The Awesome testarossa

I drove my testarossa to a friend's house today and walking back to the driveway where the car was sitting I was totally in awe with the car. The lines of the car are beautiful. Just as an example, unlike some 308s and Boxers, the wheels fit perfectly in the wheelwells and even after all these years there is no sag in the front or rear. The body is a work of art. Even if the engine exploded the body would be worth putting in a museum or shrine in one's house. I can't believe the way testarossas are beaten around on f-chat like they are trash.

I also can't beleive all the misinformation about testarossas. In one thread someone implied more testarossas had been made than any other Ferrari model. Another posted a picture of an 'original' testarossa with aftermarket wheels and tires and a body-color front spoiler.

Kind of reminds me of the early 70s when Mercedes 'gullwings' were just tired old cars with underpowered 6 cyl. engines, truck-like ride, no parts or service available and I even remember seeing one at at hotrod show in the 70s with chrome all over the engine compartment. As we know this all changed, and the gullwing market took off a few years in advance of the 80's Ferrari boom.

One thing that I think happened with gullwings is that the appeal of the these cars went beyond just Mercedes enthusiasts and demand for these cars was generated outside of the ranks of 'Mercedes People.'

In a similar way, people who are not otherwise 'Ferrari People' are and will be finding affordable testarossas and fixing them up while the Ferrari enthusiasts laugh at their foolishness for spending more on these cars than they are worth.

Howerver, the 'worth' of these cars will be determined by these new owners who love the car and have always wanted one.

Well, we don't know the half-life of 'archived' information on the internet, but if f-chat threads are still available to view in 15 or 20 years, the discourse on testarossas will seen quite humorous and people will be kicking themselves for not buying one (or 2) while they were cheap and no one wanted them.

 

I hope you're right!

 

+1

 

I am with you on the whole feelings you get driving and looking at the car mines gets a visit in my garage every few days just to give me a buzz and the only downside is here in ireland i can't get to drive it this time of year. As for future value i don't care as mines will never be sold whilst i can afford to keep it. In my heart the testarossa is king, long live the king!

 

It was sunny and 70+ all weekend here in NC so she was out and driven a lot...what a joy to drive. As my wife has said over and again unlike the Porsches the TR is a member of the family. I have never found myself able to walk away without looking back...this was a dream car as a kid and now it is a member of our family.

 

The TR is my favorite Ferrari, up there with the 250GTO as the most thought provoking and beautiful Ferraris of all time, but the maintenance is killer.

I thought about picking up a second TR in the past, but I've already spent the cost of a second on maintenance and repairs of my first in the past 7 years. I do hope the price appreciates with time, so if nothing else, it helps reassure me that all the maintenance headaches are worth it.

 

I agree 100% even when I go to put the trash out I sneek a look at the car the lines are timeless.

 

you can see by the look on my face how i feel about driving mine.........(worth every $)
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Are you referring to the "Does this TR look like it was hit in the front" thread?

If so, the picture was posted to show a normal gap on the front hood & was never stated that the TR was original. Just that it had a "normal" gap on the front hood.

 

I agree, the TR is a beautiful car. I saw a red/tan one last week when I was having the annual service done on my 328. Unmistakable. It's also true that Ferrari made 7000 (?) of them, which is more than the 308 QVs and about tied with the 328s. But who cares, it's not a mutual fund. And you'll have a better chance of getting the parts to keep it on the road because so many will be parted out.

I don't know about the 'sag' - I'd guess that has to do with the state of the suspension. Good 308s and 328s sit evenly.

Finally -- and don't dismiss this -- TRs can be atrociously expensive to maintain for a $60K car. I admire them, but when my own wallet was involved I passed. It's not bashing. It's where a lot of us come out based on the facts. From weak differentials to crappy motorized mouse seat belts to dash shrinkage, the cars have a range of problems from expensive to not-so-bad. FChat just tends to focus on these.

That said, it's OK to stand back and admire the thing. Pininfarina hasn't done anything like it since.

 

Which pre-2000 Ferrari was NOT prone to dash shrinkage?

 

The vinyl-covered dashes in the 308/328 seem to hold up better.

 

True dat.

 

I thought this thread was for those of us living in ignorant bliss.

But since it is not...Sure this is my first F-car, but I have had my pocket picked clean by a few Porsches. I shopped and bought what I thought was a good car,very low miles, known owner & history, had a PPI done, then a complete belt service and tried to cover all the bases I could. Is there still the possibility of the transmission bitting me tomorrow? Yes, and the engine in my ML may throw a rod, or my Piper may not make it to 2000hrs...you pay your money and you take your chances. The point is I have yet to see one of these prancing horse cars with discount parts and service...if you did everyone would be driving them and they would be called (insert discount auto manuf here).

Even if she didn't run I sneek out to the garage just to look at her.

 

You are right, it did not mean to imply you were one of the mis-informed. Nice color!

 

I also have a good smile for ya:
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Actually it is the 'jacked up' look some cars have. Some boxers in the rear and certain 308s. I have noticed this myself and seen it pointed out on 'ebay critique' threads.

This 308 picture is like the first thing that came up on a google image search. The front wheel well just does not look right to me. I thought it was a USA thing, but this picture shows a european car. However, the testarossa wheelwell lines always look great.

Perhaps it is just the lighting or lack if shadow detail in the tires but this boxer kind of has that jacked up look also.

In fact the Fiero-boxer has duplicated that look.


I am not bashing 308s and boxers, I really love them both and would think my collection would not be complete without an example of each. I just think they did a better job on the testarossa wheelwell arch.
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Thanks - I love the color, but had to sell the car.

I really like Notoboy's green TR!

 

Nice! That Buff sticker really completes the car.