The restomod they are becoming more and more popular. Improving the technique, reliability and performance of a classic car, keeping its aesthetics and its essence intact is an art. Brands like Singer or Automobili Amos have presented museum-worthy proposals on classics like the Porsche 911 or the Lancia Delta Integrale. They are joined by the Italians from Officine Fioravanti, who have decided that the Ferrari testarossa he deserved to enter that select club of high-flying restomod. And as you are going to see throughout this article, they have created a true masterpiece.
To present their first Testarossa restomod, they have started from the base of a unit with a single rearview mirror, in white. A first series unit that clearly evokes series like Miami Vice, and represents the excess of the eighties in a paradigmatic way. In fact, the presentation of the restomod in a metallic white color is not at all casual. Aesthetically, Fioravanti has decided to keep the Testarossa practically standard. The unique mirror of him, the grille of his engine, the retractable headlights… all these elements are still in place.
The flat bottom of the car has been modified to seek better aerodynamic performance.
The only apparent modification are some oversize forged wheels, but design faithful to the originals. They have 17 inches in the front axle and 18 inches in the rear, and their only reason for being, in addition to reducing unsprung masses, is accommodate a higher performance Brembo braking system. This braking equipment has ventilated discs, six-piston calipers on the front axle and four-piston calipers on the rear axle. The ABS has twelve possible adjustments and the wheels are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires.
We had told you that the bodywork has not changed, but in truth, some of its panels have been replaced by others made of carbon fiber, a material that has also been applied selectively to the chassis and interior of the vehicle. The result is a weight saving of no less than 130 kilos compared to the original car, whose weight was just 1,510 kilos. One of Fioravanti’s obsessions has been to improve the dynamics of the Testarossa, and for this, they have installed new double shock absorbers with separate cylinders, signed by the Swedish specialist Öhlins.
Matching suitcases and a hi-fi sound system enhance the travel experience in several ways.
These dampers are adjustable and have been specifically developed for this project. The front and rear anti-roll bars are also adjustable, and the car features configurable traction control. All these adjustments can be made from the passenger compartment, through a button panel with a retro look, but state-of-the-art entrails. However, the protagonist is 4.9 twelve cylinder. This V12 at 180º – not a twelve-cylinder boxer – it developed 390 hp in the eighties, and has been extensively improved by Officine Fioravanti.
The ignition system, timing and engine electronics have been modified, as well as installing a latest-generation active exhaust and a more generous intake. The result is a power of 510 CV at 9,000 rpm, maintaining atmospheric aspiration. Its best features allow it to reach a maximum speed of 323km/h. And it does so while its quality and interior comfort increases several integers. The interior design has not changed, but the plastic controls have been replaced by machined metal controls and the passenger compartment has been reupholstered.
The five-speed manual transmission with a metal grill is still in place.
The new controls have been masterfully hidden and the precious analog instrumentation signed by Veglia has been retained. Hidden from view, however, is a discreet Apple CarPlay-compatible infotainment kit. The final touch puts it a vintage telephone, mounted in the center console. The innards of that phone have been modified and can now be used – via Bluetooth – in connection with our smartphone to make calls. In short, a project with soul and great respect for the original car.
Improved in every way, without losing its essence.
