1987 Ferrari Testarossa

The Ferrari Testarossa premiered at the 1984 Paris Auto Show and was produced from 1984 until 1991 as the successor to the Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer. The Testarossa name paid homage to the famed 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa racing car. Testa Rossa, which literally means “red head” in Italian, refers to the red-painted cam covers sported by both cars’ 12-cylinders.

It came with a 4.9L Flat 12 rear mid-engine, a rear-mounted five-speed manual transmission and rear wheel drive. This layout keeps the center of gravity in the middle of the car, which increases stability and improves cornering ability, which results in a standing weight distribution of 40% front: 60% rear.

Pininfarina’s team applied their know-how to set the aerodynamics layout of the car. This meant the large side intakes were not only a statement of style but actually functional. As a result, the Testarossa did not need a rear spoiler like Lamborghini’s Countach yet produced zero lift at its rear axle. The aerodynamic drag was also significantly better than the Lamborghini’s.

The Testarossa’s side strakes sometimes referred to as “cheese graters” or “egg slicers,” that spanned from the doors to the rear fenders were needed for rules in several countries outlawing large openings on cars. The strakes also made the Testarossa wider at the rear than in the front, thus increasing stability and handling.

The car won many comparison tests and admirers – it was featured on the cover of Road & Track magazine nine times in just five years. The price of the Testarossa in the US was $181,000 in 1989. Along with dozens of well known celebrities and sports stars owning a testarossa, the car was taken to icon status by the hit show Miami Vice. Don Johnson was gifted a brand new Silver 1989 Testarossa by Enzo Ferrari himself, as he was a big fan of the show.

Jack Nerad of Driving Today states, the Testarossa “… was a car designed and built to cash in on an image. And since cashing in was what the Eighties were all about, it was the perfect vehicle for its time. The saving grace was, it was also a damn good automobile.

This car has an extremely rare color combination of black on black and has it’s full set of luggage, books and tools. This TR is in Concours Award Winning condition, winning a Platinum Award at the 2015 FCA NATIONALS and a 2nd place winner at the Concours on the Avenue in Carmel, CA. (missing “Best In Class” by just 1/2 a point.) 3 owners since new and meticulously cared for by all 3. One of the best and most original Ferrari Testarossa’s available.