
Another day, another Ferrari Testarossa replica. It truly is incredible to see how many of these kit cars are out there, and how often the humble Pontiac Fiero can be masqueraded as an exotic with just a few simple cosmetic tweaks. But are they truly simple adjustments? That really depends on the origins of the kit, as we have seen some Ferrari replicas that were truly impressive in terms of their level of detail and execution. This Ferrari Testarossa convertible listed here on craigslist is not quite to that level, but it does get some key details right that other kits fall short on. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Tony Primo for the find.

So, here’s what I can appreciate about this particular Ferrari clone: the taillights, with the cosmetic grills running over them and creating the illusion of being tinted, is faithful to the actual Ferrari design. In addition, the big win here (at least cosmetically-speaking) is the staggered wheel setup that actually look like they came standard on a Ferrari. This is my biggest gripe against kit cars and replicas is that the wheel and tire setup never comes close to faithfully mimicking the originals. These were supercars back in the day so they had outrageous specifications that included staggered setups with deep dish lips and ridiculous offsets. This replica at least attempts to get that part right.

The interior is pure Fiero, but to the seller’s credit, the cabin is in outstanding condition. The Fiero interior was a fairly attractive design, in my humble opinion, with nicely bolstered bucket seats and a generous center console that split the cabin down the middle. Sure, it’s no Ferrari, but it at least felt sporty. The Ferrari floor mats and subtle badges on the glovebox are a nice touch, and at least this tribute car didn’t go over the top with prancing horse logos. The Nardi steering wheel is always a classy look, and thank heavens this Fiero comes with a 5-speed manual.

The side strakes, while present, could use a little work, and this is always my concern about kit cars like these: the devil is in the details, and many of them lack the build quality to hold up over decades of use. This Testarossa replica has some definite downsides, and the convertible top looks sloppy compared to some of the other details referenced above. Still, if some modest corrections are made and the top gets some attention from a reputable upholstery shop, this tribute car could look far better. The next job will be dropping the 2.8L V6 and its wheezy 140 horsepower in favor of a supercharged 3800 or a V8 engine swap. The seller is asking $14,950 for this Fiero kit car build; is it worth nearly $15K?



NOT total Miami Vice!!
The first turn of the ignition key will shout KIT CAR!! Why bother?
you can frost a turd but after the first bite the jig is up….