First Ferrari Purchase: TR/512TR

Matt, from the pictures to my eyes like lafluth I'd say this car look like a well care one. Also it look very good the way it is with the wheels and the gloss black lower body because it's a black car. Personally I'd leave it as is and enjoy it. You can always collect the correct parts in the future if you want to keep it as a collector.
Same for the exhaust, if it pass smog as is don't bother.
when an owner took care of buying all the little extra like the luggage and other little things it show he loved his car and these sets are now worth a few bucks. Dave Helm fuse boxes are not cheap and he spent the money to get it, that is a sign of a well maintained car not just a quick fix. Little things like oil change made by owner are superficial in my opinion.
If you are serious ask the seller to let you drive it for a full day and go to Newman for a PPI. Take the ferry and the drive is not SO far.

Fuel injection is completely different from a 512TR but are good and well proven bosch systems for their time. They have their week point like any other systems but nothing to wallk away from it. The biggest problem is todays fuel quality. Make sure to always have fresh fuel and use stabilizer if not driven for a longer period like winter time.

The 1300 claim like you said is just a scratch. This will not detrack the type of buyer for this car in my opinion. The fussy collector ones who would complain will shop for a totally original untouched car not this one.

So in the end it's your choice, are you looking for a personnal occasionnal driver to have fun? Then go for it.
If you're looking for a collector car as an investment keep shopping for a perfect low miles untouched in the color you prefer.

If the first option is your goal I think this car is a good candidate and I would try to buy as cheap as possible.

Good luck!

 

Matt, WHY on earth did you decide on a TR over a 512TR ... or you didn't ??

 

that is really right matt.

I baught my first F when I have been 21, and still have this car - best investment ever, or nearly

 

I'm going to stick my nose in here to clarify something. I own the black TR in Mindemoya that Matt is coming to see. For the record, the "collision claim" on the CarProof report was a cut tire. The MTO was replacing some culverts on Highway 6 and laid down some tarmac patches in a few places. A sharp edge on one of them cut the inside sidewall on the LR and ruined it. I replaced both tires and my insurance covered them. There was no damage to the car.

 

Good luck Matt and have fun.

Dave, show him what a TR is.

Good luck to you two and I hope you guys come to an agreement that make you both bappy.

 

No fair. You have to at least give us a hint.

 

Congratulations

 

There is an excellent book Ferrari 512TR by Werner Schruf
ISBN 3-613-01540-4 (in German)
which goes through the whole development of the car'
Apparently 85% of the parts are different
Totally different chassis, 25% stiffer, lower C of G etc overcomes tendency of the older models to wallow a bit. For example 512TR's engine comes out of the top, not out of the bottom on a sub-frame as on a Testarossa.
It stops better. Much bigger brakes.
A couple of quotes

"It really is a different car" Walter Vignale Development manager

“lurking under that bodywork is about three quarters of an F40 with all the conveniences of any modern GT” Phil Hill in a Road & Track article

and a summary here
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1615105

Of course, I a bit biased but it was my first Ferrari - I was leaning toward a Dino 246GT but felt in my heart it needed 12 cylinders.
Looked at a Testarossa but was advised by a specialist independent dealer to buy a 512TR "if you can find one" they are rarer than hens teeth in RHD form.
One turned up and I went 30% over budget at the time and never regretted it.

Martin

 

As you say the car is defenetely a driver by the pictures. Makes me realized my TR was a very nice exemple. From the pictures it as been in a non heated garage I would say and the moisture from the concrete didn't help with the undercarriage. Personally I would keep shopping and compare condition and price. Keep it in mind and come back to it if nothing better show up. I don't think it will sell fast even if price is fair compare to the market but still a bit high in my opinion. The market is actually flooded with over 30 cars on ebay alone.

Personally if I ever buy another TR it would be something like this car(on the rough side) but not for this kind of money.

 

I would agree. The undercarriage is disappointing compared to the exterior and engine bay. If it were me I would want to redo a lot of it, and when you start something like this you never know where it will end. As godabitibi said there are so many around that it is just tempting to keep looking and find another one