Testarossa.... single mirror..!!!

I can not speak for the Countach. But by the time that the Diabo was introduced the legislation had changed.

 

Let me look up the data . I think that I have two books that tell the same story about the initial high mirror. It is said that Pininfarina was not happy with it.
But it does not really matter does it? The design is absolutely magnificent! I was in the market for one for a long time. In the end I decided to go for a 512 TR. But one eye always keeps looking at these gorgeous one mirror Testarossa's.

 

Yes definitely rare! The cars are unique. The most beautiful Testarossa's ever made.

 

Ya... What he said !!
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Asymmetry is appealing. The single, high-mounted mirror has an appearance of functionality, else why would they put it there. More in line with several Group C racing vehicles of the day. Stark in its appearance, the incongruity catches one's attention.

I prefer the single mirror and center bolt wheel mount. More business like. "Just the facts, ma'am, just the fact" sort of statement.

Jim S.

 

Heck, look at the FXX, no mirrors at all, just a rear view camera.

 

This story about the laws is completely correct.

 

I love my one mirror car. I added a small mirror inside the cabin on a suction cup attached to the windshield that gives me a good idea what is in the blind spot....it helps...

 

I like the asymetrical single high mirror. You guys should check out the construction of the center interior mirror some time. It really is a unique piece of engineering and art. It appears to be a plain old mirror from the outside but when you open it up you notice that it is almost built like a parascope on a submarine. It creates some sort of lift effect that lets you see over the engine lid "chicklet" quite well. My side mirror vibrates so wildly above 80mph that it is pretty much useless so I generally only use the center mirror.

 

On the early TRs, the single high mirror, the center lock wheels, and the no mouse-trap seat belts are all "simply the best," and the way Enzo wanted it. They were my criteria when I bought my 86 TR then, and still are today.

 

Even though I love my '91 TR . . . I like that original mount. I can still remember when the TR was introduced with that single mirror . . . it just grabbed you.

 

Agreed, but don't forget that wide rear end ...
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It is the most exotic looking TR to me...

 

I'm also a TR lover (on my second one) and like the single mirror.....but prefere the dual low mounted mirrors. BUT...I like the manual seat belts much better than the later cars. And the single lug bolt wheels are much much better looking than the later 5-lug wheels. I actually kinda like it when someone puts another high-mounted mirror on the passenger's side too even though it's useless. I like the symmetry it gives the car. Bottom line is: No doubt those early TR cars have a LOT going for them...including more leg room since they don't have the "storage tray" section built into the dash right where your knees are supposed to be.

Actually I'm just a TR addict....they have their quirks....and many other fcar owners seem to look down on them. But if your gonna do a long high speed drive...there isn't much better. They have a mystique all their own. Remember when 5th Gear (British car show - excellent by the way) did their poll of what the most popular Ferrari was....and the populace said "Testarossa"? Boy that seem to ruffle some feathers of those high-brows in the sportscar world....but I think they should do a reality check. The TR is a great car that does many things very well....it is well rounded and versatile. It is NOT a single purpose car, but a very user friendly car for an exotic that is usalbe in many different circumstances.

I will always be proud to own one...and carry the Testarossa banner through thick and thin...

Viva La Testarossa...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

 

As art I think the high mirror is wonderful.

However, the first few times I drove the high mirror, it was useless to me. I never looked in the right place for the mirror. By the time I had figured out where it was it was really too late. So, first timers - BE CAREFUL. - After a while it got to be more nautal to look up.


The rear visbility is awfully good for a car of this type. I did not hear Franco say, "What's behind me is not important" when I was rear ended in my Mondial.

 

One of the things I had to get used to is that when I am making a left hand turn into a corner, say in a parking lot, the mirror hides pedestrians that may be crossing in front of me !

 

i remember this car appearing in various games when i was a child in the 90s... man everybody went crazy on it...

was the fastest car available at the time too...

for me it was right on there with the f50

has anybody seen the car scene in the glasshouse 2001 ...

man you gonna tell me that's the coolest thing ever?

 

The first Ferrari I ever saw in the metal was a single mirror Testarossa. One of the things that struck me the most was that mirror, which I had never before noticed in pictures I had seen. To me, it's part of what makes a Testarossa a Testarossa, as much a defining part of the car as the air intakes.

 

Drag.

Legally, up to recently, you needed 2 mirrors only in Europe.

In case of guaranteed internal rear vision, as in a sedan or normal coupe, the internal mirror counts as one, the driver's side as the second. That's the lowest drag option, and the least expensive one too.

In case of station wagons or panel vans that can be loaded to obstruct internal rear vision, the only way to guarantee 2 rear vision options was to mount another mirror on the passenger's side. That's why station wagons have had 2 wing mirrors for a looong time.

Additionally, the law stipulates that all mirrors must be adjustable from the driver's seat without leaving the normal driving position. Hence the early push-pull cable variety and later the appearance of electrically operated mirrors.

By the way, the Mondial 8 was first delivered with only one external mirror.

 

I guess I am not in the norm, I never liked the single high mount mirror. To me it always looked like an after thought not a part of the car. After hearing about the laws I now know this is true. It was an after thought to make it compliant. Anyway the TR is still one of my favorite cars of all time and I love them either way but prefer lower mounted driver and passenger side mirrors.

 

I bought an 1986 TR a couple of months ago and it was originally a "flying mirror car. The dealership changed it to a two mirror car after the owner complained of visibility. I am converting it back to a single mirror car now. My only problem with my restoration are those damn TRX wheels. Looked all over the planet and cant find a set of 16x8 and 16x10 knockoffs so I can replace the metric ones.

 

I bought my wheels one at a time. Took me about a year and a half to find it. The fronts are harder to find. I had to find one in germany off of german eBay.

You have to check, eBay, eBay UK, Ebay germany, and craigslist often. Some web searches too. There are national wheel refinishers out there too that sometimes have them in stock.

Also, the ferrari parts stores have them occasionally. You have to call around. I got a front from Motion Products Ferrariin Wisconsin. http://www.mpi-ferrari.com/html/about.html

 

You may remove the hubs from the metric wheels and get them adapted to aftermarket modern tire size wheels.