Almost still a Ferrari

So what is people's thoughts on this model? Is this close to looks of the real thing?

 

The exterior is spot on, the interior is stock 308. So a good base to get started and recreate a more original interior look.

Why? Well, you end up with something that is a real Ferrari and - if done right - drives every bit as well as the real GTO and looks the part for a third of the money.

 

From my experience, I seriously doubt that Norwood had anything to do with this "288" beyond regular service of the 308 base. When Bob did a 288, it was as close to a factory 288 as you could get, utilizing factory 288 panels over a correctly stretched and reinforced frame. Some later cars may have had locally-made panels from splashed originals, but the basics remained the same.
I was around for the start of the first one, and saw this first-hand. James will likely add some comment to this, and my supposition on the subject "288" in the advert.

As for that "Norwood 288":
Note that the engine in this one is still transverse - NOT something minor, nor something that wasn't addressed in Bob's pieces. The wheelbase isn't sretched, either, see previous.
The closest one of his 288s came to being "off-correct" was the Bonneville car, which eventually traded the turbo-F motor for an aluminum big block Chevy backed by a Laycock (IIRC) transaxle. The Ferrari motor, even with higher boost and tuning, couldn't match the big cubes when it came to what was needed for a Bonneville run.

That one is considerably misrepresented, intentionally or not, by either the seller or the dealer.

 

Fake GTO and real GTO. Big difference.
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Ruined a nice 308.

 

Indeed!
I personally have never understood the need to take a Ferrari and make it into another Ferrari. Agree with Jon, why ruin a beautiful 308? It could have been souped up to the hilt with what went into the 'conversion'.

 

Found a page on Bob's original website (He has a website?!?!?!?! Wow.) about that first 288, and its graduation into BB Chevy power. Needed to jog the ol' memory....
http://www.bobnorwood.com/5-liter%20288%20Power.htm

No detail pics but you can see a little bit of what I'm referring to in the pics, but what was under that skin was just as important. BTW, the powerplant was later bumped from the 5.0 CanAm motor to a twin-turbo 8.2, which got ugly when testing the aerodynamics at Bonneville. 268 mph is good, but not so good at 200 - backwards. Wish I'd been around for that.

He's the kind of maniac we should all have for a boss at least once in our lives.

http://www.bobnorwood.com

 

I wonder if the spare tire is missing.

 

that´s it. end of this mater.

rear wheel and tire offset give the game away WAY too easy...

 

x2!!

 

Cars like this really crank me the wrong way. They can only serve to confuse and mislead people. There is a WORLD of difference between a 308 and a 288GTO. Anyone watching and hearing this car drive off and thinking they have seen and heard a 288GTO has been done a terrible disservice. Cars like this can only detract from the image of the car being emulated and...in my opinion....label the owner as a poser.

 

Funny you say these things Daryl, given what is in your garage.

And: Have you ever heard a 288GTO drive off? It is actually very whimpy. A 308 with a tubi sounds a lot better. At least until the turbos have spooled up and the car starts to soar. But driving away from stand still they actually sound very whimpy with a high pitched whirr.

Also if given the proper upgrades a 308 can drive every bit as fast as a GTO if not faster. Just add turbos, enlarge the engine or add a blower. 350 hp is not unrealistic.

While there are differences with the gearbox, they aren't as big. What you compare is a light tele angle shot with a wide angle. And the changes in the body work can be added.

What the rebody GTO doesn't have are the additional cooling louvres over the luggage compartment for obvious reasons.

People have different tastes obviously, but IMHO they didn't ruin a 308 but upgraded one big time. A good start has been made, now continue working on the interior and the engine and suspension.

PS: I always wanted to do this with my own 308, but it takes an awful lot of $$$ if you don't do the conversion yourself. But if you find a nice example like this where you can build upon, then it makes a lot of sense.

 

The GTO has a longitudinal engine and the 308 is transverse. The GTO is also longer in the wheelbase to accommodate the longitudinal setup.

The car in question here is not in any way close to a real GTO, with the possible exception of a few badges. As a body kit on a 308, it ain't that bad.....

 

And a RED one, too, LOL.....(sorry Bullfighter)

 

I'd go $25k for it.

 

If I wouldn't already own a 308 I would give $ 45k for it and laugh all the way to the bank:

308 = 35k
Kit = 10k
labor = 20k
repaint = 10k

 

I miss the point of that exercise entirely. 308's are great looking cars on their own. I can't concieve of going down to the garage and thinking to myself "I wish this looked like a GTO". I can see going down to the garage and wishing I had a GTO however.

Tom

 

Which is why silicone implants are so unpopular...

 

x 3.

Oh well, that's ONE...less pristine 308 out there.

 

Same reason you tried to sell your Boxer for a hundred grand over market - sometimes people do the things they want no matter how crazy it seems to everyone else.

 

Well not to worry, it already sold for $40k. I thought that it was a good price and that was with the major being done. I saw it to late to act on it.

 

Really? Do you know that? Perhaps this 308 was in such bad shape that it needed all of the panels replaced for some reason. Perhaps it was totalled and doing these panels made more financial (and perhaps asthetic for the owner) sense. Perhaps this car would have never seen the road again if it weren't for the fake GTO panels. As someone who wants cheap parts at Ferrari Parts Exchange you might prefer that it is parted, but when it comes time to buy new parts, you want as many of these cars on the road as possible. I want it on the road because when I'm driving about I'd much rather see a 308 on the road - even this one - then another Camry.

Do you really know that a perfectly good 308 was ruined, or is the donor car a shining concours winner in you imaginantion because it has been modified?