I was cleaning my TR today, and it just hit me. I've had my TR for a little over 3 months now, and you know what, I am in complete disagreement with every TR review out there. I've always seen classic car magazines claiming that the build quality of the TR interior is "80's Italian car quality", meaning very poor compared to the German and British rivals (Porsche, Aston, etc.). I don't get it. I just don't. The interior of my TR is covered with beautiful leather everywhere my eyes can see (headliner, dash, door panels, console, you name it). The turn signal lever feels heavy, precise, and metallic. So does the gear lever and the legendary grid. The carpet is thick and smooth. The Momo steering wheel is beautifully made with the brushed black branches. etc, etc... The smell of the interior is like nothing else on the road other than another Ferrari. What in the world are they talking about??
Yeah, I have wondered that too. At the risk of major flaming, when I compare the Boxer to the TR, there really is a big difference. The Boxer is obviously older and more spartan, a little haphazard but loveable. The TR is very well fitted, organized, tight. The hvac control console is a little weird, but it does work and is unique. Regardless, it isn't poorly built. I had my car for 2 months before I knew it had 'express' window feature! (Which works by the way.) And another month after that before I knew the horn sounded on the thumb pads and not just the central horn button. I was pleasantly 'surprised' in a German car snob sort of fashion. Even the rear shelf area, with charming but effective luggage straps, retaining lip, and sound insulation is quite nice. (If you ever remove the firewall panel, you will really know how good a job it does at noised deadening!) All to say, I 'agree' and can only surmise that those who say that are parotting earlier comments, and not truly familiar.
Pro-tip: one of the judges at Concorso told me to get the Italian grease out of the window mechanism and replace with American. Should improve speed noticeably. Fwiw, I haven't made the switch to validate whether it's true or maybe he was messing with me! Lol. PS Never mind - just realized you were talking about the "express" feature which I actually don't know about. Maybe the above tip is helpful regardless.
You got my attention with 'express' window feature and the horn/thumb? I like to hear more about this. I have owned her for 5 years and this is news to me.
Mine's a late 94 and has these features. If you press the d. side window button past it's first 'click' (like a real live modern car!) it'll go 'express'. Horn sounds pressing the circular indentions on steering wheel, closer to rim. Have no idea when these started, possibly with the 'TR' but someone else'll know.
I believe the horn feature is on the 512TR >, pressing either of the two dimpled pads on the sides (9:00 & 3:00) but I'm not positive. It certainly isn't on the basic TR wheel. I suspect the "express" feature, which I assume if you hold it down a few seconds and release it keeps going is also a 512TR feature.
I have a '92 and mine has the express window switch and the horn on the sides of the wheel and of course the center button. Hope that helps.
It is true about the grease, not becasue it is Italian but because it hardens over the years. Search this forum for TR Power Windows and you'll get the details. I did mine and it made a huge difference
I ended up completely gutting my '87 interior when one day I decided to take the drivers seat out and tighten up the loose outside seat bolster. Upon doing this I was just lookin' around and put my left hand down on the carpet that was "under" the seating area, between the seat adjustment rails and suddenly realized that the carpet was just glued to the floor!!.....No insulation, no backing, just wool carpet, contact cemented to the sheet metal?!?!?! Not everywhere but in the areas that were not "visible". It was at that realization that I tore everything out and replaced it all with appropriate insulation, padding and carpet (there is a thread somewhere here that documents the entire upgrade)......Nice quite, tight ride now with just the 12 cylinder song and no road noise..........or I guess what I am saying is that as far as the flooring and attention to detail, the OEM is on a par with a Yugo! A few pix to demonstrate are below.......... QUITE PLEASE! Me Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Nice job. For what it's worth, my old 911 from the same era had the carpet straight on the metal floor as well. Maybe a typical build technique from the era more than a Ferrari laziness?
Kerry is your car for driving instruction? The pedals seem to be on the wrong side of the car!! My '87 Euro model has the foam insulation everywhere, looks like someone must have removed yours for some reason Kerry but I can't think why unless the car has got really wet for some reason. Unglued Me P
My 88 has the insulation as well, laid in place but not bonded. The exception is directly under the seats, which makes sense. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Dear Ferraristi, The "express window" feature is a 512 TR feature...not on the 85 -91 Testarossa. The horn buttons on the 3 & 9 positions are on the 512 TR steering wheel. I have an OEM 512 wheel which has this feature. It just adds extra wiring to the original horn tabs on the Testarossa. So, if you put a 512 TR wheel on your Testarossa, you can enjoy this feature. In fact, I only use those to tap the horn. Kerry, someone took out the insulation in your Testarossa. I have the above pictured thick grey foam that covers the floors completely including little narrow pieces that go between the seat rails and the center console. Shamile Freeze...Miami Vice !
@ I don't get it. I just don't. @ Maybe it is meant that the "Italian way" of constructing is not always the best ! Take f.i. one F switch and compare it with a P or MB switch; they are far more reliable... In our cars it has also to do in which age they were built ('80-s); one didn't care so much for quality then as they do nowadays ..... Why is there no problem with f.i. fuseboxes in P or BMW cars at all ? So my answer on the first question/exclamation: I do get it ..... every time I think ... oh ... WHY !!
No the gray tight cell foam was in all the places that F thought it needed to be, I removed it and replaced with a modern alternative that made the db level drop dramatically! I in fact still have all that material and the original carpeting, etc.. Just knew from past vehicles(lotus, alfa, Maserati, citroën, etc., that there was plenty of room for improvement. Quiet for once Me
