Enzo's Redheaded Step Children

The Testarossa in all incarnations with the exception of its predecessor from 1957 & 512M seem to be the red headed stepchildren of Enzo Ferrari. The classic car authoritarians deem its design to be dated & one of Pininfarina’s less favorable designs. High production numbers are said to hamper any significant future increase in valuation. It is not on the desired consignment list of well-respected Ferrari brokers while its contemporaries such as the 348,355,360,456GT, 550M &575M are.

I contacted two well-respected brokers locally here in Southern California recently & neither had any desire to assist me in locating one. The general consensus was the car current market valuation wouldn’t warrant the effort due to their margin.

This bidding on this example (see Lot #478) did not reach the auction houses expected minimum bid: Bonhams Greenwich 2012 - Auction Report

Until Testarossas start trading regularly in this price range: 1991 Ferrari Testarossa | The Don Davis Collection 2013 | RM AUCTIONS

They will remain Enzo’s redheaded step children.

 

A 512TR is more valuable and higher demand than 348's or 355's, so something doesn't add up there. If you're talking about the '84-'91 TR, then they will be held down by the 512TR or M, but a good 512TR isn't 'cheap'. I would have bought one if I could have gotten one within $15k of my 355, but they were all at least $20k more in similar condition, if not more.

It also makes zero sense that a 348 would be on the desired consignment list while a TR wouldn't, as they have almost identical styling with the TR arguably doing it better, especially the 512TR.

 

and you posted this why?
never mind a lot of it is wrong, please tell us your purpose

 

I simply conveyed what was relayed to me by two well respected dealers who have sold these cars for several years while making an attempt to locate a car to purchase.

What is wrong with the information I was given?

 

456 and 348 more desirable than TRs?... Hmmm... not buying that.

 

you have been on here for 7 years now and this is the best you can do?
firstly, you have had enough time to develop your own opinion from reading a few thousand posts on this car.
secondly, you have also had enough time to figure out that the best way to buy a car of this type is to ask on here first if anybody is selling or knows of one for sale.
thirdly, you have spent enough time on here to know that brokers have their own agendas. if you ask them for a car they dont have a line on, they will deride it and promote the cars they do have a line on - pretty standard behavior. but on the other hand, look at the post by kds, a former car dealer, who is also looking for a 512tr and cant find a decent one - who is 'right'? neither coz there is no right answer, only the car you yourself want.
fourthly, the way your wrote your opinion was somewhat provocative in this part of the site, and probably wont encourage too many people to help you.

and btw, there were more of each of those other cars produced than 512tr's, and no dealer will tell you he would rather have an unsold 348 or 456 on the lot vs a 512tr. 355's and 360's can be sold pretty fast, so they like to have a line on those. 550/575's are easier to sell than a 512tr since they are easier to drive and have more modern features.
have you driven any of these cars?

 

ross...well said sir!

I bought my '86 TR because I wanted it...I had to have it.

I have friends with 328's, 430's and 360's...great cars. I don't "need" one. I "needed" a TR. It is a statement, an icon in automobile history....a 12 cylinder beast. It is almost ghastly ugly to the point that it comes full circle and becomes one of the most beautiful cars on the road!

In Newport Beach, 360's 430's 550's are everywhere...even 458's. I don't "need" something everyone else has....and forget the production numbers that "classic car authoritarians" and "well respected brokers" throw around. WHO CARES???

If you like it... buy it. Forget the future value....if it increased value happens, so be it.

 

Respected? Who were they? Not respected for long. I'd say overly opinionated and misinformed perhaps.

Several years ago there was a poll taken among the public. I think it was U.S. or U.S. and Europe, I'm not sure. But the question was posed, "What is your favorite Ferrari of all time?" The winner was Testarossa.

When I bought my car, I looked at Lambo's, 348's, 355's and 360's all sitting in the same showroom. The TR is simply the best looking. Hands down.

Value??? That's so subjective. Besides all F cars go up and down in value for many reasons. To you it may be an investment or a hobby. To me it's a toy and a labor of love.

That being said, I'm not happy with the earlier TR's because they made so many so fast that they didn't do it right in many areas. Now I'm paying extra for their greed....F those greedy F people! BUT I LOVE MY CAR!!! Screw your respected dealers. They are snobs and I detest F snobs.

 

I've been told that very thing many times. Stare at the ass end for a good 20 minutes and you'll agree. Very well put.

 

the rear end of a tr is perhaps the best looking car angle in christendom

 

100% approval !

 

@no point did I state that was my opinion,I clearly stated that this was the information relayed to me by two well respected Ferrari broker/dealers. So I'm not quite sure how you arrived @ that conclusion.

Neither person I consulted with had an ulterior motive. Neither person tried to persuade me to purchase anything in their existing inventory.

Both broker/dealers shared their "professional" opinions with me & their rationalizations for what they felt would effect the future valuation of the car & I was given the recent auction sales data(http://www.sportscardigest.com/bonhams-greenwich-2012-auction-report/2/)to support what they felt fair market value for the car that I am interested in purchasing is.

I don't see how simply relaying information whether it be deemed accurate or not warrant some of the above responses.

I contacted two local specialist to make an attempt to locate a car locally. I would prefer to be able to see a car to purchase & have a PPI performed locally. I don't feel comfortable purchasing a car on E-bay or from a dealer in South Florida which lists cars in the Dupont Registry. I've read several horror stories during my tenure here on F-Chat.

 

ok lets give you the benefit of doubt.

you want a testarossa? ok, what preferences do you have for years, colors, mileage, etc.

somebody on here might be able to help.

 

Most Ferraris tend to pass through this "awkward" stage. Not old enough to be classic, not new enough to be desirable to the new car guys. The Boxer is arguably just emerging from that stage... don't worry, the TR will as well.

Be happy that you're buying now, and not when they are $300k...

 

+++

Truth!

 

all respect to the OP, I did read it as, " I am looking for a good TR and am disappointed they are going for so little that a dealer won't help me." So, perhaps it is not a stretch that some of us might deduce this was just an excuse for a beatdown.

If you are looking for a TR, a dealer might be the last place you would start. Especially if you have spent any time in this helpful section.

If you truly are looking for a good car and are an enthusiast, I sincerely wish you good hunting.

As one of Ferrari's few mid engined, flat 12's housed in arguably the most recognized FCar bodies of all time, the TR's will certainly find favor in the future even more than they do now. Some here are just ahead of the curve mostly because they don't care if they ever do.

 

You couldn't be more wrong.... so wrong in fact that it is not worth the effort to respond in more detail.

FWIW, this industry is full of "well respected" schmucks.
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Totally agree with this statement!!! The so called "experts" are of an opinion as to how knowledgeable they are. If fact they know very little to the wonders of a TR and the joy of its performance.

Ahhh....Joe.....missing something on the right side of your car? A mirror perhaps?

 

that looks pretty kewel!!!!

 

They aren't all red either...!

 

@WLANAST I wasn’t disappointed @all but in fact you’re absolutely correct. Neither dealer had any interest in attempting to locate a car due to their current market value.

I thought they would have been an excellent resource due to the fact that they specialize in the marque & may have been aware of a car available locally.


@Ross

Grigio Metallizzato/Rosso
Grigio Metallizzato/Crema
Nero/Crema
Rosso Corsa/Crema

 

I sit back and laugh every time I hear someone say the TR is an ugly stepchild, overproduced, or an out-dated icon of the 80s. It definitely isn't a car for everyone, but for those that appreciate its rawness, technical simplicity, and looks like no other car there is no substitute.

I owned a 360 and a 550 prior to purchasing my 512TR and neither came close to the visceral experience the earlier car offers. My uncle had a Boxer that he bought when it was only a few years old and I loved the sound and mechanical feel of it. But when the Testarossa first appeared it just spoke to me. Seeing the 512TR debut at the LA Auto Show only cemented my desire to own one someday.

The newer Ferraris I have owned and driven have been too similar to other modern performance cars (my wife's SL55 has the nearly same feel to me as the 550/575s with all of their electronic driving 'assistance'). Owning my first Ferrari satisfied a long-standing dream, but driving the TR is an event for me almost every time. From starting it up and cruising until it warms sufficiently, to nailing a perfect shift into second, or hearing the cacophony of engine and exhaust noise as the revs build into the upper limits - there is absolutely no substitute.

As others here have said, I could care less if the values go up or down or if anyone else appreciates the inherent 'specialness' of these cars. Rather, I will be happy to steal a backward glance at her every time I park knowing that it really doesn't make a difference one way or another.

 

+1 !
I've been told my Dino wasn't a "Real Ferrari" by an "Expert". Whatever Any way you look at it, the TR is a very cool car!

 

It isn't. But at the prices they want for the.....you can pretty much figure Enzo knew what he was doing but not putting Ferrari badges on it!!

Neat cars in my opinion.

 

The so-called experts failed to predict the rise in value of the Lusso, 330GTC and Dino.