accurate term?
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Yes I'd agree, the replica assignation was simply to assure the uninitiated that this car is not a real GTO. You are right, it simply has a few suggestive features of the real thing.

 

I completely agree Joe. The Speedline wheels on the GTO are a thing of beauty in detail and a perfect compliment to the car. Funny how Speedline also makes the wheels on another of my favourite cars, the Porsche 993RS.

 

Looks like a 355 engine/trans with twin turbos, probably worth a thread all it's own.

 

That fake GTO is actually pretty cool for a track toy.

 

And sadly the ones, that start to oxidise the most....

 

My experience has been that the oxidation is usually seen on F40 wheels.

 

A few years back we had a client purchase a set for his GTO - we'll dig through our archives for photos.

It seemed, at the time, in addition to the OEs, the traditional 5-spoke and mesh designs were most sought-after.

 

They also oxidise, yes.

But as firs owner of both cars and no solvent used to clean the wheels, the GTO has more problems.

BTW, its not the first set of rims, as they original set (still with the car) started to leak air on 3 rims shortly after delivery...