Ferrari 512 TR Twist

Ferrari Upgrades

Some cars age gracefully, like a fine wine—take the Ferrari 512 TR as an example. This beauty, with its roots in the Pininfarina-designed Testarossa, has earned its legacy through sheer road presence and performance brilliance. All of which makes it a bit puzzling when someone decides to take this icon and give it the appearance of a tricked-out, Florida-man kit car special.

The Modifications

The modified 512 TR was spotted grocery shopping, a scene that seems almost unreal considering the changes. It looks like someone took inspiration from a Pontiac Fiero or maybe a Toyota MR2 replica. To start, the wheels, originally eye-catching silver, have been painted black. Generally, black wheels have their charm, but on this Ferrari, they seem out of place. Moreover, the car’s entire upper portion—pillars, roof, and engine cover—has been painted black, which disrupts this Ferrari’s classic proportions.

Adding to the confusion is a large rear wing, seemingly borrowed from the Koenig parts catalog. Koenig was once famous for its extravagant widebody kits and over-the-top tuning in the ’80s and ’90s, making this wing feel like a beloved throwback, albeit in the wrong context.

Questionable Choices

We haven’t even discussed the door skins and side air intakes, which are perhaps the most bewildering changes. Where there should be horizontal strakes on the doors, like on the original Testarossa, now lies a smooth surface that is not true to the car’s spirit. Finished in black, these alterations further distance the car from its roots. Naturally, this caused quite a stir on Reddit, with many questioning its authenticity, initially mistaking it for an ambitious replica.

Authenticity Confirmed

Despite appearances, the license plate search confirms this is indeed an authentic 1992 Ferrari 512 TR, still packing its original 4.9-liter flat-12 engine. So, while it might look somewhat like a kit car misfire, the Ferrari beneath retains its pure performance pedigree.

Driving Experience

Under all these layers of visual chaos, it remains a fantastic car to drive—like threading a needle at 150 mph. The Ferrari 512 TR’s handling and balance stand head and shoulders above many contemporaries. Even modified, the power delivery from that flat-12 can pin passengers back in their seats with ease, making city streets or mountain roads its playground. Compared to more modern Ferraris, such as the F8 Tributo, this 512 TR feels raw, connecting driver and machine in a mechanical symphony often lost in today’s electronic age.

At the end of the day, true Ferrari enthusiasts know that sometimes, the beauty of an iconic car isn’t just what’s on the outside, but what purrs under the hood.