One to Buy: ex-Joe Pytka / Michael Jackson 17,000 mile 1986 Ferrari Testarossa Straman Spider
In terms of the cars Ferrari should have officially offered during the 1980s, perhaps the best candidate was a Spider version of the iconic Testarossa.
We use the phrase ‘officially offered’ because Pininfarina did produce a tiny handful of Testarossa Spiders for VIP clients such as Fiat Chairman Gianni Agnelli and the Brunei Royal Family, however, it was not possible to walk into a Ferrari showroom and place an order for a drop top derivative of Ferrari’s Flat 12-engined supercar.
To fill this void, a number of aftermarket firms began to provide a Spider conversion service for existing Testarossa owners, perhaps the best known of which was Richard Straman Coachworks based in Newport, California. For a circa 40% price premium over a stock Testarossa, the Straman company would remove the roof, add suitable structural reinforcement to the chassis and fit a bespoke folding canvas roof.
Richard Straman’s firm is understood to have converted a dozen Testarossas to Spider trim in period, arguably the most famous of which is currently on the market at the Canepa showroom in Scotts Valley, California.
Chassis 65417 was supplied new to renowned American film, television, commercial and video director, Joe Pytka, who wanted it to star as Michael Jackson’s car in an elaborately produced four-part 1987 Pepsi commercial.
Pytka retained his black Testarossa (one of just two Spiders completed as such by Straman) until 2013. Since then, the car has remained in the possession of just one other custodian and is today being offered in superb condition throughout with a little under 18,000 miles on the odometer.
Reprinted below is Canepa’s description:
VIN: ZFFSA17A7G0065417
Mileage: 17,729
Featured in Pepsi's commercial "The Chopper" featuring Michael Jackson
Authenticated by director and former owner, Joe Pytka
Believed to be 1 of only 12 Testarossa Spiders ever built by Straman
Believed to be only 1 of 2 examples painted in Nero (black)
Featured in September 1987 Car and Driver Magazine “TOP(less) SECRET TESTAROSSA”
4.9L flat 12 engine, 5-speed manual transmission
Built by R. Straman Coachworks of Costa Mesa, CA in early 1987
Unveiled in 1984, the Ferrari Testarossa quickly captured the spotlight, becoming a symbol of the bold and extravagant decade it epitomized. Although subtle refinements were introduced throughout its production, the Testarossa’s avant-garde styling retained its sharpness—both in concept and execution—until its final year in 1996.
Powered by a 4.9-liter Tipo F113A engine paired with a gated five-speed manual transmission, the car delivered a thrilling combination of driver engagement and a symphonic 12-cylinder roar. Its design struck a masterful balance, exuding both menace and grace, blending futuristic vision with timeless appeal.
This 1986 Ferrari Testarossa headed towards a very different path than many of its other 12-cylinder siblings might have seen. While many might have been destined for the streets of Los Angeles or to be put away into a garage, this Nero Ferrari Testarossa had something much grander in store.
Joe Pytka, celebrated director and first owner of this Testarossa, purchased the car to be featured in a commercial with a certain massively famous celebrity, but not before Richard Straman of R. Straman Coachworks finessed it.
At this time the coachbuilder had made a name for high quality and exceptional automotive customization, and the Testarossa Spider project was no exception.
Believed to have only made 12 examples, 2 of which were black, the final result was a unique and extremely iconic 80s design that to this day looks as if the Ferrari factory produced it. The roof was removed, structural elements were reinforced for safety and handling dynamics, and a custom soft top was fitted for those who might get caught out in inclement weather.
This custom build cost? In period, an eye-watering $40,000 on top of a Ferrari Testarossa which was already close to $100,000 by itself.
Once the conversion was completed, Joe Pytka prepared the Ferrari for its closeup. Prepared for a 4-part series of Pepsi commercials, Pytka insisted that the Ferrari Testarossa be used for “The Chase” segment, with a supercar matching the popularity and style of the celebrity driving it.
This was not just any celebrity, but 1980s powerhouse singer, song writer, and dancer Michael Jackson. Featuring “The King of Pop” escaping from the paparazzi via helicopter, running down the street, and then jumping into his topless Testarossa to drive down an alleyway, the commercial was a smash hit and cemented this Testarossa into Hollywood stardom.
Pytka ended up keeping the Testarossa until 2013, where he authenticated the title and confirmed that this Testarossa was the vehicle used in that specific commercial. In 2013 the car received a major service indicated by the documents accompanying the vehicle. The car was then acquired by a major collector, whose collection is a prime example of a wide spectrum of automotive interests and cultural significance.
Vehicles used in movies and commercials are often times dismantled, or are extensively modified in order to accommodate filming equipment, leaving a shell of a vehicle after the fact. In this instance, this Testarossa was modified for the exact purpose of creating the ultimate Michael Jackson commercial.
Iconic, aggressive, and most importantly complete and authenticated, this 1986 Ferrari Testarossa sits among the few vehicles that Michael Jackson has graced during his stardom.
Complete as 1 of possibly 12 examples ever built, 1 of 2 in the menacing Nero color, with only 17,729 original miles, you can own this piece of Italian 1980s history.
