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More "Factory" 16" Wheel Questions

Discussion in '308/328' started by Tarik, Apr 27, 2014.

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  1. Tarik

    Tarik Formula Junior

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    #1 Tarik, Apr 27, 2014
    First of all, sorry for asking all of these questions... I do know how to use the "search" functions, but I keep finding a lot of vague and seemingly contradictory info about "real" 16" wheels. I'm on the verge of a purchase, but since it's a "non-insignificant" amount of money, I want to make sure that I understand everything properly. Here are my questions:

    1. I'm under the impression that three manufacturers made OEM 16" 308 wheels over the course of several years: Speedline, Cromodora and Campagnolo. Correct?

    2. Was there only one manufacturer per year, or did two or three of the above supply wheels at the same time?

    3. I believe that regardless of year/manufacturer, all of the 16" OEM wheels made during the 308's tenure where made of a "light alloy" containing a decent amount of magnesium. Another words, there was never an OEM aluminum 16" 308 wheel, standard or optional. Is this true?

    4. Was there an optional 16" wheel prior to the introduction of the QV? If so, was it a different wheel from the "QV" 16" wheel?

    5. The Speedline wheels did not have raised "Ferrari" lettering on the outerside, but the others did... Is this correct?

    6. All of them will say something to the effect of "Lego en Magnesio" somewhere on the back?

    7. I've weighed aluminum 328 wheels, and they come up about 21.5/23.5 lbs (F/R)... If I weigh a supposedly magnesium wheel, I will see a noticeably lower weight. Approximately...?

    8. In pictures, it sometimes appears that the magnesium wheels are a shade darker than the metric wheels (but not always)... Is this an illusion, or were there some years where they were painted a different shade?

    I would really appreciate any "factual" answers, but not "guesses..." I've spent several nights searching, and have found a lot of info that is not always consistent. I won't see these wheels until next week, but I want to be armed with the right information.

    Thanks a million for any help!!!

    -Tarik
     
  2. Crowndog

    Crowndog F1 Veteran

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    #2 Crowndog, Apr 27, 2014
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    Hope this helps and I don't get in trouble.
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  3. George Vosburgh

    George Vosburgh F1 Rookie
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    #3 George Vosburgh, Apr 27, 2014
    Crowndog gave you the page out of Bluemel's book which, if you don't have, will answer a lot of questions.
    All of your observations are correct to my knowledge, but I'm no expert.
     
  4. Tarik

    Tarik Formula Junior

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    #4 Tarik, Apr 27, 2014
    Thank you, Crowndog! Is this page from the Keith Bluemel book? I guess this answers my questions #4 and #8. Bluemel seems to say that the darker finished wheels were the optional wheel for early QVs.
     
  5. Tarik

    Tarik Formula Junior

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    #5 Tarik, Apr 27, 2014
    Thanks George, I must have been typing at the same time as you...
     
  6. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #6 tazandjan, Apr 27, 2014
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  7. GordonC

    GordonC F1 Rookie
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    #7 GordonC, Apr 27, 2014
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  8. singletrack

    singletrack F1 Veteran

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    #8 singletrack, Apr 27, 2014
    Thanks Taz - never seen that! You wouldn't happen to have a pic of the center console without the "refrigeration" (this is A/C right?) option would you? : )

    I've removed my A/C, but wonder what the Euro cars looked like without it - was it just flat without the plate and control?
     
  9. Tarik

    Tarik Formula Junior

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    #9 Tarik, Apr 27, 2014
    Fascinating! I never knew this option existed on carbed cars when they were new.
     
  10. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #10 tazandjan, Apr 27, 2014
    ST- Let me look, but I do not think I do.

    No, just exterior shots. She was originally sold in Germany, and I picked her up there and drove her to England.

    The only difference from ones with A/C is that the underdash vents were not there and the panel with the fan and compressor control were not there. At that time (1981-83), Ferrari sold a factory kit for the AC that only ran about $1000 in Europe in the 80s. I priced one out at Maranello Concessionaires, but never fitted it because it was really not needed in the UK. I sold her to Steve Forristal before returning to the US in 1983. How anyone drove her in Houston without AC is beyond me. Saw her later with the front spoiler replaced because it was destroyed coming off the boat.
     
  11. bentrm

    bentrm Formula Junior

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    #11 bentrm, Apr 27, 2014
  12. singletrack

    singletrack F1 Veteran

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    #12 singletrack, Apr 27, 2014
    Thanks man - that is very helpful!
     
  13. Brian A

    Brian A F1 Rookie

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    #13 Brian A, Apr 27, 2014
    I have the factory optional 16 inch Cromodora magnesium wheels on my '83, but do not have a driver's side window sticker. Did the window stickers change for optional wheels or were all the stickers for the TRX wheels?
     
  14. Crowndog

    Crowndog F1 Veteran

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    #14 Crowndog, Apr 27, 2014

    That's pretty cool info. Again not fair the Euro market got/gets all the good stuff.


    When all else fails read the damn manual. - wife
     
  15. GordonC

    GordonC F1 Rookie
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    #15 GordonC, Apr 27, 2014
    My 84 Euro QV's window sticker lists the 16" staggered sizes and Pirelli P7 as the tire.
     
  16. Thomas Magnum

    Thomas Magnum F1 Veteran

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    #16 Thomas Magnum, Apr 27, 2014

    Same on my 85 Euro

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  17. st@ven

    st@ven F1 Rookie

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    #17 st@ven, Apr 28, 2014
  18. 360C

    360C F1 World Champ
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    #18 360C, Apr 29, 2014
    The 16" wheels first appeared as a hideously expensive and rare option right from the start of the 308 GTB's in 1976.

    When I was first informed I didn't believe that they appeared so early in production. Then I was shown an example with date casting of 1976 and they also appear in the 1976 parts book. No doubt about it then :)

    From memory they cost something like $4k in 1976, so very little uptake of the option as a result and it makes them a rare find today.
     
  19. Toonfosi

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    #19 Toonfosi, Apr 29, 2014
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  20. shmark

    shmark F1 Rookie

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    #20 shmark, Apr 29, 2014
    The wheels on my 85 euro are original and don't have the raised Ferrari lettering. I'll have them off shortly and will take a look at the backside.
     
  21. HotShoe

    HotShoe F1 Veteran
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    #21 HotShoe, Apr 29, 2014
    I have an '83 with 16"s that have the same rear markings. No front markings. I did the vinegar test to be sure and they are definitely magnesium.

    Gets tempting to sell them given the current market price.
     
  22. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

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    #22 greyboxer, Apr 29, 2014
    Shmark : its been posted before but the raised lettering I seem to recall is on earlier wheels ie I think those shown in post 7 pre-date the car (but I cannot read their year code)
     
  23. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #23 BigTex, Apr 29, 2014
    Only one, of the three makers has cast lettering.
     
  24. Thomas Magnum

    Thomas Magnum F1 Veteran

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    #24 Thomas Magnum, Apr 29, 2014
    My 85 Euro GTS has the raised Ferrari lettering and wheel size on the outside. I've seen shmark's 85 GTB, which doesn't, and we were both wondering why the difference. I guess like Big Tex said, different manufacturers.
     
  25. Tarik

    Tarik Formula Junior

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    #25 Tarik, Apr 30, 2014
    Thanks for the pictures, Chad. I believe the "SL" number indicates these as Speedlines. Thanks again for the info!
     

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