Wanderlust

Tag: MY1987

  • Modern Coachbuilding: Niels van Roij Design Teases Ferrari Testarossa “Superamerica”

    Modern Coachbuilding: Niels van Roij Design Teases Ferrari Testarossa “Superamerica”

    Typically in our series of Remasters, we tend to focus on firms performing limited series production of similar cars built to a largely similar formula. This allows these companies to perfect the car for the most part, which is where clients come in to commission a specification tailored to their desires. With Niels van Roij Design, the idea of bespoke goes quite a bit further for a truly bespoke result.

    In this case, that result is a 1987 Ferrari Testarossa whose owner wants more of an open-top motoring experience. Sure, that owner could seek out one of the rare Testarossa Spyders out there. While Ferrari and Pininfarina may have produced one or two here or there, Straman converted Spyders and the like do exist out there somewhere. However, this client wanted something a bit more unique, an idea that’s more Targa and perhaps more structurally rigid… perhaps. And, while they could go the route of a lift-out Targa style roof like the Ferrari 308/328 GTS, it appears the quirky hinged glass application of the 575 Superamerica has been identified as an even more luxurious design befitting the V12-powered Testarossa.

    Okay, they likely won’t call it Superamerica. Ferrari, the same company that allegedly gave Pininfarina fits when James Glickenhaus commissioned a neo P4 body conversion for his Enzo, probably would have issues. Still… it’s a rad idea and we’re watching it with great interest.

    Niels van Roij has a project page on their own website where they’ve been sharing photos of the Testarossa job so far, and that can be found HERE. They’ve also been sharing images on social media, and recently shared the sketches also seen in this story that depict this “Superamerica” style top design (again, that label is our assessment and not their use).

    This particular job was reportedly commissioned by a British expat who currently resides in Andorra.

    Niels van Roij Design has been performing coach built transformations for a long time. Remember that Tesla Model S station wagon that popped up a few years back? That was van Roij. So too was a Ferrari 575 Maranello-based shooting brake “bread van” inspired by a similarly configured Ferrari 250 GTO back in the day.

    More Information: NielsvanRoij.com

  • EU Market Find: Prugnia Metallic Ferrari 412

    EU Market Find: Prugnia Metallic Ferrari 412

    What: 1987 Ferrari 412
    Color: Prugnia / Prugna (prugnametallise; metallic uni; 306; Ferrari)
    Chassis: Unknown
    Mileage: 71,202 km / 44,242 mi
    Price: €69,900
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Time 2 Drive, Wavre, Belgium
    Sales listing: Link

    Why we love it:

    If you’re into quirky Ferraris, they don’t get much more quirky than Ferrari’s 412 grand touring coupe. Now throw in full leather light beige interior, an automatic gearbox and purple metallic paint and you have a seriously unique build.

    The color isn’t just rare, it’s also perhaps up for debate… at least its translation. The dealer has it listed as “prugnia”, Italian for plum. It appears the better known name as found in our research is “prugna”, with no “i” and translating to prune. We’re going to lean towards plum, that sounds enticing whereas prune is decidedly less attractive we’d guess. In that, we’re siding with the dealer’s take on the color name.

    Notably, it’s a slush box, which makes it less desirable but also makes it more affordable. It’s also in remarkably good condition. It’s also got a sun visor signed by its designer Leonardo Fiorvanti, a neat detail. It was also chosen by Ferrari Belgium to be part of the Ferrari 70 Years display at Autoworld in Brussels.

    Here’s what the dealer shares in the listing (linked above).

    • German car delivered new by Auto Becker in Dusseldorf on 19th february 1987, then send to Zwitserland and, by the end, imported to Belgium by the actual owner of the car in 2013.
    • This car is regularly driven by the owner to go on vacation or during touristic rallye’s.
    • The owner had the opportunity to meet personnaly the designer of the 412, Mister Leonardo Fioravanti and he decided to sign the car on the sun visor (see picture)
    • This car was also selected by Ferrari Belgium for display on the Expo “Ferrari 70 years” in the museum Autoworld in Brussels
    • Officina Valenti, the well-known Ferrari specialist take care of it since 2013
    • Regularly maintenance
    • Replacement of belts and power steering pump
    • Replacement both fuel pumps
    • Replacement of exausts
    • Replacement of 12 injectors and revision of the K-Jetronics systems
    • ……..
    • Mechanically, the car drives perfectly
    • New paint in the original color a few years ago
    • The pneumatic suspension is working perfectly
    • Will be delivered with original books
    • Belgian registration
    • Time2Drive is mandated by the owner for the sale of this car
    • Visit only on appointment in Wavre (Belgium)
  • Market Find: 1987 Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV in Giallo Fly set for Broad Arrow at The Amelia

    Market Find: 1987 Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV in Giallo Fly set for Broad Arrow at The Amelia

    What: 1987 Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV
    Color: Giallo Fly (giallofly; non-metallic UNI; 215201 / 83671; Lamborghini)
    VIN: ZA9CA05A9HLA12162
    Mileage: 24,500 kilometers (15,225 miles)
    Estimate: $550,000 – $650,000
    CarFax: Inquire with Broad Arrow
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Broad Arrow The Amelia Auction 2025
    Dealer listing: Link

    Why we love it:

    In Italian “countach” is an expression like “goodness” or “oh my God.” Sounds about right. Car-aware kids of the 1980s likely exclaimed it when they first encountered one, maybe in the pages of Road & Track or maybe in that opening scene of Cannonball Run. No doubt they headed on down to the local mall and picked up a Choices poster at Spencer Gifts, hung it on their bedroom wall and stared longingly at it for years to come. Now, they’re adults and they all dream of the same Countach fantasy. And, if they’re appropriately funded, they add one to the garage. If you’re that kid, you should check out this ’87 Countach 5000 QV set to cross the Broad Arrow block at The Amelia in a few weeks.

    And while monochromatic “cocaine white” on white will get you Wolf of Wall Street cred, or black on gold will get you reliving the Cannonball Run, we’d argue a Giallo Fly (Fly Yellow) on brown leather brings back 80s vibes with just as much authenticity.

    This one’s a desirable setup, a later Quattrovalvole 48-valve version of the V12 with “round belly” design, yet predating all the plastic cheese gratery of the final 50th anniversary models. This car is one of just 66 fuel-injected U.S. market cars ever produced. It is well preserved and unmodified, and has spent much of its life in California and Florida. It’s also had mechanical refurbishment done recently in 2024.