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I thought I would start a new build thread for my 250 Testarossa project. I'll get some photos together to show the progress so far and see how it develops.
I managed to purchase a complete Scaglietti inspired, all aluminium body for a 1957 250 Testarossa by Giordanengo. This is an early pontoon fender car, an absolutely stunning looking vehicle and one of my all time favourites.
It is about as close as you will ever get to the real thing, the body was originally fitted to a genuine chassis 0611GT complete with 3 litre V12 and running gear. A tiny number of these cars were coach built by Giordanengo in Italy during the 1980's
The body is mostly straight but there are a few parts missing that I am going to have to fabricate from scratch, namely the scuttle panel and bonnet.
I'll soon be on the look out for a suitable chassis to mount the body onto. Whilst I would love to rebuild it around all Ferrari running gear once again, it is simply just about impossible to source front engine, rear wheel drive base cars at sensible money.
I am going to have to be creative and put my engineering skills to the test !
At the moment I'm thinking spaceframe Lotus 7 style chassis. The live axle cars share a very similar wheel base and track to the original 250 TR. I'm thinking V6 engine so it will at least sound right or close to that high revving V12.
Looking forward to seeing this progress ...right up my street ...
Can I badger you every week or so for updates like you did to those poor old Tribute guys ? !!! (joking)
I'd be a bit wary of going too big an engine with an Escort rear axle , if you go the locost type route , maybe look at using a Capri axle or similar ?
The Alfa V6 is first rate engine, the only draw back is the width of the unit and the lack of gearbox options for rear wheel drive. It has been done so I won't rule it out at this stage. I did have an Alfa 156 V6, I must admit the exhaust note is something else at high rpm!
Excellent project! I would buy a Ferrari 400i with body damage and use the engine, other running gear and VIN number. The added value from it being an actual Ferrari will more than make up the additional cost of the donor. Hietbrink will be able to help with chassis, inner structural panels, etc. See: http://hietbrink.com/
Here are a couple of photos of the TR parts. So far I have stripped the remaining paint and gone through all the box's of bits ! There were other bits included not shown in the photos. I have offered the parts up, everything lines up and will go back together without problem.
I was bidding on this also, I have other projects going on and this would of put me in a storage pickle if I bought it, still regret not going for it though
glad you've got it so I can see progress
would a cobra chassis work ?
Think you might be onto something with using a 7 style chassis as a donor. I was looking through the data sheets section of Madabout and there are some that are within a few mil of the TR wheelbase (hadn't realised the different 7's varied so much in wheelbase). Maybe even buy a used completed car and then just re-body it, no need to go through IVA then.
Think you might be onto something with using a 7 style chassis as a donor. I was looking through the data sheets section of Madabout and there are some that are within a few mil of the TR wheelbase
I contacted the seller on ebay about this. It was originally on a 250 GT Boano chassis which has a 2600mm wheelbase rather than the 2350mm of the 250 TR.
I'm presuming that it was made for the 2600mm wheelbase.That would be easier than cutting the original chassis and then stretching it again after the 250TR body was removed (I understand that the original owner is now reinstating the Boano on his chassis).
Think you might be onto something with using a 7 style chassis as a donor. I was looking through the data sheets section of Madabout and there are some that are within a few mil of the TR wheelbase (hadn't realised the different 7's varied so much in wheelbase). Maybe even buy a used completed car and then just re-body it, no need to go through IVA then.
John
The TR track is very narrow so the live axle 7's with the ford axle are about right. I'll have to get the tape measure out with regard to the wheel base to confirm it one way or another. The 250 GT Boano chassis was modified a fair bit to take the TR body, I can't see that Giordangengo would have stretched the TR body 250mm just to suit the standard chassis, I will check.
Buying an on the road car as a donor is the obvious route for me.
The photo's on the advert were poor, as was the description. The body is all hand crafted aluminium. It is largely complete and it fits back together when you offer it up. I think I have made a good decision here, get it mounted onto a suitable chassis, fit a good strong V6 engine and away we go !
I have spoken with the guys that removed the body from the chassis. This was done some time ago and unfortunately the scuttle panel was lost then.
The owner kept the bonnet for his other 250 TR as a spare ! At that time there was no intention to re use the body so it was put into storage.
That video above helped me to identify the car, namely the bulge for the spare wheel in the lower boot area and that little rectangular plate above it. Also the seats and the silver paint in the head light recesses. Those features are unique to this particular car.
I think you made a good decision also ...is a 7 chassis the way forward may be easiest but I take it you'll be modifying it somewhat reather than just throwing the body on it
Are there other chassis that may fit like a tr chassis????
The 7 style chassis are a good starting point. If you look at the shape of a typical 7 with swept back front wings you will see that the Testarossa has some similarities. The seating position relative to the rear wheels is also similar as is the long nose forward of the cockpit. When the outer panels of a 7 are removed you are left with a neat, light weight space frame. Even down to the suspension, the Testarossa was a live axle at the rear with double wishbones at the front, same as the Westfields etc. Wheel base and track are also very similar and as I said before, I wouldn't want to modify the bodywork to suit a chassis. If a 7 chassis is that close I shouldn't have to modify that either apart from adding mounting points for the body.
Having built three "Sevens" in the past, look to Jim McSorley's plans on the locost usa website. Several variations in length and width possible. All of Jim's space frames have undergone a finite analysis too. Much better than the "book" chassis.
I've managed to strip the remaining paint over the holiday and sort out the dents at the front of the nose cone. I put in a couple of hours today lining up the front end panels and checking for fit and making little adjustments as required.
I'll get some ali sheet and steel tube this week in readiness to rebuild the scuttle panel. I should be in a position then to weld it all together.
I think I'm happy with the 7 style donor now, it seems to be the most logical and straight forward way to getting on the road. I just need to confirm the wheel base of the 250 before I start looking.
