Richard Rawlings has a vision of transforming one of his Ferrari Testarossas into an electric vehicle, while also giving his damaged Ferrari 812 Superfast a fresh look with a carbon fiber body kit.
Photo by Gas Monkey Garage & Richard Rawlings
Richard Rawlings, known for his role on the TV show Fast N' Loud and his passion for cars, is not just a celebrity but also an avid car collector. Beyond his car collection, Rawlings enjoys modifying vehicles, occasionally in ways that might not align with the preferences of enthusiasts of specific car models. Currently, Gas Monkey Garage is actively engaged in the preparation of not one but two unique Ferrari builds, a project that may raise some questions among purists but is certainly intriguing and worth exploring.
The Gas Monkey Garage projects are notably unconventional, as they have ventured into modifying vehicles from Ferrari, a company known for its strict stance on customizing their cars according to owners' preferences. Furthermore, one of the Ferrari sports cars slated for extensive modifications is a Testarossa, a model that has gained iconic status in the eyes of many.
Gas Monkey Garage purchased Five Testarossa from Ireland
Photo by Gas Monkey Garage & Richard Rawlings
Rawlings journeyed to Mallusk, Ireland, for a unique encounter with a Ferrari collection that stood out: five identical red Testarossa sports cars. What made these Ferraris particularly intriguing was their unconventional appearance; they sported imitation bullet holes, cracked windshields, and multiple dents. These modifications were a result of their use as stunt vehicles in the 2021 action film "Infinite," starring Mark Wahlberg. Unfortunately, the movie did not meet expectations, leading to the acquisition of these five Testarossas by J&F Group.
Despite the fact that these sports cars had not undergone any restoration following the abuse they endured, Rawlings maintained his interest in acquiring them. He made a personal visit to the J&F Group showroom in Ireland and engaged in negotiations with the group. Eventually, he acquired all five Testarossas and made arrangements for their shipment to the United States. At that point, Rawlings had not yet formulated a clear plan for what he would do with them.
Transformation of a Testarossa into an Electric Vehicle among Five
Richard Rawlings unveils two exclusive Ferrari 1-of-1. Video by Gas Monkey Garage & Richard Rawlings
Over time, Rawlings recognized that he had accumulated an excessive number of Ferrari Testarossas. It's possible that with five brand-new Testarossas in his possession, he felt entitled to make independent decisions about their fate. Consequently, Rawlings arrived at a conclusion: to embark on an exciting transformation journey by converting one of the Testarossas into an electric vehicle.
Transforming a classic car into an electric vehicle demands a deep understanding of the conversion process. Thus, Rawlings decided to reach out to Legacy EV to explore the feasibility of an electro-mod conversion. This endeavor would be intricate, but Legacy EV left no stone unturned in showcasing their past accomplishments to impress Rawlings. Eventually, one of the five red Testarossa sports cars was entrusted to Legacy EV, personally delivered by Rawlings.
Legacy EV. Photo by Gas Monkey Garage & Richard Rawlings
Upon completion of the Testarossa's EV conversion, Gas Monkey Garage plans to christen it with a new name: "The Testa".
Reviving a Wrecked Ferrari 812: Gas Monkey's Restoration Story
Photo by Gas Monkey Garage & Richard Rawlings
Earlier this year, Rawlings was captivated by a white Ferrari 812 Superfast. This particular Ferrari was listed for sale on an auction website and remained fully operational. However, there were visible areas that seemingly suffered from irreparable damage. This presented a substantial risk, considering the Ferrari's high value, and there were no guarantees that Rawlings could successfully repair and restore this luxury sports car.
Upon acquiring the 812 Superfast, Rawlings wasted no time in launching the restoration process. Initially budgeting around $40,000 for the project, he ultimately invested approximately $200,000. The result was a fully revived and well-functioning 812 Superfast, but the project costs left Rawlings facing a significant budget deficit.
Ferrari 812 will take center stage in Gas Monkey Garage's SEMA showcase
Photo by Gas Monkey Garage & Richard Rawlings
The Ferrari 812 Superfast has become one of Gas Monkey Garage's cherished treasures. However, much like the Testarossa, it is currently in the process of transformation. Roughly a month ago, Rawlings had the 812 Superfast transported to Creative Bespoke for a significant change - a carbon fiber makeover. It appears that Creative Bespoke has already produced the carbon fiber body kit for the 812 Superfast and is now preparing to install it on the sports car.
As per Rawlings, these unique one-of-a-kind creations are set to make their debut at this year's SEMA Show. They are in the process of being transformed into highly distinctive Testarossa and 812 Superfast sports cars, with the aim of capturing attention at the upcoming SEMA Show. Currently, Gas Monkey Garage is eagerly anticipating the completion of the projects by Legacy EV and Bespoke Creations.
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