Fischer Motorsports 288gto conversion?

Nice to see them taking apart the car on www.288gto.com

I am not so sure if I would have started with a burnt out car. The frame may have been compromised.

I haven't been able to find much constructive, but am looking forward to more, as I am certainly considering a similar project.

 

This guy used to work with (he still may, I don't know) Bob Norwood. Bob had a set of GTO molds pulled from a real GTO and I would venture to say that "Fish" used these molds, along with tutelage from Bob, to work on this project. Bob has an extremely indepth knowledge of 288 GTOs and knows exactly what it takes to make a superb rebodied car.

If my car ever gets whacked in the back side (I hope it doesn't), I might opt for the GTO upgrade with turbo 348 motor.

 

I love to see these 3x8 "part" cars come back to life with difference faces. Here's a Japanese 308 with GTO conversion and 355 engine. Scroll the page and see the pictures:

http://www.tubistylejapan.com/FCTEVENT2004.043.htm

 

Nice find!

That is exactly what I'd like to do.

 

awesome video! thanks for the link

 

Yes, loved the video and the music.

 

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=138017644&postcount=12

 

Lots of threads on 288 conversions, but few have been done with the engine in the right direction and the correct wheelbase.
If you build one, do it right and make sure it has the power to back it all up. There are more modern power-plants that fit in the space and will do the job, and I'm sure one could build a nice 308 up with twin turbos as well and change the direction it points at.

 

Actually, I feel the exact same way, but if you really want to fool someone, it will be difficult if they know a real 288. The longitudinal engine (which accounts for the wheelbase being about 5 inches longer than a 308) causes the motor to be visible from the bottom rear and if you don't see it, you can tell a mile away it's not an original 288. Up close, the real 288 isn't smooth like a 308 finish. It has that early handbuilt glas-look to it, with some ripples. There are too many dead give-aways other than just the correct shape of the car. The interior is an amazingly modern piece of art, and it is very well done (better than the 308) with extensive stitched leather, additional guages and interior door badges. Still, I appreciate mostly all of the conversions.

 

It would certainly not be my intention to fool anyone. The motivation stems from the improvements in looks of the 288, to me the ideal and perfect evolution of the original shape, and the superiority of the mechanical lay-out, and, of course, the power increase that came with it.
Building a 100% clone is not the idea. With a 355 drive-train in the back, you'd still see the gearbox from behind, but it's a different gearbox. It is just too tempting that with proper Ferrari components one can come very close to what is, to many, the best 'modern era' car to stem from Maranello. Never the real thing, but close in performance and close in looks. No need to destroy a good car either, a derelict 308GTB, a front smash 355 and a stack of new panels. Okay, it'll be a little more involved than that, but you get the general idea.

I'd love to see more detailed info on the Japanese car. If anyone possesses more or can steer me in the direction of info, I'd much appreciate it.

 

Steven: how about doing one of these conversions on your new 308?? the 390 hp of a 355 should make it an interesting track car!!

 

Hans,

Why only a track car? Do you think that the Rijksdienst voor Wegverkeer would have a problem issueing plates on one?

Jack (recalcitrant Dutchman in Cape Town)

 

surely interesting thought, however i do think a gto conversion like this will always give the car a sense of kitcar-issem.
The planned Michelloto's gr4 replica will be more historically proportioned compared to a(ny) GTO conversion i guess.

Using a 355 engine will be nice option for a GTO-alike iguess, giving it almost the correct power ( it's done before, I've seen it before here on ferrarichat)

I will stick to the carbs this time.
(as a child of the K-jetronic generation this actually will be my FIRST carbed car...)


About the rijksdienst voor het wegverkeer Jack. It could be a problem but it can be done nowadays, even in The Netherlands

 

any updates to this thread?

 

2 currrent Ebay ads I just came across. A turnkey for $75K and a body kit for $13K:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1980-FERRARI-308-GTSi-288-GTO-Body-Conversion-/140417401215?cmd=ViewItem&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ferrari-288-GTO-Style-Body-Components-for-308-or-328_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ300303564926QQsspagenameZRSSQ3aBQ3aSRCHQ3aUSQ3a105

I also found this in a current search... http://www.berlinettamotorcars.com/ferrari288GTOconversionkit.htm

 

about the second ad. That's not for me as I don't have a "boring" 308 ( I wonder who does..)

 

My 308 is definitely not boring either

 

The turnkey car is a targa, so you won't fool anyone into thinking it's a real GTO.
Also it's only as fast as a fresh 308 with that motor.
I'm sure it's a clean car.

 

that time lapse video is so cool. what a letdown when it stops at a bare frame. Is there another one somewhere else that shows the rest?

 

I agree, the 288 is the sweetest looking Ferrari, so buy one! Of course, I can't afford one, but I can afford a 308GTBi, which is also an extremely sweet looking Ferrari. I won't modify it to look like something I can't afford and in the process, make the beautiful 308 look like a kit car. That sums up my opinion on the matter. Hey it's only my opinion, but I seem happy to share it! Everyone should do whatever they want to do to their own car.