Versions
Versions
The early Testarossas had a single, high mirror and a 'pin' button in the interior (so, only meant for one mirror). After a certain law regarding mirrors was changed in 1985, the Testarossas were fitted with double, low mirrors and a 'round' button in the interior.
The introduction of double low mirrors was at s/n 67487 for US versions and at s/n 67079 for Euro versions.
Please note that there are also earlier Testarossas with double high mirrors or with double low mirrors. In both cases, this was probably NOT original and done by the dealers or by the owners.
The first Testarossas had single-bolt wheels as shown on the left picture. In June 1988 they changed to five bolt wheels, which were easier to use. Testarossas built in 1988 and fitted with five bolt wheels are indicated with ’88.5’. The new five bolt wheels appeared after s/n 75998 (on US versions) and on European versions a little bit earlier.
The tires for US versions were Goodyear 225/50 VR 16 (front) and 255/50 VR 16 (rear).
Other versions had Michelin TRX 240/45 VR 415 (front) and 280/45 VR 415 (rear)
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Each car made after 1980 has a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), an unique number to identify the car. On Testarossas, the VIN can be found on a small plate on the steering column and at the chassis in the engine room. On US versions, the VIN can also be found on a plate on the door. The VINs of Testarossas look like this:
ZFFAA17B0000xxxxx
ZFFAA17C0000xxxxx
ZFFAA17T0x00xxxxx
ZFFSG17Axx00xxxxx
ZFFSA17Axx00xxxxx
ZFFSM17Axx00xxxxx
ZFFSA17JAP00xxxxx
ZFFSA17S0000xxxxx
ZFFTA17B0000xxxxx
ZFFTA17C0000xxxxx
ZFFTA17S0000xxxxxEuro version, engine type F113B
GB version (RHD), type F113B
Middle East version, type F113B
US version with passive restraint system
US version without passive restraint system
Canadian version
Japanese version
Swiss version, type F113B046
Euro version, engine type F113A
GB version (RHD), type F113A
Swiss version, type F113A046A detailed overview of the meaning of all digits of the VIN can be found on the VIN page.
At Euro, Swiss, Japanese and GB versions (starting from approximately s/n 64xxx), the serialnumber is also printed on all the windows. The five-digit serialnumber is followed by three letters, which have no meaning.
All Testarossas with a higher number than s/n 83xxx, will also have an assembly number, which can be found on a small plate at the right side of the engine compartment.
Engine types and engine numbers
There are FIVE different engine types:
Type
F113A
F113A040
F113A046
F113B
F113B046Markets
Euro, GB
US, JAP
CH
Euro, GB
CHSerialnumbers
53xxx - 66xxx
53xxx - 91xxx
53xxx - 66xxx
66xxx - 91xxx
66xxx - 91xxxEngine type F113A has Bosch K Jetronic (mechanical gasoline control and electronic emission control) and a compression ratio of 9.3:1. In early 1986, Ferrari introduced engine type F113B, which had (just like F113A040) Bosch KE Jetronic (electromechanical gasoline and emission control) and a compression ratio of 8.8:1.
The 040 and 046 engines are fitted with catalytic converters.
All engines have a 5-digit engine number. Each engine type probably has its own numbering, always starting from the beginning (00001). All Testarossas with a serialnumber lower than s/n 75xxx, will have an enginenumber starting with "00" (so: 00xxx).
Near s/n 75700, there is a ‘jump’ in the numbers and from that moment, all engine numbers will be like ‘1xxxx’ or even '2xxxx'.
The pictures show the difference between the front lights on US versions and on all the other versions. European versions delivered to France have yellow instead of white lights.
US version Other versions
US versions have large square blinkers placed in front of the wheels and behind the rear wheels. All other versions have small round blinkers placed behind the front wheels.
US version Other versionsThe European pre-production cars had more rectangular side indicators instead of the normal round indicators. The serialnumbers of these cars are probably between 53081 and 54047. Serialnumber 54051 is probably the first "normal production" car.
Pre-production European version (s/n 53081)
The picture below is of a US version, where you will see large bumpers at the rear. Those bumpers are also present at Japanese versions.
In 1986 Ferrari introduced the third braking lights on US versions.
The 3rd braking light on a US version
© Forza magazine
1987: Ferrari introduced the Passive Restraint System (special safety belts) on US versions. All cars with the new system have the "G" in VIN.
1987: Some small interior changes on US versions: a dash shelf was added, the odometer moved from the mid-console to the speedometer, the console gauges moved and the transmission tunnel compartment changed.
1987: Several technical updates: a new water and oil pump drive chain (from s/n 68751), a new air pump (from s/n 69651) and a new alternator belt and pulley (from s/n 71449). All mentioned serialnumbers are for US versions. Other markets might be different.
1987: New rear suspension, with pressed steel top and bottom halves welded together.
The Testarossa was made for several markets:
European version
For Europe, except Switzerland, Sweden and Great Britain
Engine type F113A and later F113B (after s/n 66xxx)
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN):
ZFFTA17B0000xxxxx (F113A)
ZFFAA17B0000xxxxx (F113B)Front lights: a small part of the upper half is orange. French cars have yellow lights
Blinkers: small round blinkers at the front. The pre-production cars have larger, more rectangular blinkers
Bumpers: no large bumper at the rear
3rd Braking lights: not present
Serialnumber printed in the windows (only after approx s/n 64xxx)
GB version
For Great Britain
RHD
Engine type F113A and later F113B (after s/n 66xxx)
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN):
ZFFTA17C0000xxxxx (F113A)
ZFFAA17C0000xxxxx (F113B)Front lights: a small part of the upper half is orange
Blinkers: small round blinkers at the front.
Bumpers: no large bumper at the rear
3rd Braking lights: not present
Serialnumber printed in the windows (only after approx s/n 64xxx)
Swiss versions
For Switzerland and Sweden
Engine type F113A046 and F113B046.
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN):
ZFFTA17S0000xxxxx (F113A046)
ZFFSA17S0000xxxxx (F113B046)Front lights: a small part of the upper half is orange
Blinkers: small round blinkers at the front.
Bumpers: no large bumper at the rear
3rd Braking lights: not present
Serialnumber printed in the windows (only after approx s/n 64xxx)
US version
For North America
Engine type F113A040
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN):
ZFFSA17Axx00xxxxx (early versions)
ZFFSG17Axx00xxxxx (later versions)
ZFFSM17Axx00xxxxx (Canadian versions)Front lights: upper half is orange, lower half is white
Blinkers: large square blinkers at the front and at the rear.
Bumpers: a large bumper at the rear
3rd Braking lights: introduced in 1986
On >1986 cars, the odometer is placed in the dashboard (in the speedometer) and not in the mid-console.
No serialnumbers on the windows
Japanese version
For Japan
Engine type F113A040
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN):
ZFFSA17JAP00xxxxxFront lights: a small part of the upper half is orange
Blinkers: small round blinkers at the front.
Bumpers: large bumper at the rear
3rd Braking lights: not present
Serialnumber printed in the windows (only after approx s/n 64xxx)
Australian version: Never made, because all cars made after 1984 must have unleaded fuel. Most Testarossas in Australia are grey-market GB versions.
Middle East version: Details not known. Probably like a Swiss version, but with F113A040 engine.
The colours available on the Testarossa were:
Exterior FER 100
FER 101/C
FER 102
FER 104/C
FER 300/6
FER 305/C
FER 306/C
FER 503/C
FER 504/C
FER 505/C
FER 506/C
FER 602/C
FER 603/C
FER 604/C
FER 700/C
FER 800/C
FER 901/C
FER 1240
Bianco
Argento Metallizzato
Giallo
Oro Chiaro Metallizzato
Rosso Corsa
Rosso Metallizzato
Prugna Metallizzato
Blu Chiaro Metallizzato
Blu Sera Metallizzato
Azzuro Metallizzato
Blu Medio Metallizzato
Verde Chiaro Metallizzato
Verde Scuro Metallizzato
Verde Tenue Metallizzato
Grigio Metallizzato
Marrone Metallizzato
Nero Metallizzato
Nero
Interior
VM3393
VM8500
VM4208
VM3997
VM3171
VM3282
Grigio
Nero
Beige
Crema
Rosso
Blue
Carpets
80
81
83
84
85
Nero
Rosso
Testa di Moro
Blu
Bruciato
