Do you remember Magnum PI? Wasn't he the coolest dude on TV at the
time? It certainly was for many of us who grew up during the airing of the show.
I wonder how much influence the show had on sales and value on all the
308's. I still think it's one of the best looking models Ferrari ever
built (has the TV show influenced me? Nah...)
Now, if you thought that the 1984 GTSi was awesome, check this euro-mod
out, definitely not a common sight in the US. We are excited to have it
as another one of our unique member rides that is owned by Gustavo Velasco
who appreciates the fine cars.
Koenig was one of the favorite German tuners who was a true innovator
in body mods for exotic cars. Mid engine cars handle great by nature and
Koenig by widening the quarter panels allowed for much wider rear tires
improving the handling even more. To increase the down force, a rear
wing was installed, this one makes a statement on the car and was a
common trade mark for Koenig. Can you imagine what kind of G forces it
could pull on race tires? Maybe we can talk Gustavo into letting us test
it t some point.
To keep the car going fast on a straight line, a front air dam was also
part of the body modification. Although after several run-ins with
driveways, Gustavo decided to remove it and only install it as needed
for track days.
I would like to think that Koenig used the autobahn as a test track
and must have felt the need
to make the Ferrari cut through the air as effortless as possible. The
traditional Vitaloni exterior mirrors which were large and may create
some wind resistance were replaced with smaller
and more efficient ones.
15" gold mesh wheels were also commonly seen with these conversions but
were soon replaced with lighter more modern 3 pc
spoke 17" wheel. They make this 308 look like a GTO, dont you think?
Willy Koenig
started independent tuning operations in 1974 with the first
Ferrari 365 BB supplied to Germany.
This was followed by tuning on a large number of Ferrari models, and
then on vehicles from other exclusive makes, such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW,
Lamborghini, Jaguar, and Porsche, among others.
Racing was the key to the KOENIG SPECIALS tuning concept.
It was in 1961 that Willy König acquired a Cooper from
Graf Berghe von Trips for Junior Formula Racing.
In 1962, Willy König was German Mountain Champion in a Ferrari
Berlinetta, and was invited by Enzo Ferrari personally to an event
held in his honour in Maranello.
Willy König drove many legendary racing cars, including the Ferrari
275 GTB Competitions, Ford GT 40, Lola T 70, Abarth, Lotus, and many
more besides.
From 1987 to 1990, Willy König drove in the BMW M 1
Procar, the Porsche 962 C1, the Porsche 935 K 3-Le Mans
and in 1990 he was German STT-Champion with the 935 K3.
Motor racing activities over more than 30 years of Willy König,
continued by his son Walter König, allowed for the experience
gained from racing to be introduced into the production of sportscars
and exclusively tuned vehicles, as well as establishing the intimate
links with the professional racing teams, engineers, designers, and
development and manufacturing companies.
Right from the start, the philosophy of KOENIG-SPECIALS has been to
built the ultimate in sportscars for the road, a synthesis of
aerodynamics and design, with individual sporty or exclusive interior
fittings and optimum driving characteristics, thanks to improved
chassis, racing brakes, wide rims and tyres, sports exhaust systems,
engine performance values, and, at the customer's request, with turbo,
supercharger, or high-performance engines.
The overall range of performance includes the tuning and conversion of
vehicles, and the supply of technical components, body parts, and
conversion-kits.
Based on the 8-cylinder Ferrari model, turbo engines of 295kW/400h.p.
to 440kW/600 h.p. are built, with complete bodywork and vehicle
modification.
The 365 BB and 512 BB have been fitted with a 330 kW
450 h.p. engine and complete racing modification, suitable also for
conventional road traffic, and have been successfully used in the racing
environment.
High-performance twin-turbo engines are produced for nearly all
12-cylinder models from the 512 BBi onwards.
Only the finest materials are used, tested on test stands, in wind
tunnels, and under extreme racing and road conditions, and tested and
approved by the German Technical Supervisory Authority (TÜV).
This is how the most successful model of all the KOENIG SPECIALS, the
KOENIG COMPETITION, came into being, based on the Ferrari
Testarossa, with a 735kW/1.000 h.p. bi-turbo engine, which at the
time was superior to all sportscars intended for road use. Cabrio
designs were also made.
Among the exclusive coupés and limousines, the Mercedes SEC was
taken as a basis, and, in an elaborate and sophisticated design and with
optimum technology, achieved absolute sales records worldwide.
Over the years KOENIG models and special designs have also been
delivered to celebreties, such as the Diablo Special Roadster with an
590kW/800 h.p. twin-turbo engine.
The most successful model on a BMW base is the 840/850 Coupé
with a supercharger-engine with up to 370kW/500 h.p., and complete
KOENIG SPECIALS modification.
High-performance supercharger engines are available for a lot of BMW
models.
The KOENIG C 62, based on the Porsche 962 C1 racing sports
car, was a successful creation from KOENIG SPECIALS as the first racing
sports car approved for conventional road use, with TÜV approval, and
won worldwide acclaim. High-performance supercharger and turbo engines
are available for a lot of Porsche models.
Another amazing development from KOENIG SPECIALS, based on the Ferrari F
50, is the 625kW/850 h.p. /800 NM bi-turbo engine with improved
aerodynamics, chassis, and brakes, and at a power-to-weight ration of
only 1.47 kg per h.p., is one of the fastest road sportscars
anywhere.
The respected German motor trade magazine "Sportauto" named this model
as Readers' Choice as Sportscar of the Year 1999, in the highest
sportscar class.
