The most iconic automobile of the 1980s was, perhaps, the Ferrari Testarossa, star of many a growing boy’s bedroom wall. Testarossa means “redhead,” a nod to the color of the cylinder heads on the original, race-dominating Ferrari 250 TR of the 1950s. Honoring that model’s heritage, Ferrari bestowed the nickname on the new coupe that was introduced at the Paris Auto Show of 1984. Successor to the Berlinetta Boxer, the mid-engined 12-cylinder model featured added horsepower, with 48 valves for better breathing and an improved clutch to help deliver all that power to the rear wheels. Rear-mounted radiators allowed for increased cooling, more luggage space in front, and the Testarossa’s signature “strakes” along its flanks, which helped draw air into the radiators’ intakes.

Top speed was nearly 180 mph, and acceleration to 60 mph took a little over five seconds. Those are not figures to sneeze at today. In the 1980s, when the performance of most automobiles was best described as “wheezy,” they were unheard-of, and it was that otherworldly power that made the Testarossa a legend in its own time. Appearing on Miami Vice didn’t hurt either.

Don Davis’ “Bianco” Testarossa is a late model from 1991, the final year of the original Testarossa specification. Outfitted identically to the Miami Vice star car, it was originally delivered through Wide World of Cars in Spring Valley, New York, with all the expected amenities, including air conditioning, tan Connolly leather upholstery, electric windows, tinted glass, electric locks, and a stereo system. Original ownership paperwork documenting the car’s history since new, including the original window sticker and invoices, accompanies the car. With only two owners and 10,000 miles since new, the Testarossa has been extremely well-maintained, and overall, it presents as a one-year-old, gently used car, which, considering it is 22 years old, is quite impressive. Most importantly, however, this example also received the complete and “major” Ferrari dealer service in January 2012, with all documents and receipts accompanying the car in its sale.

The Testarossa was the ultimate status symbol in a decade that obsessed upon them, and like most things that were the best in the world in their day, it has aged exceptionally well. Today, the “Redhead” still looks great, and gearheads all over the world still want one. This is a world-class example, still good as new.