slightly unbelievable but true story. need advice

Take offers in Italy. Sounds like it will always be under water. Consider it free money.

 

Go look at it. If you like it and it is in reasonable condition, get it to the usa.

Talk to somebody like Mike Sheehan https://ferraris-online.com/ to get the real story on importation. He may be able to recommend some contacts in Italy as well.

Sounds like your Italian contacts may be hoping to pick up a Testarossa at a dirt cheap price.

PS: post pics here and you’ll get much better input

 

I don't mean to be nosey but, where has this car sat for the past 35+ years? At a dealership... in a private garage... in a church shed...

You see, I was born and raised in Italy and if a Testarossa has been sitting unmolested in the same place (even if protected/private) for over thirty years then - unbeknownst to me - Italians must have turned into a bunch of missionaries and do-gooders.

 

That gives you the chance that it really exist. And this can mean it has been reasonably kept, I.e. it is in a reasonable condition and to put it back on the road is not a complete reconstruction.
One thing that would be important in Europe: if the car has not yet been registered in a European country it can be a problem to get a registration because today it would have to fulfill currant standards.
No exemption for historic vehicle. No idea what that means for importation in US.

 

Wow. What an amazing story and predicament. Your first instinct is probably the right one if you just want to quickly resolve the situation. Especially if the car is already at a dealer. Just have them sell it for you and pay them a commission. The importation scenario is also intriguing though. If I found that my Dad had a Ferrari in Italy, I would want to get my hands on the car, import it, mechanically restore it and enjoy it. The question for you will come down to cost. I imported a Ferrari out of Geneva back in 2014 at a cost of $15K that included all of the inspections, taxes, freight, etc. into the US. There are many importation companies out there that specialise in autos especially exotics. Given the year of the Ferrari, you won’t have any EPA issues here in the States. You can title and tag it and enjoy the car once it’s here. The importation expense will be slightly higher if it’s a roller, not running. But I would rather have the work done locally in case there are any issues while the bugs are worked out mechanically. No recourse if the work is done in Italy. Good luck making your decision.

 

worth a trip to italy.

 

Probably an oversight but boxers were made up to the end of 83, then a few in 84..testarossa's were designed and to my knowledge not titled or available in 84 at all..they started sales in 85..So if it is an 85 it would be in the first run of protos' or production..Cant wait to see pics.
Good Luck

 

^ good pt. maybe its a boxer.
curious as to why you are just now hearing about the car? your father didnt share his passion with you?

 

Not sure how the EE plates are relevant and what impact that will make. I didn’t encounter any issues related to the car being tagged in Europe prior to importing.

 

what are EE plates?

 

"Export" license plates.

 

+1 on calling Michael and Colleen Sheehan. I believe they will advise you on best way to handle this. I would personally not trust others.

 

Sad that you could not enjoy the car with your father years ago.... that said however, look at it as his effort to at least share it with you now. Life is complicated. I hope you find joy in this car!

 

If the car was kept at Carrozzeria Zanasi—the guys that do the repairs and special paints for the factory, yes?—the car should have been well preserved. Alternatively, the car is already at the right place to be returned to service.

Hopefully the storage cost has been settled already.

 

We have a very trusted member here, Albert-LP.

Multiple Ferrari owner, and speaking only for myself I would trust him to handle any evaluation and business in Italy.
I have done business with him ad he is an expert on our 308/328 cars, as well as Schedoni luggage.

Condolences, or congrats, as it were.
Probate is finished and if you are ready to decide about the car, for me I would set Albert_LP in the hunt.
Italy is not that big a place, especially in Ferrari terms.

Alan in Houston.

PS an early single mirror TR down the street here, with recent service is $130K, plus or minus.....