Hi Im taking my TR (1990) to Le Mans this year about 1200miles round trip for the 24hr Race. Iv done the trip twice before in my Mondial 8. I have not driven the car much since I bought it last year - (long story short - 2nd day of ownership- take off, wet road, spin, crunch). I would like some advice please on what to check on these cars before a long trip. Any common issues or non issues or peculiarities. Also what essential items to take .eg what essential tools. I think this could be a useful thread for others looking to ensure a trouble free long trip. Heres a picture of it outside my Mums house. Its the only car which she didnt say what did you buy that for??!! Andrew Image Unavailable, Please Login
I've taken my TR on several trips of 300 to 400 miles, but never 1200 miles - I commend you on your quest. I take the usual things you would take for any car. Spare tire, took kit, jack kit, flashlight, rags, fire extinguisher, some distilled water, spare bulbs, spare relays, a electrical multi-meter, some wire and terminals, and any other items I think I may need. I don't even think about using the factory tool kit, I pack some real tools, pliers, screw drivers, sockets, etc. I also take some towels and some quick detailer spray just in case something gets on the paint. I can pack a lot of the items down in the spare tire well underneath the spare, it's wasted space in there - so why not use it. It's better to be over-prepaired rather than under. Of course take a cell phone with you. I see you have 512TR wheels on your car. I believe these take longer lug bolts (with spacers) than the stock TR wheels, so you will want to pack 5 stock lug bolts somewhere just in case you have to put your spare wheel on. If anyone can think of anything else please speak up. Bottom Line is that after owning 2 Testarossas (I'm on my 2nd one) I have never been let down or stranded. These are really well built and dependable cars and just eat up the highway miles. They are very much at home at high speeds and you will be tempted to speed - but don't !!
Make sure you have a trailer hitch and a trailer for your luggage, change of cloths, etc... Regards, Art S.
Wow...I didn't notice the front fascia! Much better looking than the regular TR's nose, much more modern in appearance and it's symmetrical - I like it.
Dear Ferraristi, Ah ha ! Did y'all notice that he has changed the pininfarina testarossa badge for the 512 TR badge with the "PF" crest above ? Shamile Freeze...Miami Vice !
Maybe some of the body mods got done as part of the repairs after the little crunch he mentions? While I am usually very resistant to mods - (especially, the badge change), this is a very good looking car and in good tast IMHO. Now - in regard to the trip prep: I just finished my first road trip (500 miles, I posted it a week or so ago in Now It Can Be Told) in my 1986, and I will have to admit to all that I did absolutely nothing to prep for it other than check the air pressures and the oil level. I knew from the beginning that my alternator belt really needs a tightening but did not have time to get around to Norwoods before I left. What I did was to limit revs to about 5500, and not rev up much at all after first starting it to avoid stress on the belt. (I would have been high and dry up the creek if the alt belt had fragged on me...even though I had a spare. But it would have made a great chapter for the story). After thinking it over after making the trip with no mechanical issues, one thing came to me: People drive these 1000 miles between any special maintenance checks all the time - just so long as they are driving close to home. This involves starting it multiple times, lugging around in traffic, use of the clutch all the time, risking your bodywork in traffic, etc. For most of us, if something very bad happens close to our houses, it is still going to be a trip to the garage on a flatbed anyway. It almost makes a serene drive on the open road in 5th gear a very safe and relaxing experience. For me, the road trip was also a sort of Catharsis. (Car Catharsis, not that Black Ski Run)...time to get to know the car on a one to one basis, watching the scenery and the instruments instead of watching your back in the mirrors, etc. After a while a sort of trust will build and you will feel a lot more trust with this fine car. It really is well engineered and deserves to be put on the road - which is where it belongs. It sounds to me like the owner above should satisfy himself that all is reasonably well, consult the technician, and then just go for it. Probably he will be paid back in Zen points for the little mishap he mentions in the opening post. Good Luck, James
check all fluid levels including washer fluid,oil,tires pressure all lights(turn signals etc) pack any and all tools you think will be nessecary. I've personally driven a 86' testarossa for about 650km's and didn't have any problems except the air condition sucked and it was 40 degrees out! i'm sure you have a cell phone make sure it's charged with the number of a good mechanic programmed who will be able to diagnose any problems you may encounter as well as emergency road flares etc., and one more thing GOOD LUCK and HAVE FUN!
Check your maintenance log for gaps. When for example, were your front wheel bearings last repacked? If they are dry, they could fail on a long road trip. Anything more than 5 years - I'd want fresh grease in there. Timing belts? Could be painful..... Check the log. Rgds, Vince
Yes it has the front 512 nose as well. The last owner did these modifications (after hitting a street bollard whilst parking and damaging the front) and I think it suits the car well - I love all Ferraris but by no means a purist. I didnt notice the badge change the rear is original. The only other change (apart from the alloys) is a rosewood and leather Momo steering wheel - which to be honest Im not to sure about as my other F cars have the same black standard issue wheel of the 80s and 90s. When I had my crunch I basically I hit the curb and the rear alloy turned to dust! No major damage just very very embarrasing. Heres some pics of the front and back. I welcome all comments as Im still getting to know this Tipo and it will fast track my understanding of my car. One of the comments I have read is that a good long run improves the working of the car. I can testify to this as my Mondial 8 is always a better car after a few hundred miles on the Le Mans trip. I think its a combination of de coking, lots of fresh fuel and topping up with fresh oil and the car doing what it was designed to do at high revs. Thanks for the tips keep them up. PS I no longer have the aptly descriptive number plate! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Dear Ferraristi, Nice Pix ! Do the tags describe the car or you? BTW, why are you parked on the "wrong" side of the road? About the long trip, go for it! I drive my TR and VT roadster as daily drivers everyday. What I would do to prepare ( great advice already given ) is about a week before your trip, wash the underside really really well. A couple of days before your trip, jack up the car and see if there are any mystery leaks. This only applies if you're not alrealy "in touch" with the car. Shamile Freeze...Miami Vice !
What tire pressure are you guys running. I have the goodyear set up. manual advises 37 to 40 psi. I just checked mine yesterday and they were at 20 psi. reloaded to 37si front and rear. Is this the norm? Please advise. Robbie
