Early TestaRossa none TRX tyres. Ferrari Homologated.

Hi

I am a fan of the TRX tyres. I do think they are great. However sadly the demand was so very small that it didn't justify the effort of making that rear tyre. It is such an obscure size shape and carcass structure, there really arent many machines that could actually make that tyre, and set up took such a long time, include the testing before a batch went into production, it just became a nightmare and got scrapped.

TRX were always a bit difficult even back when they were current. if you had a TestaRossa and needed new tyres, the local quickfit was not going to just have them on the shelf as a result there has always been the option to have a 16" tyre, and the tyre for that was the Pirelli P7.

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Pirelli have just made a fresh batch of the 265/50 VR16 Pirelli Cinturato P7. we do also have the P-Zero System set up from Pirelli.

https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/classic-car-tyres/ferrari/testarossa.html

Now it might seem like a world gone mad where we have 2 different 16" wheel set ups from Pirelli and one from Michelin.

So we all know the Michelin is a good tyre, though a bit modern. I dont think it came out until 2000. (however i am trying to confim that. I have a bit of a gap in my Michelin books between 1993 and 2000)

So what do we know about the P7 versus the P-Zero. well the rears are a slightly different size. I think when Ferrari moved away from the TRX or P7 set up they would have adjusted the geometry of the TestaRossa. I wonder if anyone knows anything about this?

The Lamborghini Countach lot had very strong veiws on this. The Pre Aniversay Contach owners really wanted the P7 over the P-Zero. they say it makes a huge difference, However the Aniversay model owners love the P-Zero.

I will try to find out more, but in the mean time if anyone has any data about geometry adjustment or different spring stiffness etc we would love to hear.

 

oh thats cool.

i think that is the period befor Pirelli have quite got the P-Zero System sorted, which i think was a bit later. Unfortunately none of those 3 listed tyres are still in production. now we have:

P7 which is right for the pre '86 TestaRossa, and tio be fair will probably give the nicest ride.

https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/265-50-vr-16-pirelli-p7.html

then the P-Zero system, a bit stiffer but an epic tyre, probably the one for ultimate grip. came intoward the end of the TestaRossa

https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/225-50yr16-255-50yr16-pirelli-p-zero.html

then Michelin, who always make a good tyre, but again a bit late.

https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/michelin-classic-tyres/pilot-sport.html

who knew you could have such a tricky time chooseing from 3 options!