Feedback PLEASE: Looking at 86 TR and Have Question About Panel Gap | FerrariChat
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Feedback PLEASE: Looking at 86 TR and Have Question About Panel Gap

Discussion in 'Boxers/TR/M' started by erisol, Jun 2, 2012.

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  1. erisol

    erisol Rookie

    Jan 28, 2007
    27
    Scottsdale, AZ
    Full Name:
    Eric S.
    #1 erisol, Jun 2, 2012
    I am looking at a low mile 86 TR from Ferrari of New England.

    http://www.ferrarine.com/ferrari-ma-details.asp?user_id=32023718&stocknumber=P30038

    The facility states no accidents and the carfax is clean as far back as it goes. I plan on having a PPI performed prior to purchasing the car. This should be able to determine whether the car has been in any accidents or had any paintwork. Although the car looks good and is mechanically sound, I have some concern about the fit of the front trunk panel. The gap on one of the sides where it meets the fenders appears to be larger than the other. Additionally, the gap on the outter sides of each headlight are not completely even as well.

    I am not completely familiar with Ferrari's and how the panels fit. I do have several vintage Corvettes and the panel fit on those cars is always uneven (from the factory in many cases).

    Are the front trunk panels on TR's adjustable for fitment? Do some TR's have poor fitment from the factory? OR is this a "red flag" that the car has been hit?

    Feedback from this group is GREATLY appreciated here.

    The last thing I want to do is make the wrong decision here.

    If anyone knows this car, please let me know.
    Thank you,
    -Eric
     
  2. MS250

    MS250 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 10, 2003
    26,578
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    #2 MS250, Jun 2, 2012
    front lids on TRs have weak shocks to have them stay up. I can only assume , they have been changed, and someone didnt align it perfectly..... i just recently changed my struts that holds the hood up.
     
  3. KENCO

    KENCO Formula 3

    Nov 1, 2006
    2,396
    FL
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    KJG
    #3 KENCO, Jun 2, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Here is a pic of another, seams are off slightly as well. I looked at my 87 in the garage and the are a little tweaked, not as bad as the one your looking at. My concern is even though the mileage is low, the price seem kind of high.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  4. 166&456

    166&456 Formula 3

    Jul 13, 2010
    1,723
    Amsterdam
    #4 166&456, Jun 2, 2012
    Love the Nakamichi radio. Ugly as hell but very period. Must have been expensive - and will probably still sound good.

    Looks like an extremely clean car, you might still want to request warranty on the differential though. And how old are those tyres?

    On to your question - panel gaps are iffy sometimes from factory so that by itself is not enough clue to past accident damage. Often there are other clues as well such as slight overspray, a change in structure in the paint, etc. A PPI with paint depth gauge and underside inspection will probably tell.
     
  5. Scaledetails

    Scaledetails F1 Rookie

    Nov 19, 2003
    4,211
    Daytona Beach, FL
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    Stephane
    #5 Scaledetails, Jun 2, 2012
    I wouldn't think the car had any paint work based on those gaps, I think the shocks may have been changed also or it's just the fact that this is a handbuilt car. With that said, it looks fantastic and I would not hesitate buying this one.
     
  6. JoeZaff

    JoeZaff F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Aug 5, 2007
    5,459
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    Joe
    #6 JoeZaff, Jun 2, 2012
    As an owner of an 86 flying mirror, I give a big +1.

    If it has an excellent service history and passes a PPI, go for it.
     
  7. erisol

    erisol Rookie

    Jan 28, 2007
    27
    Scottsdale, AZ
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    Eric S.
    #7 erisol, Jun 2, 2012
    Thank you everyone for your comments. The dealership has gone through the car very extensively (Engine Out Major Service with all of the trimmings) among many other time related items which were serviced/replaced. I have reviewed all of the records first hand. I think that the tires have probably exceeded their shelf life and will need to be replaced. Regardless, I am going to have a PPI performed by an independent shop before pulling the trigger.

    There was some reference in the service history about the front trunk release cable being broken. The dealership had to replace the cable. I would venture to say that at some point the hood shocks were replaced as well, but not on this go around.

    I do not think an authorized dealership would get involved with a car that had accident history, but I have heard of horror stories. I think that the PPI will tell all, but I am somewhat relieved to know that nobody here (so far) sees any reason for concern with the hood alignment issue I mentioned.
     
  8. fire_n_ice

    fire_n_ice Formula 3

    Jun 9, 2006
    1,087
    #8 fire_n_ice, Jun 3, 2012
    I think that is a great price for a low mileage car with a recent major completed. If it passes an indy PPI, snap it up.
     
  9. vincenzo

    vincenzo F1 Rookie

    Nov 2, 2003
    3,373
    #9 vincenzo, Jun 3, 2012
    The wear and wrinkles on the driver seat does not look like a 3200 mile car - but the rest of the car looks very good. Hard to tell for sure.

    The front spoiler appears to have been repainted - the textured surface appears to be gone. The panel gap of the hood (as noted) seems off - perhaps some work was done at the same time as the front spoiler re-paint???? Might want to inspect the front end very closely for repairs. Is the undercoating at the front unmolested? If the underpanel was straightened, the undercoat will either show the effects - or have a fresh overspray.

    Make sure all the fuel lines and tank crossover and fuel pump lines are fresh. If not done already, they can change 'em with the engine in the car.

    Overall - the car looks VERY good. If it is truly a 3200 mile car with all new seals, lines, belts etc etc, the price (more or less) is warranted IMHO.

    Rgds,
    Vincenzo
    BTW - have all the 'early car' updates been completed? The other early car folks can provide details....
     
  10. erisol

    erisol Rookie

    Jan 28, 2007
    27
    Scottsdale, AZ
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    Eric S.
    #10 erisol, Jun 4, 2012
    Thank you for the information. I am going to have the PPI performed this week. The shop (IFS) seems to be very willing to help me navigate through this purchase. I am going to have the scour the car. I am not 100% sure if the dealership replaced the fuel hoses/lines that you referenced BUT they did replace the fuel accumulators during the major engine out service. I would hope that those lines you referenced were done as well. I will double check. The seat wear concerned me as well, but some people are rougher than others getting in and out. I have seen cars in showrooms (with NO miles) show wear on the seat where people just got in and out to smell the interiors.

    I will report back with my findings after the PPI.

    Thank you for your feedback. I greatly appreciate it.
     
  11. JoeZaff

    JoeZaff F1 Veteran
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    Aug 5, 2007
    5,459
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    #11 JoeZaff, Jun 4, 2012
    Don't worry about the bolster wear. As a very well respected Restoration Expert once told me, you can't judge a Ferrari's mileage by the wear on its bolsters, most owners take 15 trips to their garage to make vroom vroom sounds in the cockpit for every 1 mile they drive.

    I've seen enough low mileage F-cars and met enough owners by now to confirm his observation ;)
     
  12. MS250

    MS250 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #12 MS250, Jun 4, 2012
    So true !
     
  13. NSXER

    NSXER Formula 3

    Jan 4, 2004
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    #13 NSXER, Jun 7, 2012
    How did the PPI go?

    Brian
     
  14. curtisc63

    curtisc63 Formula 3
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    Dec 13, 2005
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    #14 curtisc63, Jun 7, 2012
    Joe - are you still a card carrying member of this club? :D
     
  15. JoeZaff

    JoeZaff F1 Veteran
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    #15 JoeZaff, Jun 7, 2012
    I actually drive her quite a bit, more than I thought I would. I am on pace to put around 2500 miles on her this year. But yes...still a big fan of the vroom vroom sounds ;)
     
  16. erisol

    erisol Rookie

    Jan 28, 2007
    27
    Scottsdale, AZ
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    Eric S.
    #16 erisol, Jun 7, 2012
    After reviewing the PPI report, I decided that this car was not what I was looking for.

    My endless search continues....
     
  17. Scaledetails

    Scaledetails F1 Rookie

    Nov 19, 2003
    4,211
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    Stephane
    #17 Scaledetails, Jun 7, 2012
    Would you care to share the negatives on the report? I am somewhat amazed that a 3200 mile car in this condition could fail that test. Not to mention it could help future buyers out there looking at that same car.
     
  18. erisol

    erisol Rookie

    Jan 28, 2007
    27
    Scottsdale, AZ
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    Eric S.
    #18 erisol, Jun 8, 2012
    If you would like to PM me, I would be happy to share what I learned about the car, but i would prefer not to get into it openly on the forum. The only thing I can say to anyone looking for a used Ferrari is that a thorough PPI is an absolute must. I also think that monitoring this forum (and participating) is also very helpful as well.
     
  19. curtisc63

    curtisc63 Formula 3
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    Dec 13, 2005
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    #19 curtisc63, Jun 8, 2012
    So if you want the forum to be helpful why not disclose what you found out about the car that made you pass on it? Mechanical, structural, cosmetic??? Help others as you say.
     
  20. NSXER

    NSXER Formula 3

    Jan 4, 2004
    1,307
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    #20 NSXER, Jun 8, 2012
    Just send him a PM as I did and he will let you know.

    Brian
     
  21. WJGESQ

    WJGESQ Formula 3

    Dec 30, 2004
    1,477
    #21 WJGESQ, Jun 18, 2012
    Just say it.


    Isn't that what we are here for?
     

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