It does seem like every Ferrari Testarossa we see is red, doesn’t it? That’s the point this seller makes of a silver-on-red example that is supposedly one of just six made. My favorite factoid is that this particular example has almost 40,000 miles on the clock, demonstrating that yes, you can buy a driver’s car and actually drive it. The seller encourages just that, noting the Testarossa is up to a cross-country drive tomorrow if you so dare. Find it here on eBay for $109K or best offer.
The Testarossa is one of the ultimate poster cars of the 80s, with plenty of movie appearances in films that captured the excess of the era. The side strakes, pop-up headlights and flat-12 powerplant represent everything wonderful about the time in which the car was made, and today the Testarossa is enjoying a bit of a resurgence after becoming a bit stale on the exotic car market.
The red leather interior with corresponding carpets and door panels is just stunning. While obviously a matter of personal choice, the red leather theme of the 80s always worked well in the imports; less so in domestic sedans from the likes of GM. The seller notes that Ferrari made one silver-with-red car per years, making this the only one made in that combination for 1990.
Of course, as with all Ferraris, the big question is engine servicing. Fortunately for the next owner, the seller has already tackled the engine-out 40K mile job, which included a belt service and full engine reseal. The A/C has been converted and is working, and new tires have been fitted. Despite the miles, this seems like the kind of Ferrari you want to buy: one that’s been used and properly serviced. While prices are on the rise, is this still a touch high for a clearly “used” Ferrari?
Time to dust of those Miami Vice vhs tapes!
I guess it would make sense that most of these would be painted red. Its name means ‘Red Head’, likely named after the 1950s Ferrari racecars that had their V12 valve covers painted red instead of the traditional black.
If you ever follow one of these on the road it might amaze you how incredibly low and wide they are. I knew they were low and wide but just how low and wide really surprised me. The point of the flat 12 was to lower the center of gravity for better handling.
Altho the Testarossa flat-12 engine wasn’t the first flat 12 engine (Ferdinand Porsche gets credit for that), Ferrari built flat 12-racing engines for their F1 cars. Bringing that basic engine design to the Testarossa made it a special supercar: as far as I know, the first road car with a flat-12 engine.
Thanks for the info!
Hmm is this a flat engine or a boxer? Im pretty sure the porshe 12 was a boxer. The difference is in the crank journals.
It’s a belt driven flat 12. 385 hp
I think it is credited with first flat 12 in a road car. (Rather than racing car)
Actually, its predecessor, the BB 512, was Ferrari’s first flat 12 road car.
Yes, of course. Not sure what i was thinking.
The injection system was changed and more valves I think?
Why is it that something so refined and precisely assembled, requires such a horrendous level of servicing? I’d rather the Talladega featured in another post, and cash in the bank.
right Canuck – ” barn finds? ”
my butt in Tenn – changing the spark plugs alone is what on this car.
It’s still only 1,400 miles a year. Lovely colour combo … I would love to own this.
I drove a Testarossa once and it was quite the experience. I say drove … can you say a 100 meters is a drive? It had 1,200 miles on it and had was being sold as a certain Sultan who had only done that mileage over 10 years.
I worked for a car magazine at the time and was taking photos for an advert.
The maintaining needed for these cars has always puzzled me. Perhaps it’s just over cautious?
I went back and forth with these. When they first came out and I saw them in the mags, I thought they were hideous. Then one morning driving to school a silver one pulled out in front of me on a check ride(the Ferrari NA prep facility used to be along my route to high school). I was blown away how low and wide it was; looking like it was sucking up the pavement. I followed it and never did make it to school that day.
So for years after I wanted a Testarossa but also really loved the look of the 328 GTS. Eventually I was able to shop for used examples and actually got to try them on(this was about 15 years ago I think). Despite being the “big” Ferrari, the TR was cramped, and very uncomfortable with having to put your legs to the right to use the pedals, not directly in front of you. The 328 on the other hand felt great in comparison, with more room and without the contortions to drive it. I almost bought an exceptional red/tan 1987 328 GTS(asking price was $40K at the time) but my brain got in the way and I used the money to buy a rental property instead. Though the condo has been a better investment, The Ferrari would have been a hell of a lot more fun! Oh well.
I think they came with one wing mirror at launch?
UK Paul, ’85 and ’86 were single high mirror TRs. Also, the early years were single-nut wheels, but changed to 5-lug in June, 1988. Another difference here in the US on early cars was that starting with the ’86s the TR got a CHMSL(center high-mounted stop light) in the rear of the engine cover; the ’85s don’t have the CHMSL.
Interesting stuff… I wonder why they did the single mirror. By the 80’s two mirrors were common on most cars?
UK Paul, the single high mirror provided a far better view above the super wide rear flanks of the TR. The low mount mirrors were less intrusive looking and provided symmetry, but were pretty useless.
The price isn’t too bad, but when you go tag that car it’s very expensive! I was thinking about purchasing one a couple of years ago, and the maintenance alone is about 3 to 4 grand yearly! I talked in depth with the owner of a exotic car lot in Calli is where I got the information! Then I was looking at over 6 grand just to put a tag on it! I decided to wait for the correct Poursche I want instead!
I still drive my 2002 Ferrari 360 challenge on the regular shows 108k miles on the average about 4g a year on maintenance still gets 19 mpg 11 city but a whole lot of fun bought it new in black ( rare ) with red interior but this year I added the 488 to my garage she now has 4K miles these are not bad cars at all love my Ferrari’s and my muscle cars
One of my neighbours has a 360 🕷. They used it so little it was a year before I realised they owned it. I have seen it out 3 times in 2 years.
Previous owners of my house had a 328, I wish they had left that in the garage.
There is something special about Ferrari that no other brand seems to capture.
The eighties were awesome, except for mullets.
VHS tapes my butt . I got the blue ray box set and watch the ferraris regularly !