From the moment it was introduced at a Paris night club in 1984, the Testarossa has always been a visually stunning expression of Ferrari. Its shocking proportions, particularly the width of the rear track, were driven by the decision to move the radiators from the front of the car to the sides to reduce cabin heat, necessitating what became the car’s visual calling card: the long strakes on the doors and rear fenders. Much of the car’s development was aimed at making the Testarossa more civilized than its Boxer predecessor, addressing contemporary complaints that the Boxer was too hot, too raw and insufficiently usable. By that measure, the Testarossa was a success: it offered exceptionally high performance but was also refined and comfortable. It was a blend that struck a chord with buyers in the consumption-crazed 1980s, and over 7,200 examples were built, making it one of Ferrari’s most successful cars of all time.
The Testarossa received minor updates throughout its relatively long production run, and then a major update for the 1992 model year when it became the 512 TR. Virtually every system of the car was substantially re-engineered, largely with the goal of addressing complaints that the original Testarossa had forgone a little too much of the visceral excitement that should define a Ferrari. The fuel injection was changed from Bosch CIS to Motronic, the valves enlarged, and the compression ratio increased. The exhaust system was also redesigned and the resulting engine gained approximately 50hp and a broader power curve while also becoming dramatically more responsive and sounding much better. The engine was also moved forward and down in the car, a significant enough change to improve the weight distribution by one percentage point at each axle. The suspension was also revised, the steering ratio quickened, and lower profile tires fitted to go with new 18 inch wheels, an increase of two inches. The brakes were also enlarged and fitted with cross drilled rotors. Relatively few changes were made during 512 TR production, including the addition of defeatable ABS, a switch from a black shift knob to a polished metal one, a different one-piece Pininfarina badge on the rear fenders, and among the latest cars, the incorporation of the improved differential that would be standard on the 512M.
This is one such late production car which incorporates all of these updates. Originally delivered in Nyon, Switzerland by Ferrari (Suisse) SA on 17 July 1996, the car remained in Europe until being imported to the United States in 2021. In October 2022, the car received a major service including timing belts and tensioner, accessory belts, air filter, new spark plugs, new gaskets, brake fluid, and new coolant. The air conditioning was converted to R134a and the receiver-drier also replaced. The front and rear brake lines were also replaced, as was one axle boot and the windscreen wiper blades. The car was also comprehensively detailed and ceramic coated as well. This work was completed 1,200 kilometers ago.
The car presents exceptionally inside and out. It genuinely looks like a car that has covered fewer than 10,000 miles, with superb paint, trim, upholstery, and carpets. The trunk and engine compartment are in similarly nice condition. Mechanically, the car is on the button as well, running, operating and driving exactly as it should, down to the cold AC.
Present with the car are the books set, two keys, tool set, two Ferrari car covers, two seat covers, service records from the current ownership period, and a five-piece Schedoni luggage set.
