The Gold Connector Kit and My TR...

It took me almost 5 years of searching for the right Testarossa to finally find the love of my life . I bought my 88.5 after an exhaustive search. My car was originally owned by Billy Joel(no worries, there were no accidents ) but that wasn't what attracted me to pull the trigger. The gentleman that I bought my car from was a great guy, a true enthusiast who took care of the car extremely well and knew his way around exotic cars. He also told me that it took him around 3-4 years of searching for a TR before he finally found this one.

After examining the extensive maintenance records(no expense spared by quality first rate Mechanics not just money blindly thrown at the wrong shops who do half the work on the invoice) and detailed pictures, I proceeded to send her for a full PPI. To which the owner agreed to without even asking for a deposit. After the PPI, my mechanic told me that it was the best TR he had ever seen. In fact, he would not hesitate to purchase it himself. I sent the check out that day and she arrived home soon after.

My TR is perfect for me and has treated me extremely well in the 4 and 1/2 years that I have owned her. Those members that think it is sacreligous to swap the black Cavallino in the rear for one made with chrome might not like the mods on my car but as I say, "To each his own". She is perfect for me.

88.5 Rossa Corsa with 16 K miles
New HRE 505's Vintage Series Wheels with Michelin Pilot Tires
Custom Norwood Carbon Fiber Rear Deck Lid Color coded Rossa Corsa to match the exterior
Custom Daytona Interior Completed by Ferrari Authorized Shop(Seats, headliner, dash, doors, Carpet etc.)
Capristo Exhaust
Scuderia Fender Shields
Custom Sound System
Aluminum Racing Pedals
and yes...thanks to Mr. Chairman a rear Chrome Cavallino

I did not start this thread to boast about my car but to provide a little background on her for the sake of expressing that I would never do anything to her that would detract or undermine in anyway, all of the work that went into finding and keeping her in pristine form.

After reading many threads on Dave Helm's upgrades for the TR, I decided to start with the Fuse Box Upgrade Kit which I completed in January of this year. I never had any problem with the 6 major components the kit was designed to help but I wanted to be proactive and was extremely pleased with the end result. After the fuse box upgrade, I made a mental note to also do his gold connector kit sometime in the next year. I didn't think that it was a rush because my TR was running perfectly and Jim McGee just completed a service on her. When Robbie(Mr. Chairman) came to my house the other day, I asked him what effect if any did the gold connector kit have on his car. He threw me the keys and said, "See for yourself". Here is the key, I had driven his TR before he installed the kit but never got a chance to fire her up and take her for a spin after the install, so I was curious to see if I would notice a difference. I test drove his car on a Sunday and despite having a plethora of things on my "To Do List", I ordered the Gold Connector Kit the next day. Yes, the before and after performance of Mr. Chairman's car was that profound.

I believe my actual words while driving Robbie's TR were "Holy S@*t!!". It felt like I was driving a completely different car. She felt like a thourough bred race horse, chomping at the bit, seething to be released. Robbie had always referred to his car as "The Bi*ch" and I have always reprimanded him to treat her with more respect. After the test drive, I got it! I understood his line of reasoning and began calling her, "The Whore"

After our high performance excursion, I popped the hood to check the gold connectors myself. The connections were clean, tight and did not obstruct any of the other surrounding components. The design seemed to be very well thought out and everything was compartmentalized as if straight from the factory. While viewing Robbie's engine bay, a thought came to my mind. Our TR's are closing in on their 25th birthday. For some, the quarter century mark has already passed. I wanted to give my girl a present, a gift for the happiness she has provided me with in the four plus years of ownership that I have gratefully enjoyed. I believe that the best part about this present is that it will be the gift that keeps on giving. I have always lived by the adage, "Take care of her and she will take care of you". I called Dave the next day and ordered the Supreme Gold Connector Kit.

I will continue this thread as I receive my kit and do the install and as always, I will be brutally honest with my experience. I respect Dave and the work he has done in bringing these components to the market. My car is a pristine example of what I believe a TR should be. She drives perfectly and I have never had an issue with her. I would never venture off the beaten path if I didn't think there would be a rainbow at the end of the tunnel. I believe the rainbow in this story leads to a pot of gold as well- one fashioned in Dave Helm's Connector Kit.

Best Regards to all and I thank everyone for all of their posts throughout the years who have helped me realize what was once just a dream.

 

First,
want to thank everyone for the kind words and props. Pictures are on it's way my friends. At the time Bell installed the interior I was told that their shop was one of only a handful of shops in the USA that were factory authorized by Ferrari for interior work. They repaired the Enzo that Eddie Griffith wrecked. The work was paid for by the previous owner and the cost was astronomical. I believe it is the only TR with this combination. The Cavallino is embossed and raised in the headrests of the seats. My TR also came with custom made Assanti Chrome Rims which I will be putting up for sale soon. The owner of Assanti was his next door neighbor. The sound system was custom designed as well and integrated with and completed along with the design of the new interior. Between the cost of the custom rims/tires/interior/sound system and exhaust, the prior owner could have bought another TR. I was fortunate to come along when I did.

Second, want to thank Robbie for his post - my sentiments are 100 % the same back my brother. Robbie is a stand up guy(and I don't use that word loosely) who is the first one there to lend a hand or have an open ear when issues arise. He too, has a beautiful wife, son and pooch. Our families have bonded very well and it's always a great time when we all get together. We are going to have a blast putting the Gold Connector Kit together. Then it's off for some Lobster.....Yeah Buddy Boy!!!

Hopefully, Dave remembers to put in a Scuderia Rampante cap LOL.