http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6212&item=2473153898&rd=1 I noticed a couple of odd things with this 1988 Testarossa listed on ebay. I'm assuming it is a Euro car for sale in the US. The things that look out of place or unusual to me are: Stock single lug wheels but tires are something other than TRX No side marker lights at front and rear. Does have one small one near door. Partially painted front spoiler Painted rear emblem Front emblem Engine cover does not have center stop light No rear bumperettes sticking out of the back of the bumper Front grill blinker lenses are amber and white instead of all amber Red crinkle painted air box Just curious, are all Euro cars like this? Also, this is a 16 year old car that still has the original timing belts. I sure would like to know what kind of tires they have on those old style wheels.
I don't have any specific info. in front of me at the moment, but the VIN number will tell the car's original destination. I know this doesn't help much though......
The 4 zeros in a row in the VIN indicate it is a Euro. The painted airbox cover is disgusting (sorry) and not stock. The emblems are also painted - Is there even suppossed to be a front horse?
This is an early 88 before they switched over to the 88.5 spec that changed the suspension arms, wheels, etc. that were carried through to later years. The serial number xxx75xxx also points to it being an early 88. Steve 88.5 TR
I believe the single-lug TR wheels come in both metric and 16" diameters so that can explain the non-TRX tires. Certainly looks a little ratty under the hood for a sub-6K mile car (e.g., the "spliced" crankcase vent line). It must also have the "GB" version exhaust because you don't see the silencer thru the rear grill. The "B" in the eighth digit of the VIN identifies it as a "LHD for European market" (but the "A" in the fifth digit seems a little wacky). Agree that the large red front cavallino is terrible -- yuk... What's really surprising is that the seller wants more than $60K -- I'd be laughing all the way to the bank
>I believe the single-lug TR wheels come in both metric and 16" diameters so that can explain the non-TRX tires. Yep. Pre 88.5 were metric, so I guess that an 88 might have either.
Like Steve said, the "B" in the eight digit means that it is a European car, LHD. The "A" in the fifth digit represents the restraint system (3-point inertia belts with auto retractors for front) and is normal for all non-US Testarossas, plus the very early (1985) US versions. The small side marker light near the door is also a sign that it's a European model. Same story with center stop light: this never appeared on Euro versions and was introduced on US versions in 1986. Bumperettes are only on US versions and on Japanese versions. And yes, the white and amber lenses are also correct for European versions, although French versions have yellow lights. The painted stuff and the additional emblems are not original. For more information, please check my website: http://www.red-headed.com (-> articles -> Testarossa -> Versions) And before I forget it, it's indeed one of the last Testarossas with single nut wheels ... Grtx, Edvar
Hi gents, about the testarossa: - Its 100% sure an european testa! - Its NOT one from Switzerland, Sweden or U.K! - The VIN is wrong displayed!!!!! - The 8 digit is NOT a 8 (eight) its B !!!!! - Have a closer look to the pic More infos about testarossa VIN`s for the european market are here: http://www.red-headed.com/articles/testarossa_versions.html Regards Wolfgang
Hi Edvar, just saw your post a bit too late....you are so fast and thats an awesome great & helpfull web-site!!!!
Thanks Wolfgang!! ;-) And for those who want to know a bit more about VIN decoding: http://www.red-headed.com/articles/vin.html Grtx, Edvar
I mis-spoke there -- I should have said the "A" in the fourth digit seemed strange, but the VIN decoder on the FCA-NWR site obviously isn't as complete as the one on Edvar's site so it only listed the 308 application.
Wouldn't it be odd to put US 16 inch wheels on a Euro Car rather than metric wheels that take the TRX tires. I find it odd that my US car has metric wheels rather than 16 inch wheels.
Exactly what I plan to do. Purchased a set of "original" US wheels and plan to send them off for refurbishment. Then will put them on my Euro TR, and put the "original" metric ones on the shelf. For the time being, I still have plenty of tread / life on the existing TRX's, so will keep them mounted until they are expired.
That red air box is uuuuuuuuugly!!!! Also, that stereo has GOT to go. Come on, sub woofers in a TR!? TR in da hood.
How do you identify that a TR is for sure an 1988.5 as oppossed to a 1988? I know the wheels are different, but is there a more accurate identification method in the VIN?
My understanding is that it is the wheel/suspension changes that differentiates a "1988" from a "1988.5" TR, but, yes, the VIN would tell you because: SN 75996 and before are the single-lug wheels. SN 75997 and after are the 5-lug wheels.
OK Steve - Your answers are always right on, so here is another question for you - How do you match the VIN # of the car to the engine? There is an identification plate on the engine, but that doesn't seem to correspond to the engine. I know I saw on my 328 an actual VIN # tag.
Steve, please note that the "75996/75997" rule is only for US versions. I believe European cars got the 5-lug wheels a bit earlier. Besides that, it happens quite a lot that "Ferrari information" is not completely correct. So, just look at the wheels to make sure
Of course, you're right Edvar -- I should have indicated that that SN change-over was from the US TR SPC 587/90, and know that one must always allow for some flexiblity in the documentation vs the reality "How do you match the VIN # of the car to the engine" -- I think the short answer is that you don't. I believe the best you can do is verify the "engine family type" for the model/version on any of the post 17-digit VIN F models. Edvar's actually got a great listing for TR version -to- engine family table on his site at www.red-headed.com -- Articles -- Versions (shows that a "euro TR" can be quite a varied thing ). "I know I saw on my 328 an actual VIN # tag" -- I don't know the label-ology of 328s, but I'd be very surprised if it went beyond matching engine family type to VIN -- i.e., if it also had the actual SN of the engine matched to the VIN -- but that's just my guess. For TRs, I haven't found any, or come across any reference to, VIN to engine SN linkage.
Wow, I'm surprised the TR engine doesn't have the VIN on it - You here so much about # matching cars. The 328 actually had a metal plate on it that displayed the VIN #. I'll try & get a pick this weekend - It was on the bottom of the engine somewhere - Not 100% I can get a pic of it, but I will give it a shot.
Jerry, if I have to guess what the engine number of your TR would be, I would guess type F113A040 and number near 11100. But that's just a stupid wild guess Regarding "matching numbers", that only refers to classic cars. I believe the Daytona was the first type where the engine number was not equal to the chassis number. As far as I know, no modern Ferraris have engine numbers which are equal to the chassis number. I'm quite curious about the VIN plate on the 328 engine. This is also new for me, although I wouldn't be too surprised. It might be related to the place where the car was sold new. I mean, a Californian 328 would have different decals and plates than cars delivered to other states.
Thanks guys - I have seen that ID plate on the TR, I'll check it out. On the 328, I'll make sure to take a pic - It's news to me that newer Ferraris don't have matching #'s.
