I can't help but mentally picture this each time I see a pic of the gt4. So, I finally got around to the 3 minute job: webding font, letter "n" - then washed out silver shades to achieve "desired" result. IMHO, it should have been done this way to begin with & somehow the Bertone's lines & intake are as complementary to the wheels as the wheels are to the body. If you could, would you put rollers like this on a 308gt4? This, of course, does not mean you'd toss the originals. Image Unavailable, Please Login
I voted that I'd roll with it. But they are looking better each time I look at the photo. Definately growing on me. Dom
Well they look OK. I don't think I'd put some on mine though. A set of 550 wheels look pretty good on a GT/4 to me. There was an article of some outfit who rebuilt a GT/4 and put a set on. I can't remember who it was though. I'm wondering how big of spacers they used and what other mods were done if any to get them to fit? I had the article but now I can't find it. Figures. Kurt There is nothing like a Ferrari, there never has been and never will be!
I guess the round holes act as a contrast to the straight lines of the Bertone design, but that's being generous. Don't think you can do much better than the five spoke Campognola as fitted to S2 cars. Just seems right to me. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Save the circle jerk jokes. Just something to consider while looking at pic. That the circular design "idea" I'm sharing is distantly rooted-in/connect-to the holes (what I perceive to be circles - though likely oval slots) on the linked photo-essays. It's not to make the "idea" "popular" - just giving the "compromise" perspective & perhaps someone will be able to fill the blanks of wheel history of Ferrari's road-going cars. Before Campagnolo Starburst alloys were intro'd (on 275 GTB/2 Shortnose, I think), there were Borrani wire wheels. Up to that time - Borrani wire wheels were standard. Great. I don't know if Campagnolo Starburst was continuous thereafter (aside from Borrani's Starbursts - as option or standard equipment) & wonder if our prediliction to the ever-evolving Starburst is ingrained into our psyches through familiarity since it was introduced. See, here's the thing - The Starburst may have gotten bumped momentarily on the 275GTB/4, 330 GTC and GTS which followed 275 GTB/2 Shortnose & several other 275's which usually had Borrani Wire Wheels fitted as standard. As I said, I'm uncertain. As always, I'm confused. Apparently, standard wheels varied from one model - even within numerical series - to another. One thing seems certain on the 365GT 2 +2 which preceded the 308GT4 as 4-seaters go - http://qv500.com/ferrari365gtp1.php "Borrani's cast-alloy ten-hole knock-off wheels were fitted as standard although wires from the same manufacturer were available as an expensive option." Some other pics of 10-hole wheels I'm describing: Top of page - http://qv500.com/ferrari275p4.php Bottom of page - http://qv500.com/ferrarigtcp1.php - at least from this vantage point, wheels, though of higher quality are not dissimilar to "modular" wheels which later flooded the marketplace, albeit cheaply made. The ol' imitation sincerest form of flattery trick. Just as we see 5-spokes (though not these 5 spokes) on many a non-Ferrari now. By this time, Borrani Wire wheels were no longer standard, but an option. Some models had Borrani 10-hole knock-offs, others had Campagnolo Starbursts. What I'm wondering is, IF Borrani cast-alloys had been adopted as the norm - (IF those are indeed circles insead of oval slots on the linked pic), obliterating the Campagnolo Starburst featured on the 275 - could the pic I posted have been standard equipment? It could have gone one way or the other - obviously, Starbursts have been a smashing success & look wonderful - as shown on the post above. Can't argue with success, but then as now, every model is different. By the same token, Borrani could have gotten the nod to where we'd be seeing circles instead of stars. Obviously, they didn't & I'm over it - but as mentioned, the "compromise" pic I've presented as a topic is a nod in Borrani's general direction for "what might have been."
Surprised no one has commented on the telephone dial lookalike that the old Countachs used to have. Don't care for the t-dial look on the GT4 for some reason, I prefer the 16" star mag. The original 14" chromodora's that came with mine make me barf but I keep them in the garage in case if I ever sell to buy a C/T. Image Unavailable, Please Login
One of the reasons you can argue that this "look" makes sense is the Lambo connection. Many Lamborghinis had wheels like this, and most Lambos (I think) were designed by Bertone....the GT4 has the angular shape typical of Lambo at that time, though not as extreme of course. So the "Lamborghini-like" wheels make a lot of sense. I think it looks pretty good. I don't think the 14" campys look good on anything these days. A very dated looking wheel with those big balloon looking tires! (No offense!) My GTB had them. I replaced with 16" wheels. Much better. Birdman
Don, That's funny, we both had the same thought at the same time! Telephone dials, yeah, now I remember they called them that! Birdman
Bingo - 1975gt4don & Birdman found the true "sacrilige" of the thread's premise... how dare one put Lamborghini shoes on! Those are the very shoes that made me think they'd be tasty on the gt4, with a nod to Borrani's 10-holers and Bertone's successful design, as the angular Countach was Bertone's. I suppose the wheels must have that profile on the Countach - otherwise - it'd have been overkill with angles - so, a softening blow was added and the rest is history. Bearing the success of the angular Countach in mind, do you think the angular 308gt4 might have been more "popular" at that time with wheels like those of the Countach?
I must admit, I'm a big fan of the Cromodura originals, and don't particularly like the Campagnolo 5 spokes. But I kind of like the design in the pic.
Dom...328 wheels look the best of all, I thought long and hard when changing from the origional Cromodora 14" mine came with. I've seen many posts here and on GT4 sites of 328 shod cars (esp. the Dutch yellow car), and you are right about the larger wheel/same design answer. Birdman said IHHO the high profile 70's balloon look dosn't appeal, which is a fair point however, the car was set up for this wheel/tyre combination and mine rides as well as the modern Audi I have. Elvis had Borranis on his GT4 though... but also lots of sequins on his work clothes... who's right.... all of us if we're happy with our lot!
I know it's been covered above but I think part of the reason that the 'phone dial wheel style is somewhat appealing is that it makes the GT4 look more like a sensible junior Countach...if you know what I mean. I guess it's a Bertone thing! You all continue to be so horrible about my original 14" Cromodoras that I am going to have to give in before too long and switch to 16" 328's or the replica QV's
I'll add to the Lambo references - I saw the Silhouette immediately. Having said that they look fine but I like either the bigger Ferrari star wheels or period BBS/Epsilon type wheels on the GT4 myself. Cheers Kevin
hey at least yours are all one color. the original dealer in CA colored all 5 of my 14 inch wheels to set thier dealership off from "all" the others, my spokes are blacked out . Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
That was apparently a popular thing to do in the late 70's into the 80's. My 78 308 GTS had the same thing, and it was one of the first things I corrected.
...ah wise man indeed. Those Cromodoras are a bu99er to clean aswell, you are now heading in the right direction!! Think of all the other F-cars with the Starburst designs: Daytona, 365GT4, 512BB etc. Good choice David.
I didn't mention the Lambo style thng since I figured it was intuitively obvious to the casual observer...
Dom, I agree. On a GTB, the QV wheels look better in my opinion. But on a GT4, the slightly more "angular" look of the 328 wheel is just the right thing. I didn't mean any offense to anyone with 14" wheels. They are the period correct wheel on the car, and with the right tires, I'm sure it rides well. However I find the look very dated, and a switch to 16" wheels opens up some much better options for modern, higher performing tires. The difference in cornering speeds on my GTB going to 16" wheels was nothing short of startling. With a chassis so spectacular as the GT4 has, it seems a waste to have such ancient technology tires on there that limit its performance so much. Unless I had a perfect concourse GT4 and needed the 14" wheels for originality, I would put 328 wheels on it and drive like a madman! Birdman
No and here's why: the Lambo Silhouette had them(tdials) and they were no where on the radar screens of most exotic car lovers. Silhouette, unless I am wrong here, was also designed by Bertone. Not much of a seller and didn't have the performance of the C/T to add misery to misery. I absolutely LOVE the tdials on the older C/T's. Someday I hope to own a carbed(only 35 made) QV or older C/T. You are right about the angles complementing the tdial wheels, the 5 star would have been sensory overload IMO. BTW, I did not intend any offense to anyone with the original 14" Chromodoras. This is simply my taste. IMO, the Chromos looked outdated even in 75 when I was looking at them back then, they just never fit the GT4 at all as well as being ridiculously difficult to clean. The stainless steel bolt covers were ridiculous and I prefer having the lug bolts showing, it gives the any car a more unrefined masculine look to it.
