In the US looking at a Euro Testarossa

Hello everyone, I am new to the forum and I have been looking at getting a testarossa. I found a 1987 euro model. I was wondering what I should look out for with the car. I know that it is in kph vs mph, and it doesn't have the self buckling seat belts. The car doesn't have the same emission controls as the US cars. Since this car is over 25 years old, do I have to worry about any smog or legal issues with the car? Is a euro model in the US not desirable?
I may see the car saturday and I will get some pictures. Do all Euro models have the small side turn signals or did some have the larger US style? This one seems to have the US side turn signals, front euro fog lights and turn signals, euro rear bumper and a euro vin.
Thanks you everyone for your help
Michael

 

Im going to have someone take pictures of the car tomorrow(Saturday) and I will post pictures when I get them. I spoke with a friend who has a Testarossa and he brought up good points about this possibly being a grey market import. Ill get a full carfax once the pictures have been taken.

 

Sadly I wasn't able to see the car this week. I am going to see it next Friday,black Friday sale? I was talking to a friend who works at a smog station and he said the same thing as Lear said. So when I go I will make sure that the car meets smog. Also is Rosso Dino a rare color?

 

A little introduction then, I am a big fan of the Testarossa, I have loved it since I watched Miami Vice about 10 years ago. I am in Mechanical Engineering, and have had a passion for cars. I currently have a 2003 Porsche 911. I am looking at having a Testarossa as a fun car and project. If something broke on it, then I would fix it. Any help with the purchase and upkeep afterwards would be amazing from this forum. If anyone has any questions for me please ask. Would repainting the car lower the value? Is Rosso Dino rare?

 

Ahh maybe it was a special order color. I would be keeping the car for a long time, so doing a repaint is fine for me. I found a car in the proper exterior color but not interior color amd This car is the proper interior color and not a perfect exterior color. Im assuming its easier to repaint the car than reskin the interior. I will be posting a lot once I get a car. I have been reading a lot of the repair threads, and I am amazed by the amount of knowledge.

 

What do you mean that it looked factory after a couple of years? Is it relatively easy to redo the seats and door panels? My problem is that I don't want a Rossa Corsa Testarossa, Id love a Grigio metallic, white or black. Id also prefer a black interior. I found a grigio metallic car but it needs some work and has a sketchy service history.

 

Thank you lear for the explination. I have done some paint work, so I would probably sand and tape the car off myself, and probably remove the engine so that the engine bay can be cleaned up. If I was to do all of that, expect a stream of posts and updates. I have been following testarossa prices for a few years now, and this is why I feel that I should get a car now. I can afford one now and I dont want to be locked out of the market by rising costs. I saw the white one on ebay, its a great color and seems very clean. But I really dislike the power seatbelts and it seems like it will sell above what I would want to pay. I wish that I could have a white car, then I could recreate "When the rain comes down- Andy Taylor" from Miami Vice. I know that I wouldn't be unhappy with any testarossa, so I need to find out if the exterior or the interior can be compromised on. What is the main thing to look out for on the testarossa?

 

Actually that's the exact car I'm looking at. Weird how its on a UK website. I believe that is a reasonable price, id like it to be a little lower. I dont know how I feel about the black wheels, but they can be refinished.

 

Heres the exact posting 1987 Ferrari Testarossa Coupe notice the side turn signals, they just look off to me. Any insight would be amazing. Also does anyone know this specific car?

 

So the F113B is preferred? Just because it doesnt have emission equipment? Yea I really would not want to have to add cats to the car. I was wondering if that hole was supposed to be there. I would probably make a little plastic cover for it and paint the lower valance and sides black. Im thinking another option instead of painting right now could be to vinyl wrap. It would cost a lot less for 3-5 years of looks.

 

Yea I need to check the car out. Since I couldnt have someone see it today I am going to see it on friday. If the car is great, then I will only get the car if it can pass smog. If it doesn't have cats then I walk away. Is the F113A that much different? I don't know anything about the specific engines. Is the F113A the early engines and then the F113B the later engine with more power?

 

Hmm sounds interesting. Im going to look up the engines and read more about them. Thanks for your help. I cant wait to see the car.