'The Ratarossa': The Testarossa Spider Rebuild Project

When I did my 308 QV conversion from US to Euro spec, thats exactly how I filled the rears with alu plates welded in. This time on the 'Rat' I've gone the quick route and just filled it, Im not after a perfect job on the body, I want the quirky look with a few scuffs and scratches, so yes it might likely crack but that adds appeal to me. I want this car mechanically sound and tip top all working and safe but aesthetics wise .....Rat Look !!!

 

Made a start on the front suspension.

A (long) while back I started the front and did a strip down and complete restoration on the left side, replacing all bushes and components with new. I never got around to doing the right side because I was never happy with the factory ride height (mainly at the front), so looked for a solution and thus the coil overs became a part of the plan.

This afternoon Ive removed the right side suspension, arms, calliper etc.

As per the Left side I will now refinish all the suspension and brake assy plus hub and fit the new parts. Then get the new suspension (front) put together and fitted to the car, then its time to play with the height

 

Pics of the factory suspension, removal and parts. I use these pictures to help me put the car back together in the correct order (apologies if its boring)
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some new goodies to fit on the right side front
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Suspension arms and hub removed and ready for cleanup then refinish
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they were ebay purchases quite a while back while i was restoring my 1970 911 engine

 

Search for Ebay user ‘massiveattack007’ he sells all the zinc coated ones

 

Sorry should also say thats ebay.uk not USA site

see pics below of ebay user
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Had a nice quick turn around time with the welding on the steering column support. Its now solid as a rock. Just need to grind away some of the weld to enable the key lock barrel housing to fit snug, a job for tomorrow.
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Suspension update:

Looked a little closer at the coilover setup. My plan was to use the factory springs on the coilover shocks. However on close inspection I think the factory springs are to long and when compressed to fit the new coilovers there will be no travel left.

I called the shock manufacture GAZ SHOCKS here in the UK who were really helpful. Long story short Ive send them one of my front factory springs so they can run some tests get all the correct ratings, measurements etc and will manufacture new springs for me.

In hindsight I probably should have removed one of the rear shocks and sent that off at the same time, but will now wait and see what they come up with on the front setup before sorting the rear stance. To be honest the rear ride height is pretty good anyway, it was only the front I wasn't ever happy with.
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factory shock v coil over
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Got myself a new paperweight

Acquired this on ebay a while back as a spare. Will give it a quick buff up and use it in my office until its one day required.
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One of the things I love to do when I purchase a new car, is to dig around in all the pockets, sun visors, under the seats and in the truck. Its quite amazing the treasures you find.

I had a nice 308 arrive a couple of weeks ago and while looking under the trunk carpet I found this old bonnet badge. Its well used but still looks great.

The other part I discovered under the seat of the 308 was the broken turn stalk for the steering column signals, that i was supppppppper happy to find as I can get it repaired and save literally thousands $$$ on a new cluster.
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Cheers Steve

 

Cheers, I'm sure there will be a few more bits I need along the way.