What’s your favorite of the Testarossa’s and why?
512 TR. It is to me the best looking of the 3, the lower center of gravity makes it sportier, brakes better, the rims have aged better too. It’s also faster and some models (94) have a better diff. It’s also more rare than the regular one. Then it would be regular TR.... I would not want a M even if you give it to me too ugly Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
While I like the technical aspects of the TR512 a lot to me it looks fat and hunch backed. The cosmetic changes were not a success. The plastic interior and the lower grade electrical system was not high on my list either. I really loved the headlights in the M but the wheels were such a distraction...well I just cant get past them. This is a picture of ours. The blacked out rockers and spoiler and the vastly better engine cover profile to me make it a great looking car and much more svelt than the follow on cars. It is what the Pininfarina designers intended and not what the marketing boys felt they had to do to stretch the model out for a few more years. The single mirror? That was just an accommodation for the misread of the US laws that got put back to the original intention as soon as the mistake came to light. Image Unavailable, Please Login
I'm keeping my early Euro monospec. No ugly rear bumper rubber, no 3rd brake light, no interior knee pad or whatever that thing is and no dumbass mouse seat belt BS.
The monospec is cool because its special but not necessarily bc it looks good. I like my 87 bc I still get the monodado wheels which are more important to me than the flying mirror. Id love to not have mouse belts but I think the “knee pad” is actually incredibly useful for holding things (wallet, phone, etc) and finishes the look of the car better. To me its a toss up between the monospec and 87/88.5 models. Pros and cons. I lust after the 512TR performance and brakes but that is all. The design is inferior to Pininfarina’s original intent: the Testarossa
Its a 90 with dark blue interior, Schedoni luggage and Classiche certified. Don't have many pictures. Shown twice. Once in 99 in Atlanta with a Platinum and Coppa Bella Machina award, once in 2012 in Palm Springs with a Platinum, Coppa Bella Machina and the 2012 National Preservation Award. Thinking of taking it to Mt Tremblant in 2020. Rules changed for the National Preservation Award and it is the first time it will be eligible under new rules. Has to be 30 years old now.
For looks, I agree with Brian - the later cars have been unsuccessfully tinkered with, and the original Pininfarina design is best. M is the best driver in my opinion but only by a small margin over the 512TR, but it looks awful to my eyes. So I remain a happy 512TR owner of 15+ years.
The first iteration (‘84-‘86) is the most exotic looking with the single flying mirror, center lug wheels, and two-tone paint. Plus, it is much more rare than the second iteration (dual mirror ‘87-‘91) or the 512TR—but not the 512M—per the production numbers.
love it i have a white on white clasiche and full lug love it I have the same year also clasiche and luggage set I have never entered it in any show Image Unavailable, Please Login
unfortunately you forgot in your poll to mention the the first dual mirror with the single nut wheels. this I prefer
I agree! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I actually dive ours for long distances. I would never consider a single lug car. How many of you have changed a flat on the shoulder of a very busy freeway? I have and drove 400 miles home on the space saver. Single lug cars are for bar hopping. I have taken off hundreds of those wheels and would never own one. There have been times in the shop with all the correct tools that it took the effort of several people to get one off. Good luck with that on the 405.
you are right brain with changing those wheels when you have a flat tire, but today when will you have such a problem? I myself with all my cars I never had since the last 20 years and only a very few of my customers ( not only F customers ) had and most of them not even changed the wheel then, they called a towing truck. for you as a craftsman it is no problem to change a wheel, but most "normal" drivers not even can change a wheel with 4 or 5 screws
Above is so true. Just call AAA and sit and wait. I had to change a left front tire on the Ohio turnpike at night in a snow storm,DD. I was very nervous with traffic whizzing by. Fortunately a state trooper stopped behind me and kept the emergency lights going while I changed the tire. He commented: You changed the tire very quick! Sure, I wanted off the hi way!!
