One to Buy: 1000 mile 1988 Ferrari Testarossa
Whereas arch rival Bertone had developed a reputation for daring creations that reflected the latest fashion, Pininfarina was traditionally seen as a more conservative design house.
However, all that went out the window when, in October 1984, Pininfarina’s flamboyantly-styled Ferrari Testarossa was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show.
Thanks to its dramatically sculpted rear fenders and elaborate slatting, the Testarossa initiated an entirely new design language and became a 1980s cultural icon that perfectly reflected an optimistic new era. Its appearance in the massively successful TV show Miami Vice and the global phenomenon that was the Out Run video game catapulted the Testarossa into the public consciousness at a level rarely seen by any type of vehicle.
Another key aspect of the Testarossa’s commercial success was its availability in the all-important US market; by contrast, the BB that came before had to be purchased as a grey import and usually subject to invasive after-market environmental and safety modifications.
Set to go under the hammer with no reserve at Mecum’s Kissimmee auction in Florida on January 17th is a remarkable US market Testarossa from 1988.
Configured in the handsome colour scheme of Nero with Beige upholstery, this exceptional example has covered a little over 1000 miles from new having been carefully stored for the majority of its life. It is being offered complete with Ferrari Classiche certification that confirms its numbers matching status.
Reprinted below is Mecum’s description:
Ferrari Classiche-Certified
Odometer reads 1,045 miles
4.9L/380 HP flat 12-cylinder engine
5-speed manual transmission
Vented disc brakes
Power rack and pinion steering
Gated shifter
Leather seats
Tool kit
Full set of Ferrari duffle bags
It is impossible to overstate the impact made by the Ferrari Testarossa at its public unveiling at Paris in October 1984. A bold statement in every possible respect, from its name recalling Modena’s all-conquering sports racers of the late-1950s to its menacing, broad-shouldered Pininfarina styling replete with swooping strakes along its flanks channeling airflow into massive rear-mounted radiators, the Testarossa assumed “instant icon” status. Then again, a car of the Testarossa’s stature was required to replace the long-running Berlinetta Boxer, another definitive Pininfarina design statement introduced in 1973.
While often compared to Lamborghini’s various Countach derivatives of the era, the Testarossa was a much newer and more advanced design throughout. In addition, despite its obviously stunning and muscular bodywork that declared its purity of purpose, the new Ferrari supercar received universal praise for its remarkable level of passenger comfort and drivability. In fact, in a recent classic-car buyer’s guide, the UK’s Octane editors aptly described the Testarossa as “a remarkably user-friendly supercar,” one capable of “mighty performance delivered in a smooth manner by a sweet and free-revving flat-12.”
Sired directly from Ferrari’s 312 T Grand Prix engine design dating back to 1975, the Testarossa’s mid-mounted 4.9L engine featured Bosch K-Jetronic electronic fuel injection and cutting-edge 4-valve architecture, delivering 390 HP and making the Testarossa the world’s most powerful sports car on introduction.
While demanding few compromises from its occupants for the privilege, the Testarossa continues to deliver truly blistering performance—even by today’s jaded standards—with acceleration from rest to 60 MPH in just over 5 seconds, the quarter-mile in 12.9 seconds, and terminal velocities approaching 180 MPH. In fact, the Testarossa triumphantly remained the world’s fastest production car throughout its entire 11-year production run ending in 1995.
The Testarossa’s handling remains equally brilliant, with skid pad adhesion of 0.90 G. Based upon a competition-inspired and rigid square-section tubular frame with fully independent suspension and front and rear anti-roll bars, the Testarossa’s underpinnings included precise rack-and-pinion steering gear and large 4-wheel ventilated disc brakes. Blessed with truly great road feel and Ferrari’s classic gated gearshift lever controlling the 5-speed manual gearbox, the Testarossa seamlessly blends the classic and modern Ferrari generations and continues to deliver an exceptional drive today.
Offered with the odometer reading just 1,045 miles and the all-important Ferrari Classiche “Red Book” confirming its excellence and integrity in hand, this Testarossa’s 4.9L flat 12-cylinder engine is paired with a 5-speed manual transmission featuring Ferrari’s iconic gated shift quadrant
Featuring a Nero exterior finish and beige leather interior with bucket seats, tachometer, 200 MPH speedometer and Ferrari floor mats, this exceptional, low-mile Testarossa of course rides on a set of alloy wheels. Desirable accompanying items include a tool kit and set of Ferrari duffle bags.
