RE: Ferrari 512 TR: PH Fleet

[Kronstein]

cortell said:

chevronb37 said:

I saw this on Twitter y'day and offered Chris an original 512TR sales pamphlet to go with his new car (I wasn't expecting any money for it - just be nice for it to be united with a TR). Never even acknowledged me.

Unbelievable.

Have you apologised yet or do you need your own entry in the 'knob' thread?

It was a really neat original gesture - I wouldn't be so hard, the guy was just a bit disappointed he didn't get a response.

(On the iPhone Twitter app, if you click on the "@" tab, you see all the tweets sent to you /OTOH v. easy to miss something if you're not looking for it...)

Really looking forward to the video.

[Krikkit]

Kronstein said:

(On the iPhone Twitter app, if you click on the "@" tab, you see all the tweets sent to you /OTOH v. easy to miss something if you're not looking for it...)

Very easy to miss imo.

[Kronstein]

Krikkit said:

Kronstein said:

(On the iPhone Twitter app, if you click on the "@" tab, you see all the tweets sent to you /OTOH v. easy to miss something if you're not looking for it...)

Very easy to miss imo.

Indeed, although if I do that with a client's initial enquiry, they're not happy!

(There's also the pretty girl/celeb syndrome so much attention all the time its impossible to deal politely with it all the time/manage more than a small sample of requests/contacts etc... I'm sure that isn't the case with Chris but he couldn't reply to every question on here or he would get no work done!!)

[Justices]

GusB said:

Justices said:

Top move. I thought the TR was a fairly large car, but next to a 599 they look tiny. Wishing you many happy miles!

It is wider....

512 TR

Wheelbase 2,550 mm (100.4 in)[5]
Length 4,485 mm (176.6 in)[5]
Width 1,976 mm (77.8 in)[5]
Height 1,130 mm (44.5 in)[5]

599

Wheelbase 2,750 mm (108.3 in)
Length 4,665 mm (183.7 in)
Width 1,962 mm (77.2 in)
Height 1,336 mm (52.6 in)

Interesting to see they are indeed slightly wider. The height, length and large wheels of the 599s I saw sitting next to a TR made it look positively nimble. Granted, this snapshot doesn't really show the difference very well

[Roop]

Congrats Monkey - Look forward to updates on this and some videos to boot, if only for the noise.

[alexwagner]

A crazy Swiss guy has built a miniature running 512TR flat 12 engine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzPvPowrm6M
Big respect.

[suffolk009]

[redacted]

[carnut360]

I had the same idea having seen one at brooklands and bought this one..was well received at the local FOC!

not sure how many RHD made but seems to be between 50 and 88,

oh and the blue smoke always happens on startup, according to 2002 evo mag which reviewed it, apparently due to oil collecting in the valve openings..

hope you like it..i love mine and the sound of the v12..its awesome!

[MitchT]

Superb. Please do a very long video diary!

[chevronb37]

Chris Harris said:

chevronb37 said:

I saw this on Twitter y'day and offered Chris an original 512TR sales pamphlet to go with his new car (I wasn't expecting any money for it - just be nice for it to be united with a TR). Never even acknowledged me.

Unbelievable.

Didn't see the tweet sadly. If you're off-line on an iPhone for long enough you don't get all the tweets you missed. Kind offer, sad you immediately assumed I was a wrong 'un.

Sorry, Chris, my flippant tone was in the style of Alan Partridge - no wrong 'un assumptions at all.

If you'd like the pamphlet - it's not a full sales brochure but it's the genuine article from Maranello Sales in Egham back in the 1990s - drop me a PM. I'd be genuinely delighted for it to be united with a car.

Little story behind it...

I did a school project on Ferrari when I was 9 y/o so we visited Maranello Sales to help with my research. Realising my enthusiasm, I was treated very kindly by the sales manager, who at that time was a chap called Tony Willis. He gave me bundles of memorabilia including brochures and posters. Best of all, he took me out for a ride in a 512TR, which was the flagship model at the time. I still have photos of the day - me in my Ferrari jacket and cap like a massive geek.

I never forgot his kindness so when he was recently profiled in Octane magazine I looked him up and sent him an e-mail. He sent a nice response back. He is now Ferrari Classiche's man in the UK - really cool job and a top bloke.

[Evo]

Turbolader said:

Evo said:

B842MPB, don't ask me why but I've never forgotten the reg number of the press Ferrari Testarossa that was used in 84, perhaps it was being an impressionable 10 year old and my first bedroom wall poster car.

Just such an epic car, now all we need is a

CHIS HARRIS VIDEO, please and thank-you

I have a framed poster in the loft of a Countach and a Testarossa on a beach - free with my Uncle's CAR magazine subscription at the time. It used to be up on my bedroom wall as a kid, for many years - my dream car.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/byewords/6735497141/

The Testarossa wore that numberplate, and I seem to remember it was written off a few days after the shoot. It seemed such a shame - one less chance to own one when I grew up.

Found link to editor's comment:

http://postimg.org/image/snn4nilf1/

You're right it was, the original article was riddle of the sands which was re-named riddle of the prangs as the Lamborghini was never seen. Can you tell I didn't read comics as a child, I had Autocar, Fast lane instead lol

[fatbutt]

Mavican said:

Look similar. Drive compleltley differently - beacuse on the TR your point C is lower. That's quite a serious modification..

How'd they manage that given that the flat 12 sits on top of the gearbox in both? That's a high CoG arrangement which will be the case regardless of suspension. Same thing was the issue with the 308/ 328 (transverse with gearbox below) which was revised in the 288/ 348/ etc. (traditional longitudinal arrangement).

[DanielSan]

More people need to buy supercars to use not just bloody garage. Despite not being a huge fan of it's looks I applaud the reason for the purchase.

[Evo]

The original single mirror halfway up the A pillar is just perfect Italian engineering.

[Hellbound]

Paul O said:

Hellbound said:

Hawwwwwww YEAH!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UmOY6ek_Y4

I see your video and I raise you, with this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMfbMoJnY5g

That blouse....it's silk....and so...effeminate.

[Coatesy351]

I know many people wont like this but I've all ways wanted one of these. Maybe with just the standard interior. I'm not keen on the hideous colour co-ordinated one they allways seem to have. Did any 512 TR's get done or only Testarossa's? [url]

|http://thumbsnap.com/9cXP5YHq[/url]

[GusB]

Justices said:

Interesting to see they are indeed slightly wider. The height, length and large wheels of the 599s I saw sitting next to a TR made it look positively nimble. Granted, this snapshot doesn't really show the difference very well

Nice pair... I always assumed the 599 was the biggest car Ferrari ever made (I certainly wouldn't want anything bigger), however when I saw it with a 512TR it did look narrowed which was a surprise...

Will be interested to hear how Chris feels about the differences around UK roads...

GusB

[bobzdar]

It came down to f355 vs. 512TR for me and I went with the f355. There are few days that I regret that decision as the car is sublime, but today is one of them. My heart pangs for a 512TR, I still have the poster that was on my wall as a kid...

[errek72]

rubystone said:

Odd coming from a guy who loves Italian cars....

I know, right? I can't think of any Italian car I like less. A third series Punto maybe.
Perhaps I am just feeling for the 512 Maranello took one of their prettiest cars ever -the BB- and put wrong eighties sunglasses and padded shoulders on it. Ugh. The only worse car "evolution" was going from Alfa 75 to 155. I think.

[GranCab]

errek72 said:

rubystone said:

Odd coming from a guy who loves Italian cars....

I know, right? I can't think of any Italian car I like less. A third series Punto maybe.
Perhaps I am just feeling for the 512 Maranello took one of their prettiest cars ever -the BB- and put wrong eighties sunglasses and padded shoulders on it. Ugh. The only worse car "evolution" was going from Alfa 75 to 155. I think.

I admire Chris's driving ability and journalism and some of the cars he owns/has owned ... and now he has bought a red Ferrari therefore his fanboys will not have a word said against it ...