Has anyone ever converted their GTS full louvered rear 1/4 windows to GTB style?

See http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=139551335&postcount=17 and http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=86252&highlight=gts%2Fb

 

Yes. I have, I like the GTB look. I have a black 308, the black top blends in more. One day I may sand the top smooth and paint it.
Charles

 

Suggest you check the price of a replacement first before you do

 

It is not that much money actually.

I had mine done by a shop in AL. I sent them the original louvres and they changed them. Don't remember off hand, but it wasn't that much.

Aside from what I consider a much cleaner and less cheezy look, it also does help with rear view when passing or getting back in line.

I used the same shop Mike C used (see the threads listed by Tillman). If you need the shop's address, send me a PM.

 

Right. I remember when Mike first posted his GTS/B conversion. I was impressed by the result and the fact that he used extra parts salvaged from another car to carry out the conversion making it an entirely reversible affair.

Barry


ps... I was equally impressed with Mike's Charness Harness and had one made up for me to mount a Halon extinguisher in front of the passenger seat in my GTB. I was also impressed with his helmet painting skills and commissioned him to create a Jackie Stewart replica helmet out of my old Bell Magnum II helmet several years ago.

Talented guy that Mike Charness!
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+1

He painted my Michael Schumacher and my Kimi Raikkoenen (see avatar) helmets, which I use for track events.

 

I would absolutely recommend this, if an owner has decided to cut up his car. The 308s are still in the 'old used car' category now, but in coming years there will be a growing appreciation for originality.

FWIW, I would not buy a cut-up/painted-top GTS except at a significant discount. Ditto a car with the painted 308 bumpers.

As a reference point: I'm living in the vintage sports car world now, where the rule seems to be that whatever guys were tossing out back when the cars were new is now the "most desired" list in terms of parts. E.g., original Porsche 356A steering wheels which were often swapped for wood rim items. A restorer recently told me there are no new ones, and if a factory original showed up it might be a $20,000 item to the right buyer. Ditto original deco trim. And, as in the vintage Ferrari world, there are legions of fanatics writing books about how to tell the original item from the repro.

Not saying there won't always be a stock of Ferrari louvres and tops, but I would really think twice before taking a hacksaw and sander to them.

 

Yes, the gold wheels look very period and suit the car well.

 

Andreas,

Somehow I figured he painted that helmet you have as your avatar. He's really amazing.

Barry

 

Thanks, Steve. That's also a reversible affair. The original 14" wheels and Michelin XWXs are safely stored away. I have Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3s mounted on those 16" Superformance wheels for track use. That's my way of saluting the racing Ferraris of the 60s and 70s.

Barry
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+10^(10^(100))

 

Hmmm....this thread has me thinking.

Has anyone painted those side louvers on a GTS to match the body color? I wonder what that will look like?

 

IIRC, there's a white Konig (sp?) with white louvers.

 

Koenig
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Here's mine. I did it to a spare set of louvers and top...so I can go back to stock. Years ago, I traded a set of California mirrors for the louvers and I bought another top for like $150.
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Hey Chris,

IMHO, I don't think that would look too good, but if you like it, go for it.

 

Hi Henry,

I have to get a Photoshop of my car to see what it will REALLY look like painted red.

As you can see, l have a lot of time doing nothing while I wait for my block to be completed.


As always, beautiful shot of your 308.

 

Here is a picture of how the louvres look on my car.

The louvres, I'm talking about the louvres. Hello! Helloo, what is everybody looking at?
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Huh.........what?.......legs.......short shorts......what are we talking about??

 

All kidding aside, she was the nicest girl willing to go along and humor me as a model for my 308. This was at FCA National concours in Indy (my car was display only) and there were lots of prettier and more important/valuable cars than mine. But she was willing to pose anyway.

 

Obviously she was trying to sell you tires.

 

Ah, that's what it was. I knew somewhere in that deal there was a rubber involved...