Hi All, I am looking at buying a 'Stramann (sp?)' Testarossa convertible from a (non-Ferrari) dealer in St. Louis. Scott at Continental 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. I will be having a PPI done, since there are no records with the car, as this dealer bought it at some high-line auction in Florida. 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.
First of all I totally love the look of a TR Spider. Purists see that differently of course. But look at the more popular culture represented e.g. in the Video Game Outrun (not that this is the measure of all things) where the TR Spider is the center piece. No wonder, because the lines are so flowing. That's all down to personal preference of course, but I don't like a 308 Spider nor a BBi Spider (all exist) nor a Mondial Spider for that matter. But a TR Spider looks cool IMHO. The question about the flex is obvious, although I have read somewhere that the TR really didn't need much of its "hoop" for stability. Not sure that is true though. However I remember back in the eighties a good friend of mine who bought a TR brandnew from Ferrari just to have it shipped directly to Koenig (another German tuner) to have it turned into a Spider. I also have Koenig documentation and a promotional video about the car and it is gorgeous beyond belief (aside from the fact that Koenig also gave it twin turbos). Also for what it's worth I have seen the Norwood TR Targa conversion. Nice, but not as cool, but Norwood did play with the engine. So the fact that Koenig and Norwood beef up an already strong engine on weakened chassis would indicate that there is some wiggle room to play with its structural integrity. As far as the driving is concerned: How difficult can it be? I have driven a TR and it is a piece of cake, so make that harder and it is still a walk in the park. The car has so much Ueber power you don't even need to shift. Do a search on FChat as this topic has been discussed. My gutt feeling is: Get it and enjoy it. After all you probably don't want to track a convertible to begin with so what is it good for? Pleasure cruises along Lake Shore and some high speed run on the interstate and I bet it will be strong enough for that. Just like my convertible.
Sean. Is that the '87 Red/Tan that they had at Schmitt & Co in St.Louis? I was kind of checking out that car a couple months ago. At that time,I believe that they were asking High $50's for it. But,I changed my mind. First,I want something newer than an '87. Second,the Flexibility and Safety issues kind of overpowered my thought of how cool it looked. Third. Resale. VERY Limited market. And,if, (When,really...it's only a matter of time) Testarossa's go up and up in Value, (They only CAN go Up...I think they've hit Rock Bottom now. Once more people realize that they can get an extremely Cool,Very Exotic,12 CYLINDER FERRARI,for alittle more than a new 'Vette. And,when the Generation that grew up lusting after them,especially after watching Miami Vice starts coming into play...They will be more sought after,thus,going up and up and up in value.) But,will a chopped car do the same? Personally I don't think so. Right now,you can buy Late '60's-early '70's 365GTB/4 Daytona's for around $125K-$135K. REAL 365GTS/4 Daytona Spiders are up to around a Half Million $$. But,you can find "Spider Conversions" cars-Real Ferrari Daytona's,but chopped,in the $150K range. There has been one For Sale in Hemmings for a very long time,right now. So,unless you plan on keeping it and don't care about Resale,then It shouldn't make a difference. It is all up to you. But,Ferrari's have enough,ummm,"Issues" as it is. Getting one thats been Chopped Up,with who knows what kind of Bracing....New Ball Game... Good Luck!
I Know where there is a really nice,Triple Black,348 Spider. Recently Serviced. Priced VERY Reasonably. At a price that would not allow any more depreciation...It sure would look nice parked next to your Black 308.
This is from Schmitt in St. Louis, but it is an 88 red/black car, 28K miles, mid $60s. I've already worked out a trade deal with them (it won't be parked next to my black 308...). I haven't been out there yet, but they tell me it has extra structural support. There is no Ferrari dealer out there, so I am trying to see if I can rent one the mechanics from Continental for a day to come with me to do a PPI. I plan on keeping this one forever, so resale isn't as important, it's the styling that I crave, and even though my Porsche 996 is faster, I dreamed of this car as a kid (along with the Countach). My wife actually loves this car, so she's all for it, she calls it the Barbie car. Well, I think it looks both sexy and violent at the same time. There are no records though, as they bought it at a high-line auction. I like it better than a coupe, and I think it would be an interesting piece at the shows, purists or not, plus I need the open air for joining in on the drives...
Screentime- 1. I too think they look great, and have read discussions of flexibility. BY ALL MEANS TALK TO MIKE SHEEHAN FIRST! I believe he may have done one/some, and knew R. Straman. He would know the truth. 2. There have been numerous negative opinions posted on this board re Schmitts....."check your six" 3. Best of luck!! James
In regards to resale I think the same will happen to this car as to the modified Daytonas: It doesn't matter. You pay today about the same money for a GTB Daytona as for a converted one. So the costs of the modification are lost. As cool as a TR is, it will never be a very rare Ferrari, but it will get its price up a bit. So whether you converted it or not, won't matter. The costs of the conversion will be lost as well, but you won't have to sell it for less.
Sean, Here's the contact for Michael Sheehan, I'd make sure I talked to him, he has a lot experience with this modification- http://www.ferraris-online.com/Articles/articleindex.shtml All the best Norm
I know this has been hashed and rehashed... but if you have the VIN #, can't you have Continental see if it has been serviced at a dealer before? Won't CarFax give you dates and locations of registrations? If "Atlanta" pops up, call FOA, see if it has been serviced there, or if they ever saw it before. Mid 60's seems like a lot for a Testarossa with NO records. Assume it has never been serviced. Or... post it in the general forum. Lets face it, a Testarossa convertible is a rare bird... someone out there has seen it before!
My first choice to call would be Bill Badurski, he knows the TR well and is very well versed in the Daytona conversions, and most likely would know what to look for in this car. He could do the PPI also
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6212&item=4524249481&rd=1 How can you say no to this? Gosh is she beautiful or what! Forget the flexing, just imagine a sunny Summer day on Lake Shore Drive. If you get the car, I'll make you a 1/18 version of it.
Sean: I would stay away from a TR Convt. TR! No way would I go near that. I would not compromise handling just to have a covt. Not worth it..Always go coupe especially in a Ferrari! Vince C.
doesn't that guy that races the silver testarossa have the Ex- mike tyson Testarossa......ask him how his handles
Sean, this is Tom. Greeting from S.E. Asia First of all.....DO NOT BUY THIS CAR. I repeat "DO NOT BUY THIS CAR". I had interests in this car couple months ago (there was a thread). I bid them $56 and was countered at $57. Thankfully, some info. become available before I went forward with the purchase. My cellphone number is 011-84-904423922. I won't return home for another couple weeks but you are welcome to call. It's 13 hours ahead here but I am available 24/7. Good luck Regards,
More bad news: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?p=134712334#post134712334 I still think a car like this would be great to have, but not this particular one. Makes me wonder whether they'll ever find a buyer at this price given the power of the internet. The Ferrari community is a small world after all. Edit: The plot thickens, the other way round this time. Interesting nevertheless.
O.K. I looked through my Notebook,and that IS the same car that I was considering a few Months ago. (I think I might have mentioned something about it to Andreas a couple months ago) Yes,I decided to stay away from it,too. It doesn't take much more than an Acetylene Torch,and some Filing,Sanding and a little Bondo to make any Car into a Convertible. But,then theres the Structural Integrity of a Vehicle that had gone through Considerable "R & D",AT THE FACTORY,before it was finally decided upon to be built the way it was. Then,there's the issue of the Convertible top...Is this one of those that makes it look like a "Kit Car",(Crappy) with Buttons to attach it to the body,and that will blow off over 70 MPH...IF the Car doesn't shake you to Death at that speed....WAY too many "IF'S" and "BUT'S" here,IMO.... But,if I can ever find a REAL,Nice,Quality Straman Conversion Car,I would consider it. But,not this one. I would also consider a NICE 400i/412i Conversion.... Or,get a Mondial Cab.,and drop it off at Norwood for some serious engine work....
