US 308 GT4 Bumper "conversion" | FerrariChat

US 308 GT4 Bumper "conversion"

Discussion in '308/328' started by 6S166, Aug 1, 2010.

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  1. 6S166

    6S166 Rookie

    Jun 3, 2010
    42
    Austin, TX
    Full Name:
    Ben Schotz
    Anyone know of anything already available out there to reduce the weight of my US version 308 GT4 bumpers? Any hope of finding Euro bumpers at a reasonable price?
    Thanks,
    Ben Schotz
    Austin, TX
    '75 GT4 10568
     
  2. jimshadow

    jimshadow F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Feb 19, 2006
    6,239
    Indiana/North Carolina
    Full Name:
    JIM
    Even if you were to find Euro bumpers, you would have to do a fair amount of metal work to make them fit. Make sure you know what you are getting into there. Try Superformance http://www.superformance.co.uk/a-308/fittings.htm
    They sell a fibreglass remake.....

    JIM
    '74 GT4 #08140
     
  3. 6S166

    6S166 Rookie

    Jun 3, 2010
    42
    Austin, TX
    Full Name:
    Ben Schotz
    Thanks, Jim.
     
  4. Strictly Ferrari

    Strictly Ferrari Formula Junior
    BANNED

    Nov 29, 2004
    637
    3045 Davis Blvd.
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    Naples Classic Car
    #4 Strictly Ferrari, Aug 4, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  5. Strictly Ferrari

    Strictly Ferrari Formula Junior
    BANNED

    Nov 29, 2004
    637
    3045 Davis Blvd.
    Full Name:
    Naples Classic Car
    #5 Strictly Ferrari, Aug 4, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  6. veet

    veet Karting

    Nov 4, 2010
    96
    Sudbury ON
    Full Name:
    Vito L
    what is the cost of that rear panel?
     
  7. DavidDriver

    DavidDriver F1 Rookie

    May 9, 2006
    4,424
    Grass Valley, CA
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    David Driver
    #7 DavidDriver, Jan 1, 2011
    Last edited: Jan 1, 2011
  8. veet

    veet Karting

    Nov 4, 2010
    96
    Sudbury ON
    Full Name:
    Vito L
    I guess if someone has to paint his car this would be an option prior to paintwork.Perhaps better off to start with a euro spec car. Has anyone on f-chat converted to euro bumpers?
     
  9. DavidDriver

    DavidDriver F1 Rookie

    May 9, 2006
    4,424
    Grass Valley, CA
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    David Driver
    If you use the search function, you can find almost anything you want here. There is at least one thread on this topic and probably a couple.
     
  10. veet

    veet Karting

    Nov 4, 2010
    96
    Sudbury ON
    Full Name:
    Vito L
    i have , thanks
     
  11. jimshadow

    jimshadow F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Feb 19, 2006
    6,239
    Indiana/North Carolina
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    JIM
    Strictly Ferrari has. As he pointed out above it requires new metal in the rear to do it right. In addition, you will have to add and modify metal in the front of the car. It can be done, but it's quite involved to do it correctly.

    Jim
     
  12. DavidDriver

    DavidDriver F1 Rookie

    May 9, 2006
    4,424
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    David Driver
    #12 DavidDriver, Jan 1, 2011
    Last edited: Jan 1, 2011
    It also makes your car something "other" than what it originally was, when there are plenty of other examples that really are that "other" thing to begin with, and without having to be be modified to become something they are not.

    Not that it will matter in the next year or two, but somewhere down the line you may find that it would have been better to keep a U.S. spec car a little more original. Because it will always be a source of "????".
     
  13. jimshadow

    jimshadow F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Feb 19, 2006
    6,239
    Indiana/North Carolina
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    JIM
    #13 jimshadow, Jan 1, 2011
    Last edited: Jan 1, 2011
    This is always the debate. Early on, I backed out on a perfect '79 GT4 because I did not want to have to maintain it to "Concours Standards". I then found the best '74 that I could and have made it "my own" Ferrari. Electronic ignition for road trips and reliabilty, QA-1's for comfort/performance, etc..... I did this because I took the time to understand what my intentions were with the car and what I was going to do with it.

    Bottom line, know what your goal is for the car (mine is to drive the hell out of it!) and go with it. I went for "perfection" and quickly realized that I was not the "Concours" type of owner, so I switched gears and went for a perfect driver. I have no regrets after 25,000 miles/3 years!

    JIM
     
  14. johng

    johng Formula 3

    Oct 23, 2004
    2,298
    northern va
    Full Name:
    john g
    i agree with JIM. another option, possibly, if you want to retain factory cred, is to send the car back to the factory to their Classiche shop, and have them do the conversion. really expensive, but then you have a factory car, no different than stuff that went on decades ago.
     
  15. DavidDriver

    DavidDriver F1 Rookie

    May 9, 2006
    4,424
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    David Driver
    +1

    Mine has a Series II front grill, which I prefer. Right now, is the time I should change that, if I'm ever going to - since it's down to bare-metal. But I'm not. I also don't have the tools, or jack or complete records. My car is not a show car. It's..... a Driver :p [SIC]

    So why bother?

    I'm also going electronic ignition, but a little different setup that probably anybody here on FChat has, except for the person who makes it. It's very simple and involves removing the points, installing an electronic plate with a special fitting over the cam. You still use the distributors, but the internals are all electronic. No drilling things into the cam covers, no special pulley, and no separate coils to setup. It all "looks" original, but it's not. And if you want to convert back to original, if you have a concourse car, this is the only logical setup to get - since you can easily switch back-and-forth. It's a very simple but reliable setup, and I believe this same setup is used on the V-12's.
     
  16. DavidDriver

    DavidDriver F1 Rookie

    May 9, 2006
    4,424
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    David Driver
    #16 DavidDriver, Jan 1, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017

    OMG! I found him!

    :p
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  17. guygowrie

    guygowrie Formula 3

    Sep 19, 2011
    1,400
    ct
    Full Name:
    guy s
    does anyone make, or has anyone made, fibreglass bumpers in the same mould as the current rubber ship fenders?

    I dont want to do a US-Euro conversion, but replacing those bumpers would be probably be the cheapest 'weight saving where it counts' upgrade one could make on a GT4, by reducing a lot of weight at the far ends of the car.

    Any experience/suggestions/examples?
     
  18. Fave

    Fave F1 Rookie

    Aug 12, 2010
    4,157
    Tarana
    Full Name:
    L. Ike Hunt
    I've only seen euro style fiberglass replacements. One guy on ebay UK and one of the members here from Florida.
    The only other is the rubber replacements for euro bumpers from Mr.Fiat
    AFAIK
     
  19. jkedino

    jkedino Karting

    Nov 28, 2007
    59
    Finland
    I am also interested about fiberglass US bumpers. I think the conversion also needs the covering panels in the ends. I was seriously thinking of the euro conversion, but ended up to maintain the origanility of the car. I have learned my self to like the ugly bumpers. I could start making fiberglass us ones, if there is not enybodey making them already.

    Juha
     
  20. Playframe King

    Playframe King Formula Junior

    Jan 31, 2010
    320
    UK
    #20 Playframe King, Apr 26, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I have Euro bumper (without rubber) mould
    front and rear pictured on this car

    Also have a full set of body moulds for euro 308 GT4 - strictlyferrari - you should buy them !! - make your own panels and make your customers lightweigh Eurospec GT4's (obviously wont pass Classiche though........)

    Its not difficult to mould components if you have an original US bumper
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  21. guygowrie

    guygowrie Formula 3

    Sep 19, 2011
    1,400
    ct
    Full Name:
    guy s
    Thanks Playframe K., but I will stick with the original bumpers like KJEDino (like him I am also getting used to their looks). I might have to see if a boat shop can knock me out some over winter, I guess they could have the gel coat coloured too. That and push them in a bit. Definitely a job for a cold winter!
     

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