I had an absolute wonderful time driving my TR yesterday!

We are having good driving weather over here, hope to be out over the weekend.

P

 

Good timing on this thread. I'd been wanting to get the 512TR out and about, found a good opportunity. This'll be a longer post than usual.

Barber Motorsports Park (they emphasize 'park'; when you see it you'll know why) had a sports car show, multi-race day, various car club meets all last Saturday. It's about a 90 mile drive for me, so I got the TR all cleaned up, grabbed a friend, told others I'd meet 'em there.

Detailed the exterior and interior, installed 512M pedals (supplied with the car) and 'de stickied' some interior bits. I stripped the ashtray lid completely, polished it down, applied a Cavallino (photo). Maybe it's too much; I'm sure someone here will tell me so!

Pulled all 4 wheels, cleaned like a crazy person - no comment - repainted and recleared the backside. Installed a new battery because I'm an idiot. Clearly, "OFF" for the battery switch must be fully off or its... get this... ON! I know, a mystery, but I detailed the slightly corroded battery box while there. All was well.

My friend and I loaded up, I'd made coffee for both but he declined, so I had enough caffeine to last til Tuesday. A twist of the key, a whirr of the gear drive, and 'whumph!' the Tubi barked and the car was alive. The red needles jumped where appropriate and while others lazily built temp, we exited the car. The revs were up, smooth as 12 cylinder silk.

We just stood there looking at this idling Italian mass, dumbfounded. He said, "god, they can draw a car can't they?" An amen to that, deity duly noted, as we pointed out various details. "So 80's" we agreed. Words like "notable" "unmistakable" and "era defining" were tossed around.

My friend, a studious follower of history, art, architecture, solid craftsman, photographer, and Ducati owner was no casual observer. "There won't be other cars like this" he said. "Corporate design speak, social responsibility, and a push toward homogeny won't allow it."

This is the kind of statment that makes you carefully choose your response, so I wittily said, "Uh huh". Just then, the radiator fan whirred to life, prompting me from my stupor enough to muster, "Given that this is last car of Enzo's reign, and the last mid engine flat 12 Ferrari supercar, it has already chiseled its way into history."

With that, we chiseled ourselves into the black leather seats, the stupid electronic mice cinching us down. A click, clack into first, we were off. I won't go into the prose of the engine note, or attempt new ways to describe the acceleration, but I will say the car felt like liquid rushing where we pointed, and the engine song honestly truly made us FORGET the car had a radio. We never missed it in the least.

What we did notice, was being noticed. Others too couldn't get enough.

A friend who followed us said he'd never seen so many cell phones and cameras get whipped out to catch this masterpiece on a normal, 'boring' interstate. We were, in our own unimportant way, unwittingly famous, if just for the moment.

When traffic would slow, as safety would allow, I'd stab the accelerator to downshift once, "brrumm", twice "brrumm" grab 3rd, pick a slot, and be gone. This black exocet missile, would seek a clear path, at will.

The car behaved beautifully. The ac, which tried to go awol on the way up, cured itself (right) for my trip home. It sat proudly at the show, drawing young and old, male and female, knowledgeable and the uninitiated alike. I took home the glass trophy for "Best Italian 12 Cylinder" and have since filled it accordingly.

I must say, the TR has surprised me. I was a bit of a detractor, have sinned by making cheese grater comments, but now repent. The 512TR is a compliment to Ferrari's ingenuity and performance history, wrapped in an awe-inspiring design.

Sorry for the longest post I've ever added, but when a car moves you in more ways than one... well, you guys understand.
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Yes my friends, they are fine vehicles indeed, and mine awaits the rain to stop so I may purge my Demons on the open road. Thanks for sharing!

 

Couldn't have said it better myself. It's hard to put it all in perspective but I think you covered the most of it.
I have just a plain old "regular" TR and I still get these feelings.

 

For me - - much of the fun is in the garage!

It's all good!

Rgds,
Vince

 

That was a very entertaining post. I have never driven, nor riden in a 512 TR (I have the Testa Rossa and know it is very similar) but the 512TR is not only my favorite Ferrari of all time, but my favorite car period. Absolutely gorgeous. I have seen a quite a few (especially living in Southern California for a few years) and never grow tired of seeing them.

I like the black on black. At some point I will get a yellow/ black one.

Thanks for the awesome post.

 

Spasso and Forexpreneur -

Well, thank you for your kind comments. Hey, the Testarossa or TR, basically like chocolate and double-chocolate... are either a bad thing? You know the feeling your car gives you, the rush it gives others to see it, so the experience differs only in the micro-details.

There has been a Yellow 512TR for sale in Florida for sometime (on ebay many times) in need of a service, but getting to be a buy. Maybe yours?

Thanks guys. There've got to be some other fun TR stories and comments yet untold. Go for it.