Hi All, I am looking at buying a 'Stramann (sp?)' Testarossa convertible. My local dealer told me to stay away from it based on his experience with one other similar one, and called it an abortion. He said it flexes too much, and is harder to drive. Anybody here have an opinion? I'm going to do this in the next few days or so, so any experience feedback would be welcome.
I would not call them any harder to drive but they were very flexible. The workmanship was in my experience not very good. The part of the conversion that really disturbed me was the location of the fuel filler. It was under the engine cover directly over the exhaust manifolds on the left side. I always thought anyone doing engineering that dumb probably should not be trusted for the things that cannot be seen.
Does it have an X member attached to the frame underneath? Back in the 80s, Chevrolet had some Camaros "officially" converted into convertibles by an authorized aftermarket company. I saw a Camaro convertible for sale in a parking lot one day and stopped for a quick look. It DID have an X member attached to the frame, but it looked rather "after the fact" because it decreased the ground clearance of the car about an inch or so. It really looked like it had been tacked on without a whole lot of engineering thought put into it. Surely a Ferrari convertible conversion would have some kind of strengthening added to the chassis.
Some have bracing some do not. I have been told that Koneig would put a brace across the door opening like an F-40 but much higher. These cars were described as rigid as opposed to some others that were flexiflyers.
I just can't tsee how you could hack a Tr like that, being not factory you will have issues! Hell get a 348 spyder, looks to me like a mini Tr.. Not quite the h/p through!!
Oh...! Be still, my heart...! The Testarossa convertible is one of the most beautiful, exotic creations ever...! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
TR convertible has become the logical upgrade from my 348 spider - and I don't care how much it flexes, it will sound fantastic and I will look magnificent driving it. Not sure this helps.... Cheers Kevin edit: NNO - got any pix in TdF, Nart, or blue LeMans???
No doubt that they LOOK great. But,Ferrari's have enough "Issues" as it is....You wanna add on some more,that aren't even Factory Made? Plus,see what they look like with the Top Up.....Shades of the Roof on the 550 Barchetta....YUCK!!!! Yes,IMO,a 348 Spider would be a much better choice.(and I know where there is a Nice,recently Serviced,All Black 1994,Priced VERY Reasonable car right now,if you are interested.....Just "P/M' me if you are ...) Would look nice parked next to your Black 308.....
I'll have to settle for it in 1/8 scale. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I think the yellow one looks okay but would be better with roll hoops and fairings similar to those on a 360 spider. Anyone want to try a photo chop? The silver one is what I believe to be the ONLY factory built version. I like the rear deck on it better than the others but would still like the roll hoops and fairings to break up the expanse of the rear deck. What they did or didn't do to beef the chassis is unknown. I would be curious to find out. If I had the opportunity to buy one myself (already chopped (ruined)) the first thing I would do is put the car on a rotisserie. Open up the rocker panels and install thickwall Moly tubing inside the panels below the doors between the forward and aft cabin bulkhead/firewalls then run 2"x 4" rectangular tubing laid flat in an "X" inside the floor pan, front to back connecting to the rocker tubes. The last step would be to "X" brace the rear firewall. Losing the top would reduce the weight a little and the chassis reinforcement would add quite a bit back but it would easily be rectified with a supercharger kit from Mark E. As for a soft top. I have seen pictures of one with a 355 style top that looks quite good in the up position because of the buttresses on both sides. Even so, I would probably NEVER put the top up. I think the car looks good as a spider. It's one I think they should have built. Thats just me. I've never been one for convention and sometimes dare to be different. Besides, it would be a fun project. So why not a 348 or 355? It's got to be a 12 cylinder!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6212&item=4524249481&rd=1 What's the story on this car? It's been off & on EBAY for a while.
Thats the one with the 355 style top. Looks good but a convertible with BLACK interior? Fried buns and cracked leather on that one. Splined hubs too.
That's the one I'm looking at buying. I'll be going out there in a few days to see it. They said no cracked leather. We'll see.
Oh no, I didn't mean to imply that it was cracked but black leather doesn't do well under the sun for very long. Nothing a little strategic parking wouldn't help. If you have a PPI done be sure to take it to some one well versed in TR's that would be able to determine if reinforcements have been done to the chassis.
Yes I bought a Straman convertible SLUTMOBILE but she hasn't arrived yet so I am reduced to driving my F40 around South Beach Once the Slutmobile gets here it'll be a great excuse to buy that spiffy chartreuse tiger striped velvet suit I've had my eye on
