[carguy]

Wow you can get Klippan belts at your local auto parts store ???!!!!???? Not so here in the U.S.

[tazandjan]

Pete- Very pretty car and is it is good you found a compliance guy with a sense of humor. She will be fun to drive on some of the lonesome roads around there. Hopefully you will not need Roo bars.

Taz
Terry Phillips

[wintech]

Jeff,
Jagging the Klippan belts was the 'gift'...an 'Auto Parts Store' in Oz is generally a Franchise and has consumables not specifics. Parts they 'stock' have to come from over east( week minimum) I can get stuff by USPS in 5days EC USA!!Always raises a chuckle when they ask you what car it is for, as they have ref catalogs rather than depth of experience and want to demonstrate their grasp of the alphabet! F begins at FORD.

Terry, straight roads in WA give plenty of advance warning of roos esp at night( the bitumen is still warmer than the grass)The winding forest roads present the challenge as the trees shade the road during the day(cooler at night) and they move around more for grazing as grass is scarce in the forest floor.Inspired driving in the Southwest forests is best during the day when the buggers are dozing,dusk and dawn is when they graze generally.

Planning a drive through the Blackwood Forest as soon as the car is legal, beautiful piece of river and forest region in the southwest of WA. Will submit some pics after to give you an idea of terrain etc.

Pete

[adamssss]

This car can not be originally CDN as we never had automatic seat belts in Canada.

[tazandjan]

Adam- Lots of Ferraris crossed the border north and south. Domenic has a least one that came from the US.

When did Canadian specs (except instruments) become identical to US specs, as they are now? I know back in the 308 days there were North American versions and 49 state versions, and now they are US/Cdn spec cars.

Welcome to Ferrari Life.

[adamssss]

Originally Posted by tazandjan

Adam- Lots of Ferraris crossed the border north and south. Domenic has a least one that came from the US.

When did Canadian specs (except instruments) become identical to US specs, as they are now? I know back in the 308 days there were North American versions and 49 state versions, and now they are US/Cdn spec cars.

Welcome to Ferrari Life.

I think there are still some small differences, ie day time running lights on CDN cars. Bumper differences on the 355's. We never got any F40s. I know auto seat belts were a major turn off for me when I was considering a car. There are many so equipped US cars up here in Canada. After well over a year of searching I found a one owner 94 TR only 80 km from me with no auto belts.

[wintech]

Had contact from Scott Wallace of Continental Autosports in Chicago. I have been attempting to verify service history on the car, unfortunately the service records have been lost however he was able to give personal input on the car from memory..
"Hi Peter, I do recall the car ( I’m sure I put over 2,000 miles on it personally) and yes we do have an extensive service history of it. Unfortunately the two files for that car have gone missing so I cannot make copies of the records. Also, we have not had the car in here for service in over five years so the car has dropped out of our database. I can tell you this though, when Dan Harrison owned the car it was probably the most OVER serviced Ferrari we maintained. Whatever the car needed it got and it received a major service every two years regardless of mileage. When Harrison sold the car it had around 50,000 miles on it and the car actually drove better than TR’s with 10,000 miles. The second owner was not as kind to it and often would try to service it himself but would ultimately end up here for us to straighten out. Like I said I have not seen the car in over five years so I cannot attest to its condition today. I will keep your email address on file and if I come across the service file I will be happy to make copies for you. If you have any other questions let me know."


The car today has 51,300mls on it so it has not had a lot of driving since Dan Harrison traded it on an F40 from Continental. He still has the F40.


" PeteThank you for your e-mail. Delighted that 78712 will be in a country that made such sacrifices in the early 1940's to defeat the enemies of liberty. Congratulations.
May 1988- wife goes to Continental to place order and told 9 month wait. Nov 1988 told by Continental that TR will arrive end of month. Driven to work in passable weather. Had to replace dash leather when shrunk from sun exposure. Lost a cylinder bank spark driving to work in early 1990's, no gas shut-off so fuel still flowed and ignited in exhaust. Birthday candle-sized flames along rear grill caused police to stop me. 4 days later everything was replaced (all Ferrari parts) and a waxed/detailed 78712 was back in my garage. Went on to get Platinum and Coppa Bella awards at Cavallino Classic and FCA National meets over the years.
Never got above 150mph myself but cousin-in-law saw 180mph at Watkins Glen while I was driving the F40 in 1996 at the FCA National.
Many good memories. Luxurious interior, gorgeous shape, plenty of power to go illegal if you are not careful with your right foot.
Please keep in touch.
Dan Harrison"
Sending Dan some pics of the car when I am able to drive legally to a fitting backdrop for a photoshoot.

Pete

[Kaos Andy]

For interest, My TR took about 8 min to get it legal with historic plates (club permit) in victoria Australia, no compliance required and can be used with log book for 90 days a year. thats almost every weekend..
Andy

[JayG]

" PeteThank you for your e-mail. Delighted that 78712 will be in a country that made such sacrifices in the early 1940's to defeat the enemies of liberty. Congratulations."


Suchs a cool quote. Mr. Harrison sounds like he loved that car.

[wintech]

I recently received and email from Scott Wallace at Continental informing me that the 'Lost scrolls' of #78712 had been located and he had express mailed the complete collection of originals to me. Waiting was a bummer but eventually they arrived by Fedex.

In a previous post I quoted Scott's claim of this car being one of their most serviced Ferrari's; and going through the 75mm thick folio I can appreciate his statement!

All documentation from the initial transaction at purchase to the last service at Continental in May '98 at 48,700mls.

As the car now has 52,000mls on it and unverified service in the hands of the 3 subsequent owners, the belts and tensioners are a high priority right now. Mechanically the car and drivetrain are A1, no leaks or hiccups. The main powerboard is in good shape apart from evidence of overheating on the 2 fan terminals which have been upgraded since.

Being 'indisposed' of late I have missed the developing thread from Petervg and his TR work in progress... truly inspiring! and in like manner my 6M x4M workshop is being prepared as 78712's temporary domicile during the engine out procedure.

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by wintech

As the car now has 52,000mls on it and unverified service in the hands of the 3 subsequent owners, the belts and tensioners are a high priority right now. .

Have you been able to track any of the three other owners? They might be able to provide the missing service records or at least point you in the right direction to find them?

[wintech]

Actually Boxer, I posted a request on the site 'searching for Mike Sabo' he was the owner before the chap I bought it off. Dan O'Toole of the FCA did a search and confirmed he was not an FCA member ever..conflicts with the story from the seller to me. I can but assume that no real work was done to the car in the 3500mls since 1998. The second owner bought it from Continental after it was traded, a Doctor who did a bit of tinkering by all accounts and the car ended back at Continental to rectify, but nothing of any major account.

The seller to me had a 328GTS and the TR, no work was done to the TR in his care other than oil,Tubi fitted. Did no work himself as the grubby condition of the car attested.

I am more curious where the full set of luggage went, supplied with the car new from Continental (damn!)

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by wintech

Actually Boxer, I posted a request on the site 'searching for Mike Sabo' he was the owner before the chap I bought it off. Dan O'Toole of the FCA did a search and confirmed he was not an FCA member ever..conflicts with the story from the seller to me. I can but assume that no real work was done to the car in the 3500mls since 1998. The second owner bought it from Continental after it was traded, a Doctor who did a bit of tinkering by all accounts and the car ended back at Continental to rectify, but nothing of any major account.

The seller to me had a 328GTS and the TR, no work was done to the TR in his care other than oil,Tubi fitted. Did no work himself as the grubby condition of the car attested.

I am more curious where the full set of luggage went, supplied with the car new from Continental (damn!)

Luggage probably ending up on eBay or at an auction.

You might try PM'ing Carbon and jtremelett to see if either has any further info.

[Sin]

Hey Pete,

I've been loving reading your threads. Any chance you could email me/I could email you as I have a few questions/would love to chat about a couple of things. I'm from Perth also. : ) I would have PM'd you but it doesn't seem like I can do that

Regards,

Mark

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by Sin

Hey Pete,

I've been loving reading your threads. Any chance you could email me/I could email you as I have a few questions/would love to chat about a couple of things. I'm from Perth also. : ) I would have PM'd you but it doesn't seem like I can do that

Regards,

Mark

I think you need to have 5 posts or been a member for a 15+ days before you can send PM's. It was set up that way to cut down on spammers.

[backindauk]

Hi Pete,

Sounds like you have had a good experience in bringing it here.

I investigated bringing a TR over from the UK and went to see a couple while over there last year. All of the cars that i saw had signs of rust and other issues which would prove costly and/or time consuming to resolve. I don't mind doing work myself but at the end of the day, time is always short. I didn't really want a LHD car either, so the USA was out. (even though cars are very reasonably priced and considerably more plentiful)

I had a good chat to a very helpful bloke down in Victoria (Rob Hayden) and he gave me quite a lot of information regarding the compliance modifications required and other such processes.

Did you have to strengthen any the doors or change the exhaust?

I am looking for a 512TR with medium mileage here in Australia. There have been a couple in the past year or so but none really to my liking.


Andrew K (rainy Sydney, NSW)

[a1exander]

Andrew have you considered a South African car?
1990 FERRARI TESTAROSSA R 899,990 for sale in JOHANNESBURG | Auto Trader

[backindauk]

Originally Posted by a1exander

Andrew have you considered a South African car?
1990 FERRARI TESTAROSSA R 899,990 for sale in JOHANNESBURG | Auto Trader

Hi Peter,

I had considered looking in South Africa as the shipping would make considerably more sense than from Europe... However i found that the prices over there are about the same as here - which is predominately the reason i'm looking at cars in the UK. I said to myself that i'd buy a decent Testarossa with moderate mileage (say 30,000-50,000km) and a good service history, and have a bigger sinking fund related to the maintenance/servicing of it - or look for an Australian delivered 512TR which would require more initial outlay but less on maintenance in the long term.

As for cars built after 1 January 1989, it is not possible to import them into Australia unless you have owned them (and driven a certain number of kilometres, paid for servicing/maintenance etc) in the foreign country for a period greater than 12 months. There are some exceptions to this rule but sadly, none apply to Ferraris.

Importing Vehicles to Australia - General Information

Andrew

[wintech]

Andrew,
Robert Hayden is a chap I have a lot of respect for as regards Fcars. Not only an obvious enthusiast, but also very happy to help where he can fit it into his busy life. Robs treatise on the body woes afflicting his TR from rust are very sobering in consideration it was a low Mileage UK car with service from reputable technicians.

I did the math when I first joined this site and a UK car would have owed me more than a LHD car with hopefully no cancer(about +30% end result of shipping,duty,ins,rego etc.) If the AUD/USD gets to $1.10+ again and GBP continues to suffer the infection of EU financial woes and drops below AUD$1.40/GBP then it may make a difference. The later build and lower mileage on UK cars does increase the ask price if it is from a 'reputable' source but bear in mind the LCT in Oz on cars over a certain landed valuation(not the purchase price) if that is levied it makes it a darned expensive exercise.

SA was also an option..IF the cars over there were reasonably priced in AUD...but its all relative to the local market income/expense matrix. The car Peter suggested at the current AUD/ZAR exchange (8.15:1)is AUD $110,000 even though it is too later build to import, still expensive, may owe around 140-150,000 AUD after all costs!! When there are cars in Sydney on cars.com for $100K RHD!!

My budget didn't stretch that far as it was about driving the dream before Alzheimer's drives me! Heh heh. I did luck out, but I was not in a position time-wise to get a PPI done before the ebay auction finished.It could have have gone very pear shaped for me even though I qualified a lot of stuff through the local FCA about the car/owner before I bid.

As a comparison, it is a 50+k mile car which had been over-serviced since day1 and according to the Service manager at Continental(Chicago, sold new) 'at 50K it ran better than TR's on the lot with 10K on them'. I have the service records for it now and he wasn't kidding, full major service every 2 yrs and a major inspection after each Club track meet, regardless of expense. Apart from the wear on the D/S seat upper bolster from the original owners use; the car looks, starts,goes and handles like new.

BUT it is LHD and this is OZ, although if I still had my '67 Shelby GT500 that I had in the eighties with the 427 stroker in it... being LHD would not hurt the value at all and probably wouldn't enter into the discussion either.

In summary, its horses for courses Andrew- your money, your motives, your budget and your dream. Aim for the stars and you will at least get the moon.

Pete

[wintech]

Again Andrew,
got a bit side-tracked and missed yr query re the compliance mods.
"Did you have to strengthen any the doors or change the exhaust?"
The exhaust got changed back to the original for the Engineering/Pit Inspection process. The Tubi Comp. is now back on it.

The doors did require side intrusion protection, however I took pics of the bar work comprising the door frame (25mm CrMol tubing by the look) and no argument when presented for registration. The side intrusion protection on any car for the Oz market are flimsy pressed sheet metal pieces added to cover ADR specs.

If you are in Sydney, the local rego requirements for an imported car may vary with WA standards( can you even register a LHD car in NSW?)

pete