From the moment the Ferrari Testarossa was first unveiled to the public at the 1984 Paris Motor Show, it has been nothing short of a sensation. From its wedge styling to its thunderous flat-12 performance, the model has been synonymous with the supercar—a poster pinup that simply screams desirability. Forever associated with the era of excess, the model would become a favourite of everyone from M.C. Hammer to Mike Tyson. Its star only rose as the years wore on and further revisions were made, with sales finally topping 1,000 per annum three years into its production run.

What started out as the single-mirrored ‘Monospeccio’ had by the end of the decade enjoyed two significant revisions. The third arrived in 1991, as Maranello updated the iconic Testarossa lineup with the addition of the 512 TR, its numerical nomenclature hinting at the 5-litre, 12-cylinder engine that lay at its heart. The flat-12 engine’s displacement may have stayed the same as the outgoing Testarossa, but in 512 TR trim it received a useful increase in performance thanks to a higher compression ratio, adjusted porting, redesigned inlet plenums, and larger valves. Combined with reprofiled camshafts and Bosch Motronic M2.7 fuel management, the 4,943 cc engine now produced a headline 428 horsepower in European specification. Beneath the bodywork, a one-piece rear subframe allowed the engine to be mounted lower in the chassis. Weight distribution was improved, while revised suspension geometry contributed to markedly sharper handling.

Cosmetically, the angular edges of the Testarossa were softened considerably, new five-spoke alloy wheels were added, while the rear deck was styled in step with the newly launched 348. Over four years of production, just 2,261 examples of the 512 TR were built, and the model represented the penultimate development of the prodigious Testarossa’s evolution, offering both improved power and dynamics presented in an altogether more modern package.

Attractively finished in red over black, chassis 95058 left the Maranello factory in 1992 configured in right-hand-drive UK specification. Before going to Singapore the car was taken to McLaren/Prodrive where it was converted to an “F1” automatic gearbox. The lion’s share of the car’s 3,904 miles was accumulated during testing, but the gearchange was found to be too jerky and slow. As a result it was taken to Singapore and remained in storage, prior to being returned to its original configuration by Motor Service S.r.l in Modena. An accompanying invoice from February 2023 totalling €43,282 details a raft of work including repair of the instrument panel, a brake servo overhaul, skimming of brake discs, and fitment of a replacement washer pump, in addition to the replacement of countless gaskets and O-rings. This 512 TR was found to retain its matching-numbers chassis and engine.

Benefitting from considerable recent expenditure, this low-mileage and tastefully specified 512 TR is a fine example of the penultimate generation of the Testarossa lineage.