Testarossa testdrive

Guys,

I will testdrive a '91 Testarossa next week. The car looks in an immaculate condition, has 37000km on the clock and had it's major service two years ago. I will ask for a PPI at one of the Belgian Ferrari dealers, but what must I look for myself? What can I expect from the gearbox and differential? Are there any notorious things that I should know?

Thanks.

Ton

 

And another question is: Did only the '88/'89 Testarossa's have a black cavallino at the rear grill?
I am asking because the '91 TR that I will testdrive has a black cavallino at the rear.

 

Every Testarossa has a black cavallino on the rear grill.
The 512TR's have a silver cavallino on BOTH the front and rear grill.

The major service 2 years ago was engine out for new belts? Where? Official dealership? Belgian car? Might know which Testa you are referring to. For a PPI I can highly recommand the place where I bought the 308 last year. Or FMA, they have a '91 on sale as well...

Good luck, let us now the development.

All the best,
Joren

 

Ton -- Is it a F113B engine family TR (KE-Jet without Lambda and no cats) or something else? Is the wheel size issue (415mm vs 16") important for you?

Joren -- You should say: "all TR came originally from the factory with black" -- many of us have changed
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Or : Every Testarossa HAD a black cavallino on the rear grill.

I know but thanks anyway Steve. Maybe I am too much a leave it as it came from the factory type af guy.

Cordiali saluti,
JR

 

Steve,

Thanks for the picture. It sure looks a lot nicer with the silver cavallino.

 

Ton, there is the silver, and some people upgrade it to the 512tr chrome looking one. If it has the blk, or the silver one I think it looks better. The chrome one imo doesnt look right.

If the belts were done 2 yrs ago, make sure the bearings were done for the belts(those are just as important as the belts) and make see if the water pump was rebuilt or if its new. Also ask if the valves were rebalanced or retuned.

Good luck.

 

Mike,

Thanks for the info.
The waterpump and clutch were replaced 1 yr ago. At this moment I am trying to get a copy of the original bill of the engine out service. That should tell me exactly what they have done.
The worst case scenario is that I negotiate a bit harder on the price and have a new major service performed. In that case I am sure that the engine is fine.

Ton

 

Try and listen for a whining gearbox noise from the rear of the car - if so, it could be the differential going bad. They are very expensive - $5,000 to $8,000US. This is pretty common with the TR.

 

I am following this tread with lots of interest.

 

on my 91TR I chromed the rear cavalino and mount a new one on the front grill like the 328. they are available thru
"black emporium" for $ 56.00 chromed.
sure makes the car look nicer.

be sure that the drop gear oil has been changed too!!!. I use synthetic 75/90 and works well even in my F40LM
good luck
Roland
F40LM
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Thanks for the comments.
I am not sure if I will be able to hear the whining sound of a bad differential. Most probably I will be overwhelmed by the sound of the engine alone.
But I want the local Ferrari dealership to perform a PPI before I buy. Will they look at the differential? What exactly will they look at when they perform a PPI?

Roland,

I also like the looks of the silver/chrome cavallino. It suits the large black grill in a nice way. Wolfgang also has one on his '91 TR. Can you send me a link where I can order them?

This picture nicely shows the difference.
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Ton -- I believe Roland's rear cavallino is the same as mine -- FD/12 here:

http://www.black-barts.com/page5.html

110mm, chrome, sculpted (not flat)

 

Ton,
I have an idea which car you'll be driving!!
It's located close to my home (i live in Mol)!
Know the dealer a bit! If you need some info?
When will you be driving the car? If you wanna meet up?

Guy

 

Roland I like the chromes on the wheels, but I have to disagree with the painting of the bottom piece of the car. For some reason does not look right to me. I like the black orginal. I wonder how those chromes would look on my car?
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IMO painting the lower side skirt and front valence along with different wheels makes the car about 6 years younger

 

I agree that it makes the car look a bit more modern. But I als agree that it looks a bit funny. During my search for a Testarossa in the last few months I usually did not bother to look at the cars that were repainted. I don't know why. Maybe I missed a couple of good ones because of this.

 

Ton,
You have PM back!

 

Guys,

Thanks for all the inputs. From today I am the new proud owner of a beautiful '91 Testarossa.
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Congrats ... She is a beaut

 

Congrats!!

 

AWESOME !! what color is the interior ?

I like the cleaner look of the Euros. No gaudy black rear rubber bumper, no side marker lights and no 3rd brake light.

Congrats and good luck.

 

Way to go that car looks great, I am jealous!!!!

 

Enjoy in good health !!

Hope it brings you the happiness you are looking for !!

All the best !! Shes a beaut.

 

Thanks for the nice comments.
Although I also love the '85 single mirror model I chose for this '91 model. The interior is black. The driverseat has a little bit of patina but the rest of the interior is in a perfect condition. I will post more pictures in the showroom section when she arrives in January.
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