1986 Ferrari Testarossa

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$120,000 USD | Sold

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  • Two owners from new
  • Exceptionally well documented
  • Ferrari Classiche certified

380 bhp, 4,943 cc DOHC horizontally opposed 12-cylinder engine with Bosch KE-Jetronic fuel injection, five-speed manual transmission, four-wheel independent suspension with unequal-length wishbones, coil springs, and anti-roll bars, and four-wheel ventilated disc brakes. Wheelbase: 100.4 in.

Unveiled to the world the night before the opening of the 1984 Paris Motor Show at the famed Lido nightclub on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, the Ferrari Testarossa would become nothing short of legend. With a 0–60 mph time of just over five seconds and a top speed of near 180 mph, its performance and dramatic styling had enthusiasts falling head over heels for Ferrari’s newest flat-12 creation. It soon became the poster child for a generation with numerous appearances in movies, music videos, and television shows—most notably in a starring role in Miami Vice alongside Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas.

A highly desirable single-mirror example, this particular Testarossa was delivered in October of 1986 to authorized Ferrari dealer Steven Kessler Motor Cars, Inc. of New York City and was purchased new by Fred Passarella of Oyster Bay, New York. Finished in traditional Rosso Corsa over a Beige interior, it was then registered with the personalized Florida license plate “Amore.” For the next 25 years, the car remained in Passarella’s possession and was regularly driven and maintained throughout his ownership. The car spent the majority of its time in New York, but it also travelled with Passarella to his home in Florida.

In 2008, the car was certified by Ferrari Classiche, confirming it as factory correct throughout. Passarella finally sold the car in 2011, and it was purchased that year by its current Michigan-based owner. Remarkably well preserved and original throughout, the car retains its original tool kit, manuals, and jack, in addition to a complete file of service invoices from throughout its life. Following the current owner’s acquisition of the Testarossa, its most recent engine-out, cam-belt service was completed in February of 2013, and it has been serviced annually since. In addition, it is important to note that the odometer was replaced after it malfunctioned in 2007 at 15,880 miles in Fred Passarella’s ownership. The car’s true mileage is under 20,000 miles from new.

To this day, the Testarossa remains one of the most recognizable and beloved Ferrari models ever produced. It is an icon of 1980s styling and performance, and it is just as exciting to drive today, even by current standards. Beautifully presented following a lifetime of thoughtful preservation, maintenance, and enjoyment, this Testarossa is an exceptional example throughout. Benefitting from just two owners over the course of its lifetime as well as Ferrari Classiche certification, this automotive icon would be an excellent addition to any collection.