Convertible depreciate/appreciate?

It generally reduces the value. It may be on par with non-chopped TR's if you like it and would want to do it anyway. It does not increase the value if that is what the seller is telling you. I have seen 87 chopped TR's in the range of $55-60k.

BT

 

I own both a 93 512TR coupe & a 95 512M chopped by Straman

I love both cars

Value depends on how 1 defines it. In strictly $ then there may be a drop

But to me the real actual value of a Ferrari is in the enjoyment & pleasure you get from driving it

In this regard the Straman TR is Extremely valuable becus its so much more fun than a regular TR

Buy it, You wont be sorry

Helll if you dont buy it tell me where it is
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If a car is fully depriciated it may or may not hurt or help the value. Once a used car has hit rock bottom a well done chop job will attract different buyers who 'may' pay a bit more. But the conversion better be done right and I don't mean just cosmetics or you have a problem!

If the body is now whippy, you will develop so many related problems it's not funny. This will reduce the value to a parts car since it's basically dangerous to be driving it at speed. While I love the look of the car above, I would want a real expert to inspect and drive it before I bought it. This means added cost to me, and so a seller of such a car would need to find a customer who thinks the 'wow' factor outweighs the practical considerations. They are out there however. So you'll get less from a sophisticated Ferrari (car) guy, maybe a touch more from the unwashed masses.

Ken

 

if its a real Straman job it will be safe.

my 95 512M Straman is much more rigid than my factory 93 convertible Corvette AND my 84 Ferrari 308 GTS QV

 

Pour me some bath water then, because I would be F'in ALL over that for the price of a 348 Spider.

 

I'm it I was just completing my TR collection though so I'm in a class of very few people

I think most the non Ferrari people, may have a dim clue of what a Testarossa is from the good old Miami Vice days.

Young kids born in the 90s, unless they are car guys, probably have zero clue regarding what a TR is

 

as with any cut job there should be supporting paperwork

 

Yes, when buying a car with an aftermarket convertible, it's very important to know how it was built. The chassis must be braced before the roof is removed to prevent frame warpage. Afterwards the chassis must be appropriately reinforced at the pressure points which will have great stress without the roof. If the conversion is done properly there shouldn't be any chassis flex when driving it.

It's important to know what to look for when both examining and driving it. Most people wouldn't just hack up a Ferrari and do a half assed job. The most surefire, but insanely impractical way wold be to pull the panels.

It'd also be a good idea to get it put up on the lift and see if there is an X-frame reinforcement, although there are other ways of getting a solid chassis without the X-Frame.

For those familiar with Straman, do you know if they use an X-Frame?

 

Mines going to the shop this week I'll take a look underneath & tell you what I see

It will be really interesting to see my 512TR & 512M from below to spot the differences