Let's see all your Testarossas!!

What color it that? I like it. Looks like a darker GS.

 

i only know it as grigio metallic, anyone know for sure?

 

The actual factory designation is Grigio Fumo Metallic

 

Full list of original factory colours, with an English translation

Bianco, White,
Giallo, Yellow,
Rosso Corsa, Racing Red,
Nero, Black,
Argento met., Silver metallic,
Verde tenue met., Light green met.,
Verde chiaro met., Clear green met.,
Verde scuro met., Dark green met.,
Marrone met., Brown met.,
Prugna met., Prune met.,
Oro chiaro met.,
Light gold met.,
Rosso met., Red met.,
Grigio fumo met., Smoke grey met.

Paul

 

many thanks Paul

 

Mine...
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Is it possible to replace the motorized seatbelts with the normal manual ones? For a 512 and a Testarossa?

 

I did a search on Testarossa Manual Seatbelts, and got nothing but your above entry in this thread.

My guess would be that if you throw enough money at it, this MIGHT be possible. I think the major issue would be the mounting points - plus; what do you do with the over the window track hardware?

My thought would be - (and it is more serious than it sounds -); why not look into an early single mirror car in the first place? I think they were the prettiest of these models, and they are greatly undervalued right now, especially compared to the later versions. If we are really honest with ourselves, they were all pretty much the same basic cars...even considering the many refinements that came with the 512TR and the M.

I predict that someday, a really good low-mile single mirror will compare in value to the late cars about like an early Boxer compares to the BB512i.

Now let the pelting of the stones begin -

 

Funny you should mention this as I posted the below a few weeks ago in the TR forum (with no responses)...
______

...Right now, early single mirror cars are the cheapest TRs, 512TRs are the most expensive (leaving aside Ms for a minute due to their "speciale" nature and rarity) and the later twin mirror cars are in the middle, with prices increasing for lower mileage and later years. This is not surprising, as this tells me that these are still USED CARS, with newer lower mileage cars obviously being the most expensive. Interestingly, the BB market was like this when I started looking for a 365BB. The 365s were the cheapest, and the newest 512BBis were the most expensive, again they were selling as used cars. What has happened since then is as Boxers have become collectible is that the 365BBs have become the most expensive, as they are the purest and the rarest. The same has happened in the Dino market, where 206s bring a premium. I think it is highly likely that these early TRs become the 365BB of the TR market over time, as these cars transition from used car to collectible (I am already hearing rumblings to this effect and I am in touch with several "in the know" / major collectors who are now looking for early single mirror TRs). I accept that the 512TRs are better cars (as I accept that 512BBis are better cars than 365BBs) but I ultimately believe their relative values flip flop over the next, say, ten years - particularly as the early cars have the pure form of the PF design, are the rarest (again discounting the M) and lack the dreaded automatic seatbelts of the later cars. I understand that most people will think I am crazy on this - but remember anyone arguing that 206s or 365BBs would become more valuable than the later models of their breed would have been laughed in the past as well. Thoughts? Should make for an interesting discussion...

 

Interesting thoughts. My father owned an 87' Testarossa which he later traded in on a 93' 512TR... niether had the automatic seatbelts, but they were both Canadian cars. So, I assume, its only the U.S cars that have the automatic belts?

Interesting about the 86' Testarossa's. For me personally though, I am simply not a fan of the single mirror look, just my opinion though. Also, I do like the 512TR more - I think the interior and engine/handling upgrades do justify the price premium. Again, just my opinion. I do however, HATE those automatic seat belts!!

I tend to think that the most mechanically advanced limited production of a certain body style will always be worth the most. For example a 512M will always be the most expensive Testarossa, a 99' Fiorano will always be the most expensive F355, a Stradale will always be the most expensive 360, a Barchetta will always be the most expensive Maranello, and so on. Simply put, at the very end of the production line *should* be the best (mechanical and technical) version of the car. The 86' Testarossa could become more valuable though because of the impact the car had (huge) and its the only version with the single mirror (if you like it). I would be suprised to see an 87-91 Testarossa ever become more valuable (on average) than a 512TR, especially a 512M.
Just my $.02.

 

I believe you are right - U.S. law had this "passive operation restraint system" rule at the time. It was intended to force airbags on us, but as that was not practical for the TR models, they fixed up belts that "automatically" put themselves on you. \

It is, of course, a PITA even when they are working right.

On the value issues - best to remember, it is all a speculation. But every time I had that gnawing anxiety that an undervalued car should not be passed up, I got burned. Like the $12,000 Lamborghini Miura, the $10,000 250 GT, and the brand new $12,500 Dino 246.

Of course, that probably means that nothing of the sort happens to the Testarossa as long as I own it - just because I went ahead and did the deed! It's OK - I would not let go of it now for $115,000.

 

I don't disagree with your logic (latest=best=most expensive), and this is certainly true for "used cars" but this has not been true historically with Ferraris once they become collectible. I think the examples you are using (355, 360, etc.) are all used cars at this point and when (if?) they ever become collectible this may not always be true. Good examples of this phenomenon for cars that are / are becoming collectible include 365BB worth more than 512BBi, early fiberglass 308 worth more than QV, 206 worth more than 246, 250 PF Cab Series I worth much more than SII, etc. Keep in mind that this was not always true - when BBs were "used cars" no one wanted a 365BB - 512BBis were worth much more - not now as collectibles but certainly then. Again, just IMHO...

 

You definitely make some good points! The example of the BB and figerglass 308 v.s QV is something I didn't think of. Thanks for pointing that out! The only thing I could add from my perspective is this:
Please correct me if I'm wrong because i don't know the exact numbers off hand, but, did they not make significantly less fiberglass 308's than 308 QV? Same with 365BB v.s 512BB?
My point being, they still made significantly less 512M's than 86' Testarossa's. As far as 512TR's v.s Testarossa's, I don't know the numbers at all, so won't comment.

It would be interesting to see how the market in the future values an 89' 328 v.s a fiberglass 308, that could be an indication of whats to come when looking at a particular bodystyle.

Cheers!

 

LOL.
James, I'm sure your Testarossa is a beaut. Screw values, if it puts a big ol smile on your face everytime you drive it, thats all the value that really matters!

 

This thread has a picture - I am being a little bit sparing with my picture posting until my subscription comes through. Post number 16...

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=195505

 

...and your points are good as well! You are right that rarity is A factor, if not the only factor and that 365BBs are much rarer than 512BBis, as are glass 308s vs QVs. Translating this to TRs, the Series 1 / Single Mirror cars are not as rare as F512Ms, but they are much rarer than any other non M series of TR, as production had not really ramped up yet as it would later as demand increased and production came on line.

I do think there is a good chance that the Ms DO stay at the top of the pecking order for good - as they are a special case - but of the regular TR / 512TR I do think the S1 ("single mirror") cars rise to the top over the next 10 or so years or so.

FWIW, although I am not a speculator and my cars are NOT for sale, I have put my money where my mouth is as I own both a 365BB (#18265) and an early TR (#65247) (oh and an early gt4 #10704 too)...

 

Truly a fine collection!

Cheers!

 

Yup - with the exception of my 400i (#049773) they are all nice cars!

 

loving this Koeing..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaDm9DIjnZA

 

Awesome pic!!

 

Cool pic! Which one do you like better between the Ferrari or Lambo?

 

I always thought there were 17 original colours???

 

A fellow FChatters TR Spider.
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I think that is the best looking conversion that I have seen, this side of the slutmobile of course.

Very nice.

Robb

 

really love the wheels do you know who made this conversion ?