Hi. The 1991 Ferrari I purchased is red, including the bottom side skirting and the bottom lip of the front spoiler. The spoiler has a few rock chips, and the side skirting on one side has a small groove, damage from shipping. Also, the Pininfarina logo is scraped and will need to be replaced. A lot of the pictures of Testarossas that I see show these parts in a contrasting black colour - looks satin, not gloss. Any idea what the factory spec is for this year? Has mine been colour switched to "modernize" the look, or did Ferrari start painting these parts body-colour at some point in the Testarossa's production? I am going to have these parts repaired over the winter, and just wanted some reaction to the two options. I like the look of the red-on-red, but the black spoiler appeals to me only because it's likely easier to touch-up if I get more rock chips in the future... and I will, this car is meant to be driven.
1991 was all red, the older ones had the front spoiler and side black. I think it was thru 88, not sure. http://www.auto-salon-singen.de/ferrari/Ferrari_Testarossa_91_r_s_06.jpg
Not all 1991 TR were one color (at least mine wasn't). My belief is that stock is black on the lower bits, but many have been repainted (maybe even "new" at the Dealer). It's not really a satin black IMO -- more of a semi-gloss (but definitely not gloss). Image Unavailable, Please Login
Sorry, I stand corrected. Every image I searched showed the 91 to be one color. Thanks 91TR. It must have been a select few, or as you say many were painted after the fact.
+1. My '91 had black on the spoiler and lower bits. Serial #88564 Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
So what do you guys think? Keep it red, or go back to the satin black? I'm thinking I prefer the black, judging from these pictures...
Frankly, I think it looks better on a 512TR where the coachwork design takes the single color effect into account. On a TR, the single color adds some bulk and dimension that isn't flattering IMO (e.g., the red body looks "thinner"/"sleeker" with the bottom bits black to my eye) -- but weight your own opinion by 99.9999% and mine by 0.0001%. One point I'd make is that the black still shows chips badly (since the underneath fiberglass is so lightly-colored).
Dear Ferraristi, All Testarossa models from 85 - 91 are lower trim colored in black. The confusion comes in that the 512 TR did come out in 1991. The 512TR has all the lower trim body colored. So if we talk "1991" one must refer to the specific model. I have one of the last Testarossas (series 2 brakes ) and has the lower trim in factory black. I prefer the trim in body color. It gives the car a more "hunkered-down" look. The black trim makes the car look a little long. I had a great time comparing my Testarossa to a 512 TR as we were next to each other at a concours in Sarasota FL. ....funny was that people (general public ) would come up to me and ask why the "other" Testarossa had a "odd" (512TR) number combination. As mentioned, the black is also tough to keep in perfect condition...mine is a daily driver. Shamile Freeze...Miami Vice !
Mine is an 87, black front spoiler, I have repaired the fiberglass, and gave it a shot of truck bed liner spray, looks very close to original in texture and color, no need to top coat with paint. Also very durable, if you figure it was intended for the bed of a pickup. Touch up is a breeze................just shield the other surfaces and give it a quick spray, blends nicely.
