The thing we most dread, RUST! Several threads have dealt with it and the repairs involved. Here is a warning to owners and future owners of Testarossa. This should be included in a PPI from now on as it can be quite serious. Where to look: Where the inner wheelwell joins to the frame area the factory used pop rivets on the top and sides. They also the used seam sealer inside the trunk area and on the inside of the wheelwell to seal it all up. The problem is that the seam sealer fails in the wheelwell area and allows water to migrate between the wheelwell and the frame. It then gets past the rivets and rusts the frame from the inside out !!! The indicator that this is happening is the rust on TOP of the frame. The best way to inspect this area is to remove the wheel and get a light and look closely where this seam is. One spot is above the top shock mount area and to the left and right of it about 6 inches. You might also be able to see in the trunk area where the wheelwell sits on the frame. If your seam sealer has failed in this area and you see ANY rust whatsoever you may want to consider taking further action. These frame sections are where the front upper suspension mounts and the area right around it as shown. Also the frame sections have been cut open to inspect and repair as required. Trust me it is not a easy nor cheap repair..... The factory did not provide and drain holes in the frame area for these sections. Also there is no sealer inside these sections. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Maybe it's the picture, but for a car that old, it doesn't appear to be too bad. They make several products out there that you can put on it to seal the rust and stop it. It looks like more surface rust to me than anything else.
Considering you are looking INSIDE the frame after the rusted upper portion was removed. The sections cutout were over 50% wasted. The other side was twice as bad. Also shown after needle scaling.
I've seen pop rivets admit water into a tube frame before. It's common practice on many Italian cars to attach bodywork to frame tubes with aluminum rivets they become loose from flexing or corrode away and become entry points for moisture without anywhere for it to drain out. This can result in serious damage to vital structural areas without much warning. You will eventually see water or rust on the underside only after it has rusted through. In hindsight, a few tiny drain holes at the low points would have helped prevent this. The repairs can be extensive and it is important to prevent it from recurring. POR15 is an outstanding product and although somewhat involved to apply properly will create a practically bulletproof coating over the repair. Image Unavailable, Please Login
