It’s always intriguing to see cars end of up overseas and eventually come back to the U.S. This happens quite frequently with exotics and other sports cars that are difficult to track down due to limited production numbers. This 1988 Ferrari Testarossa was sold new in the U.S. in the Philadelphia region before being acquired for display in a private collection in Kuwait. It has since returned stateside and is now located in Maryland. The Testarossa is listed here on eBay with a striking black over red color combination and an asking price of $175,000 or best offer.
It still wears its Kuwaiti license plate, which is a nice touch by the seller to not remove it from the car. It certainly adds to its story, but it’s also surprising considering how many exotic cars already reside there – why go through the trouble of importing a USDM vehicle? Perhaps the color combo was hard to come by at the time and this one was the only example for sale. Regardless, this Testarossa has actually been driven, racking up over 46,000 original miles which is rather unusual for one of these. It makes me curious to find out where the bulk of those miles were acquired.
It certainly hasn’t hurt the car’s condition, however, with an absolutely spectacular interior showcasing red leather seats, carpeting, and door panels, along with a period-correct aftermarket steering wheel (the original Testarossa wheel is included with the sale.) Other modifications appear to include a significant stereo installation behind the rear seats that is at least very cleanly installed, even if it’s a shame to see any deviations from stock. At one time, the Testarossa was one of the hottest exotics on the market along with the Lamborghini Countach, so it’s not surprising to see one sporting some period modifications.
Equipped with a 4.9 L flat-12 engine, the Testarossa produced 385 b.h.p. and 361 lb.-ft. of torque when new. Like all exotics, this Testarossa needs a fair amount of upkeep, and the seller doesn’t say much about the mechanical health of the engine. At this price point, I would be expecting a proper belt service and all fluids changed before taking delivery, so if you’re in the market, be sure to ask before placing your bid or offer. The Testarossa is undoubtedly a modern classic, and this one already has an intriguing back story to go along with it.
Yep, checked the seller’s other auctions and thy have a fair number of ‘repatriated’ vehicles showing up here. Tiny footboxes; wonder if shoe size is important…
Including the 1969 GTX featured on this site a few days ago.
Steve R
Wave the red flag then. That car was a legal mess.
The buyer had better do some VIN research here.
James May says it’s not an H12, it’s a 180-degree V12.
Yes, by convention, the “H” configuration is two “flat” (ie horizontally opposed cylinders) units one mounted atop the other (eg the 1966-1967 BRM H16, or the wartime Napier-Sabre H24) while engineers insist the “Flat 12” in the Boxer/TR/512 is a “180 degree vee” or “flattened vee”; they make the distinction between “true boxers” and other “flats”. The engineers are correct but, to most of us, what’s in the Boxer/TR/512 is called a “flat 12” to distinguish it from the V12s. On the Ferrari website, the “boxer vs flat vs 180 degree vee” distinction is explained but on several pages, the company goes on cheerfully to use the terms interchangeably.
Remember kids when plastic replaced metal it’s crumble time.Not a put down
[as a restorer] plastic don’t last.no mater how its stored.
First time I drove a race 2CV, I got stuck behind a Testarossa at Knockhill.
They’re so wide that I couldn’t get past it in the twisty bits, and then it got away on the straight bits. Caught it up again at Duffus/McIntyre’s.
Dream car or nightmare?
Would go with pleasant nightmare if you got the $$$ LoL
A buddy bought a 512TR in the same paint scheme, he’s done very well for himself in life.
That said, whoever buys this should have some deep pockets! While in solid shape overall required a bunch of wiring to be replaced along with both in-tank fuel pumps . . .
After it was properly sorted he sold it on, too much of headache compared to his other cars.
So you are not really dead.
The jury is out on that count Howie, day by day as they say ;)
Owned a red version with tan interior, great car when I could drive it but spent too much time in the shop and EXPENSIVE to repair, for instance a shifting issue was over $25K and 4 weeks off the road amoung many other electrical issues, need to have VERY deep pockets to fully enjoy. As the old saying goes among Ferrari entusiasts “buy a Ferrari and hire a qualified factory mechanic to sit next to you when driving:(
Being any Ferrari I know very little looked up current prices on this car seems to be a fair price but current and long term service records make a huge difference on that price. Also these cars require a engine out belt service every 3-5 years that costs from $20,000 to $30,000 can only imagine what a break job or any other service costs.
Hard to get in and out of. As noted, narrow foot wells make shifting hard, not comfortable ergonomics. No room for luggage to use as a cross country car, plus if you did, would it even start in the morning in Podunk USA? Does Gomer or Goober down at Wallys service station even have a set of metric wrenches? Do you know what they specialize in? I’ll give you a hint, what did Andy always drive? Only the greatest make of car ever! Okay, I don’t even have to say it, it is so obvious. Truth indeed! Lastly, remember who whipped them badly back in the 60s. Henry Ford II might have been an ugly ogre, but he sure showed Enzo who is the boss!!!
Located in: Crownsville, Maryland