In a discrete manor on September 24th, 1984 a specifically selected group of Ferrari dealers were invited to the reveal of the Testarossa in Modena, Italy at the Scuderia Ferrari facility. After their arrival, the dealers were invited to ride along with factory test drivers on the Imola track in two prototype Testarossas. Less than a month later, on October 2nd, 1984 Ferrari showcased the all new Testarossa at the Lido Club in Paris, and a day later at the Paris Auto Show at Porte De Versailles. The immediate acceptance of this car was shown through the 37 orders that were taken at the show.

The Testarossa was designed by Ferrari specifically for the U.S. market’s strict safety and emissions rules, applying lessons learned by the Ferrari racing program and also marking a dramatic entry into the high performance, luxury gran turismo market. Like all Ferraris, its signature element was the engine, returning to Ferrari’s roots with twelve cylinders, but arrayed in Boxer (horizontally-opposed) fashion. This had been tried and proven in the 365 and 512 BBs, but the Testarossa allowed them to put it in a remarkable new body by Pininfarina which was a clear departure from their earlier designs for Ferrari coupes.

The Testarossa design emphasis was on airflow management, taking advantage from Ferrari’s racing experience. The body design was developed in Pininfarina’s wind tunnel specifically to develop high speed aerodynamic downforce. It’s most dramatic feature, and one which would be adopted for a succession of subsequent Pininfarina designs for Ferrari, were the side strakes which channeled cooling air into the engine cooling radiators located in front of the massive rear wheels.

The Testarossa’s structure was mostly aluminum, but steel was used for the doors and roof. The interior was luxuriously appointed and large enough to accommodate “American sized” drivers. It proved to be hugely successful both in sales and in re-establishing Ferrari at the top rank of luxury high performance GT cars.

This 1988 Testarossa is sporting a Bosch K-Jetronic fuel-injected 4,943-cc 380-hp flat twelve-cylinder DOHC engine that is connected to a five-speed manual gearbox. The steering is precise, and comes from a rack-and-pinion system that enhances the cornering ability of this well balanced car. The chassis features four-wheel independent suspension by way of double wishbones, coil springs, telescopic dampers; limited-slip differential and four-wheel vented disc brakes allow for superb stopping ability. The Ferrari offered here is finished elegantly in Nero and the car still retains the original Ferrari wheels. The interior is tailored with Tan Connolly leather interior, Ferrari floor mats, air conditioning; power mirrors and windows.

The preserved state that this car is presented in cannot be overstated. It has a reported 19,516 documented original miles, and only 1,025 miles documented since an engine-out belt service was completed. Complete records of servicing are included. Also included with the Ferrari is the original leather pouch containing the owner’s manual, original toolkit, jack, spare tire and two sets of original keys.

The production of these fine Italian automobiles was started in 1984 and came to an end towards the end of 1991. Total production came to 7,177 cars; and in 1988 only 1,072 were manufactured and approximately 390 of these were U.S. versions. Upon the release of the Testarossa to the public, reporter Mark Hughes said, "It is awesomely quick and handles brilliantly with such ease, grace and composure, that it is a remarkably undemanding car to drive.”