Paint Bottom Trim Of My TR Red ?

Well, if you apperantly want your Testarossa to look like a 512 TR, that tells me you'd rather have a 512 TR than the Testarossa. That's all fine and well, but the first solution would be to actually go out and buy a 512 TR. If that isn't an option (for whatever reason) camouflaging a Testarossa like a 512 TR is indeed the next best alternative.

In my view it wouldn't do justice to the Testarossa, for the Testarossa is a great car and fantastic design on its own merits, just as the 512 TR is. Theyre different cars.

Would anyone mind if someone took out the louvres of a 348 (if that's even possible) to make it look like a 355? I would, but to each his own.

 

Perhaps I am a bit of purist. I would have some reservations about making a factory 360 Modena look like a circuitgoing challenge-car for no other than cosmetic reasons, but I actually applaude the Stradale. Strange, isn't?

But then again, there's really no hell breaking lose. An opinion is asked and an opinion is given, but no one is giving anyone a hard time about painting trims.

 

"the body color valence makes the shape look too tall and thick"

Yeah, I think the front-end definitely looks better, not so floaty and high in the sky. But the sides could use a different treatment. Here's three variations, fully-colored, stock black, and perhaps a little svelting of the middle:
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I prefer the way it left the factory myself.

 

That was the first day I got it - Prior owner plates - I have since mailed back the plates.

The car now has CA license plates - Quad aces with a Queen kicker. AAAAQ

Do I dare ask why the strange question?

 

the point was, not everyone can just go and get a 512. i sure the guy asked about painting because he wanted to paint the car not make it look like a 512 but i could be wrong. when people put 355 wheels on older ferraris should they not do it and just buy a 355?
iam not sure his question was understood by some, didnt mean to be rude.

 

Difficult issue but very personal.
My own opinion always has been to keep a Ferrari factory-original. And I mean 100% original, the wheels, the paint-work, steering wheel, shifting knob everything.
If there are modifications you like to make I would only use Ferrari original items. Put the TR or M wheels on your Testa and it's fine but please don't start with all those aftermarket Borbets, Azev's ..... Use those for your Benz or Beemer if you want.....
For the Testarossa's underskirts: only paint them in case you go for the TR or M wheels.

Cordiali saluti,
Joren REMANS

 

355-wheels on anything other than a 355 would look very odd to me. Just as the 308 GTS on 348-wheels does. I certainly do not have a problem with it, since these Ferrari´s are not mine and everybody is free to do as they please with their proporty, but if it was up to me, I´d keep it original. Even the wheels on a 246 Dino (which look horrible to me) would stay on if i´d ever come to own one.

Besides all that, painting the trim on a Testarossa doesn´t look too bad. I actually like Chairo´s car, allthough the blue paint on the rearlight-shield (or whatever its called) is just a bit too much for me.

Optically modifying a Ferrari is however one thing, making it look like something it is not (another Ferrari) is something else. If you have a Testarossa, you can dress it up to your liking, but appreciate it for what it is: a Testarossa. If a 512 TR is what you crave and you do not have the means to get one, dream of it or save up, but let the Testarossa be a Testarossa and accept the fact that you can not always get what you want.

There are these people that transfer a 328 GTB into a 288 GTO, and sometimes they do a great job at it. But at the end of the day, you do not own a 288 GTO, and who are you kidding and why would you if a 328 GTB is a great car in ots own right?

Stick the energy in enjoying what you have, not in making a recreation of what you want.

 

Thanks GTE - The prior owner painted the black bits, but I like it a lot & have no interest in changing it back.

 

I prefer painted myself. If I ever got a TR or 348 I also would get Jerry's painted grille treatment for the rear deck and light areas.

 

Thanks Ryalex - Here is another picture - The picture above it really stands out a bit more than in real life. I think in real life it is a bit more subtle. Here is another picture that kind of shows what I mean.
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True, in the last picture it looks better. The colour is a hit though. Funnily enough red is almost never the best colour for a Ferrari.

 

I agree with these comments.

That being said, there's nothing wrong with asking for opinions.

 

Jerry, is your front grill painted blue as well? Got a good picture of it to post?

Wes

 

of course! lol The only black part that was left alone is the black around the side strates. Not a very good picture, but here you go. On the palm tree picture, you can kind of see where there is still the original black - About the middle of the side strates where the door ends.
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I think the reason painting the lower trim "works" well is due to the "advancement and refinement" of the TR into the 512TR. We have seen the later refined version and like it.

This also holds water with the 348 and refinements along the line.

If next year, Ferrari adds a new piece to a 360 that looks more refined and adds to the look, you'll see the many older cars adopt the same feature without fanfare. Unless a newer version is a dud for some reason...

like the body on the new BMW M5. (not interested in japanese styled german cars)

Robb Williamson

 

I have to side with the purists here too - I prefer the stock look. Painting the trim also highlights the fact the front spoiler is asymmetrical, particularly with a bright color like red.

But I'm also biased against modifications that do nothing for performance.

 

Bottom left corner TR has the best looking wheels I have ever seen on a TR (refering to this post: http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=134294931&postcount=35 ... but for some reason it is NOT the bottom left corner when viewing the single post ???? but right middle, thus see picture I've added below ... Pete's confused ). The standard wheels suck on all models of the TR IMO, way to much metal.

First thing I would change if I ever bought one.

I think the wheels are far more important than painting the skirts, etc.

Pete's opinion

ps: These wheels:

 

I'm going to paint my windows blue.

 

rofl!!

 

Perhaps surprising to some, this is an important thread.
It's important because many if not most Ferrari owners consider, or have considered, owning a TR of some vintage. Then this question eventually would pop to mind, so it's good, better fantastic, to get some of the great comments and particularily pictures on the topic in one place.

I agree with the harsh comments about the wheels...change them first. I don't find the later TR wheels too heavy though, only the early ones, and those I have only seen in pictures (I don't get out much). I felt that way about the exact same rims now on my 328, yet when I saw them "live" I understood them better (and like them). But I still think anything would be better on a TR than the stock rims.

On a Red TR I'm split. If you leave it stock, the next owner has 'nothing on you'. If you paint them and he wants them black again, what a pain! So, I'd shy away, especially if you're not absolutely convinced it's the right thing to do. To me that's what it boils down to...conviction.

Or you can play it safe. They're what, 4" tall? Try painting 2" body color and see how that looks. Be different! Paint the bottom 2"!

Best!
Wes