Info on 308 Convertible Conversion?

First I have heard of them ... doesn't actually look too bad with the roof up, but I won't make any comments about it with the roof down ().

Pete

 

Saw one like on Ebay last year. It had a bad engine in it then. Maybe the same car?. Don't know who did the work.

Are you selling it?

 

Martin how does it drive? How many miles and what year is it?
Erik

 

Yes, I believe this is the same car out of KC last year, had a spun bearing or something.
I like it with the top down!!

 

Therse weren't factory issued, they were aftermarket conversions, the better ones (and most of them) were done by (I think) Straman (or Strawman). There are a few chopped TRs and 400s floating around also. I think another compay called Lorenz made a few also.

Phil

 

Really interesting..
How do you like it? How is top open and close? Any problems with water leak?
More pictures please....

 

I think you guys are right. This is the car that was listed around $17K last year that needed engine work. I would make sure that all of the work was done correctly and not just bandaided together. I think I remember the old add saying it wasn't Straman but another company.

 

308 convertible conversions were done by Lorentz & Rankl from, I believe, Switserland. There is a picture of a silver Lorentz & Rankl 308 published on this board several times, here is a red one from the "show your 308 thread" :
http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=134452474&postcount=190
I don't know why I find them ugly, maybe because it is unusual to see a full convertible 308, with a 348 or 355 we're familiar with a full convertible and it looks "factory", because it is.

 

I know you are from down under, but didn't you mean too bad with the roof down? Because it looks bad with the roof UP. Or is UP down there when the roof is in the position were you can't see it, as in "open top"? Or you're taste is different, however, since you have an Alfa GT and raced a Sud you're taste is like mine, cause I had a 105 Spider and still race my Sud everyday (to job or for fun).

 

I was reading that thread and thought the same thing. The car looks like it has a toupe when the roof is up. Really bad hair piece! With the top down...not bad. Have to see in person. Thought the guy just had it backwards or maybe he had it right and we just read it wrong...well you know what I mean.

 

We've been asked to refrain from opinion on its looks guys, so leave that out of your posts.

Technically, I'd make sure it's based on a GTS and not a GTB. GTS have stronger sill rails and various other chassis stiffenings which are hard to replicate if this convertible was from a crashed GTB etc...

What's the Chassis number, and can anyone then confirm whether it was a GTS or GTB when new.

I'm intrigued to see how the bonnet hinges and access to the front bank of cylinders is...more photos please......

 

car is a lorenz. 100%. no questions here.
martin,sent you an email regarding "........", can you find out what mr. h'sintentions are? mayb he car at least reply..... i can put you in the phone with the guy who cut the car...he is in switzerland...i know of another car i can buy ....same car....lorenz for sure...worth more overseas since people like lorenz there..lorenz is a respected ferrari fellow,car is not hurt by the cut that much.

 

Here are some pics of another 308 chop.Not sure it's to the same standard as Martin's car tho'. There is also a 308 convertible for sale through UK FOC . A pic is below.
http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23890&highlight=308+spider
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Different car Tony. Martin's is a US spec and I think the shape around the head rests is a little different.

 

I looked at the VIN, and it is originally a US spec 1980 308 GTSi. Chassis #33181.

Attached is a pic of the bonnet open. Access to the engine looks better than a standard version since the rear glass and rear sail panels are gone. I'm sure Martin will post some more detailed pics when he puts the car up for sale.
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I have read that a proposal was floated to Enzo at the end of the 308 series to give a limited edition 'send off' version as a full convertible like this.....

Rasmussen "Ferraris for the Road" 'survivors' series??? cannot recall......

Supposedly ONE prototype was made to illustrate the point.....Enzo said "No" and that was it!

 

Too bad some headrest fairings/roll bars ala 360 Spider couldn't be incorporated. I think it would give it an "as planned" (factory) look.

 

Not to mention that if this 308 had it's top incorporate at least some kind of flying buttress like the 360's top, it would've been perfect (top up that is).

Top down/off, this car looks great! The 308 does make a real great Spider.

 

I had heard that it was based on the 328, as it was the last of the original transverse V-8 layouts (that originated back to the Dino 206, as the newcomer 348 was an entirely different car) and it was Scaglietti's idea to build around 25-50 of them as a send off to that model.

True, Enzo said no and only the one was built (which Scaglietti kept).

 

Can any one help me in determining the value of a 308 gtsi chopped to a convertible? The owner says it was done in germany by a authorized ferrari dealer at the time when it was brand new. The dealer was Gunther Artz and supposedly very well known at the time. This car is painted white with white leather seats and also has white rims.
Can anyone help me on this as I want to purchase this vehicle. Oh, the owner also states 17,000 original miles, second owner that is; has had it for ten years.
What should I look for as well.
Thanks, Enzo