Will there ever be love for the Testarossa?
Discussion
With 365/512BB values at around £80-90K, will the Testarossa, which shares the same layout & high C of G flaw, ever find appreciation among the tifosi? At £35-£40K am I wrong to think that they're at the bottom of the curve & can only go up? I'll concede that the 355 & 360 are better driving cars for similar money, but from the sense of occasion & pride of ownership perspectives the 12-cylinder machine seems to have much to offer. It has presence & at half of Countach money - it offers value. Or am I barking up the wrong tree & these cars will never be seen as a classic, just one of Ferrari's mistakes?
I wonder whether it will forever be tarnished with the association with Miami Vice? You know, cheesey.
Edit: Not that the above is my opinion - I meant that it may be an inhibitor to "mass" appeal and the resultant increase in value. If that makes sense.
Edit: Not that the above is my opinion - I meant that it may be an inhibitor to "mass" appeal and the resultant increase in value. If that makes sense.
Edited by Landlord on Wednesday 27th October 10:06
Difficult one to call.
I hankered after one since my teens, but was put off by thoughts of buying into a bottomless pit of problems. In 2005, I was in the New Forest and happened to walk into Meridien Modena. They had a stunning 10K, 1992 K plate car for sale. As it was a main dealer selling it, and it was a car that they owned, it gave the confidence I needed, so I bought it there and then.
It certainly had a lot of presence, but the design was really showing its age. Towards the end, I was pleased that I had satisfied my craving, but was happy to move it on.
Fast forward 5 years, and rather strangely, I find myself looking at these again. Values have edged up a bit over the last few years. I suspect that some of this is down to people being priced out of Countach’s and looking for an alternative icon of that era. I am not sure that these will gain much love, but there is some investment potential.
I hankered after one since my teens, but was put off by thoughts of buying into a bottomless pit of problems. In 2005, I was in the New Forest and happened to walk into Meridien Modena. They had a stunning 10K, 1992 K plate car for sale. As it was a main dealer selling it, and it was a car that they owned, it gave the confidence I needed, so I bought it there and then.
It certainly had a lot of presence, but the design was really showing its age. Towards the end, I was pleased that I had satisfied my craving, but was happy to move it on.
Fast forward 5 years, and rather strangely, I find myself looking at these again. Values have edged up a bit over the last few years. I suspect that some of this is down to people being priced out of Countach’s and looking for an alternative icon of that era. I am not sure that these will gain much love, but there is some investment potential.
I had the chance to drive one both on track and the street a number of years ago and to be honest was not that impressed. On track it was all over the place and not actually that quick. On the road it was just a little embarrassing because of the very 80's looks. There were a lot more people laughing at me rather than admiring me. The last straw came when an attractive young lady at a petrol station asked if it came with the optional chest wig 
Landlord said:
I wonder whether it will forever be tarnished with the association with Miami Vice? You know, cheesey.
Edit: Not that the above is my opinion - I meant that it may be an inhibitor to "mass" appeal and the resultant increase in value. If that makes sense.
Did Miami Vice not use a Daytona convertible?Edit: Not that the above is my opinion - I meant that it may be an inhibitor to "mass" appeal and the resultant increase in value. If that makes sense.
Edited by Landlord on Wednesday 27th October 10:06
redchina said:
Landlord said:
I wonder whether it will forever be tarnished with the association with Miami Vice? You know, cheesey.
Edit: Not that the above is my opinion - I meant that it may be an inhibitor to "mass" appeal and the resultant increase in value. If that makes sense.
Did Miami Vice not use a Daytona convertible?Edit: Not that the above is my opinion - I meant that it may be an inhibitor to "mass" appeal and the resultant increase in value. If that makes sense.
Edited by Landlord on Wednesday 27th October 10:06
Streetrod said:
On the road it was just a little embarrassing because of the very 80's looks. There were a lot more people laughing at me rather than admiring me. The last straw came when an attractive young lady at a petrol station asked if it came with the optional chest wig
ROTFLMAO!! Yea ok, i beleve all that happed to you 
redchina said:
Did Miami Vice not use a Daytona convertible?
The fist so called ferrari, was in fact a replica of a Daytona based on an American car. That replica Daytona did Ferrari alot of favours. After the Daytona was destroyed in an MV episode, Ferrari realised the commercial potential of giving Miami Vice a real Testarossa. The car was not originally white but was re-painted so the film cameras could pick it up better.Streetrod said:
I had the chance to drive one both on track and the street a number of years ago and to be honest was not that impressed. On track it was all over the place and not actually that quick. On the road it was just a little embarrassing because of the very 80's looks. There were a lot more people laughing at me rather than admiring me. The last straw came when an attractive young lady at a petrol station asked if it came with the optional chest wig
She was offering you a jump, you div.Soovy said:
Streetrod said:
I had the chance to drive one both on track and the street a number of years ago and to be honest was not that impressed. On track it was all over the place and not actually that quick. On the road it was just a little embarrassing because of the very 80's looks. There were a lot more people laughing at me rather than admiring me. The last straw came when an attractive young lady at a petrol station asked if it came with the optional chest wig
She was offering you a jump, you div.
ferrari spider said:
redchina said:
Did Miami Vice not use a Daytona convertible?
The fist so called ferrari, was in fact a replica of a Daytona based on an American car. That replica Daytona did Ferrari alot of favours. After the Daytona was destroyed in an MV episode, Ferrari realised the commercial potential of giving Miami Vice a real Testarossa. The car was not originally white but was re-painted so the film cameras could pick it up better.132 said:
ferrari spider said:
redchina said:
Did Miami Vice not use a Daytona convertible?
The fist so called ferrari, was in fact a replica of a Daytona based on an American car. That replica Daytona did Ferrari alot of favours. After the Daytona was destroyed in an MV episode, Ferrari realised the commercial potential of giving Miami Vice a real Testarossa. The car was not originally white but was re-painted so the film cameras could pick it up better.I love them.
As a birthday treat in 1985, my dad took me and my brothers 120miles south to Ingliston to watch a Formula Ford meeting. There was a brand spanking new Rosso/Crema single mirror Testarossa in the paddock and I took a side profie photo on slide film which I used to love seeing blown up to almost life size at home. I had a 30" by 20" print made up which adorned by bedroom wall thereafter for a good few years. I got the chance to sit in a Countach a year later when there was a Scottish distributor for a while (in Forfar?) and they both rocked my world but Testarossa would still have been my choice although the 512 TR is probably the one I'd go for if I had the chance (certainly in my top 10).
I once saw a modified Testarossa at a circuit meeting and I beleive it had OE front brakes fitted at the rear and some monster AP Racing brakes at the front, but these cars are not for track days...
As a birthday treat in 1985, my dad took me and my brothers 120miles south to Ingliston to watch a Formula Ford meeting. There was a brand spanking new Rosso/Crema single mirror Testarossa in the paddock and I took a side profie photo on slide film which I used to love seeing blown up to almost life size at home. I had a 30" by 20" print made up which adorned by bedroom wall thereafter for a good few years. I got the chance to sit in a Countach a year later when there was a Scottish distributor for a while (in Forfar?) and they both rocked my world but Testarossa would still have been my choice although the 512 TR is probably the one I'd go for if I had the chance (certainly in my top 10).
I once saw a modified Testarossa at a circuit meeting and I beleive it had OE front brakes fitted at the rear and some monster AP Racing brakes at the front, but these cars are not for track days...
Personally I love the Testarossa! It looks absolutely stunning and although it does look a little dated it would still turn almost every head on the street. I guess the main reason it's not worth millions of pounds is due to the fact there were so many made. Was there not something like 10,000 of them made and also they aren't particularly cheap to run/fix.
Personally I love the 80s. The films were great the music was even better and for me the Testarossa is a perfect example of the fantastically over the top-ness of the 80s. Just look at the gashes along the side of the car. The designers could have fitted some boring little hole to cool the engine which would have done exactly the same thing, but they didn't! They repeatedly slashed the side of the car wide open and whether you like the look or not you cannot deny it is striking.
I've never driven one, but from what I've been told it doesn't drive that well, yet for some reason I just don't care. The F430 is a much much much better car, but do you really think in 20/30 years it will be as iconic as a Testarossa? Will it sum up a whole era? In my honest opinion it won't (and that's coming from a F430 owner)
I reckon the 512 TR is probably the one to go for and that's why they're worth so much more.
Regarding Miami Vice, people can laugh at it and slag it off now but just remember the impact it had at the time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5C4N7UwVS4
The original Daytona used was indeed a replica built on a Corvette platform. When the show became a success Ferrari got very annoyed at all the attention the car was getting and sued the company who made the replicas. They subsequently went bust, however that didn't solve the problem of the Miami vice car. So, Ferrari met with producers and offered them 2 brand new Testarossas if they got rid of the Daytona. The black testarossas were delivered to the producers, which were then subsequently resprayed white, while a Re-bodied Pantera acted as the "stunt" car.
Hope that helps
Personally I love the 80s. The films were great the music was even better and for me the Testarossa is a perfect example of the fantastically over the top-ness of the 80s. Just look at the gashes along the side of the car. The designers could have fitted some boring little hole to cool the engine which would have done exactly the same thing, but they didn't! They repeatedly slashed the side of the car wide open and whether you like the look or not you cannot deny it is striking.
I've never driven one, but from what I've been told it doesn't drive that well, yet for some reason I just don't care. The F430 is a much much much better car, but do you really think in 20/30 years it will be as iconic as a Testarossa? Will it sum up a whole era? In my honest opinion it won't (and that's coming from a F430 owner)
I reckon the 512 TR is probably the one to go for and that's why they're worth so much more.
Regarding Miami Vice, people can laugh at it and slag it off now but just remember the impact it had at the time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5C4N7UwVS4
The original Daytona used was indeed a replica built on a Corvette platform. When the show became a success Ferrari got very annoyed at all the attention the car was getting and sued the company who made the replicas. They subsequently went bust, however that didn't solve the problem of the Miami vice car. So, Ferrari met with producers and offered them 2 brand new Testarossas if they got rid of the Daytona. The black testarossas were delivered to the producers, which were then subsequently resprayed white, while a Re-bodied Pantera acted as the "stunt" car.
Hope that helps
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