The most iconic automobile of the 1980s was, perhaps, the Ferrari Testarossa. The Italian word Testarossa translates to “redhead,” a nod to the color of the cylinder heads on the original, race-dominating Ferrari 250 TR of the late-1950s and early-1960s. Honoring that model’s heritage, Ferrari bestowed the nickname on the new coupe.

Introduced the night before the opening of the 1984 Paris Motor Show at the famed Lido nightclub on the Champs Elysees, Ferrari’s dramatic Testarossa took the world by storm. It gained additional popularity with a white with tan interior example being showcased in the hit TV show Miami Vice. Crockett and Tubbs, plus the Ferrari were soon a popular poster image and many youths had it prominently featured on a bedroom wall. However, the Testarossa is so much more than just a looker, and expert’s heaped acclaim upon it as the car made the rounds to the various specialty magazines that put the Ferrari through its paces and reported their findings to anxious, Ferrari-loving aficionados.

Angular and aggressive, the Testarossa’s bodywork was a dramatic departure from the more curvaceous 512 BB; it certainly put forth a design that was all its own and without excuses. Mechanically, the Testarossa was a vast improvement over the 512 BB. Redesigned to address the issues of limited luggage space and unfavorable cabin heat, Ferrari needed its new car to be bigger than its predecessor. Its overall width was increased by nearly half-a-foot, while the wheelbase grew by 2.5-inches over the 512, giving the Testarossa a menacing stance on the road and also providing its occupants with more space for their belongings. The powertrain was redesigned to have four valves per cylinder, which meant more horsepower and breathability over the flat-12 in the 512 BB. The addition of a new clutch helped to manage power at the rear wheels. As a result, the Testarossa’s performance was incredible for the 1980s, and it still remains respectable today. With a top speed of just under 180-mph, the 380 horsepower “redhead” could accelerate to 60-mph from a dead stop in just over five seconds.

Running with a 4,943-cc, 380-hp horizontally-opposed (flat) 12 cylinder engine, the Testarossa has a five-speed manual gearbox and reported to be sparingly utilized and having a clean Carfax report. This 1987 Ferrari Testarossa is wearing the exciting, desirable and “extremely rare” Ferrari color combination of Giallo over Nero leather interior. Benefitting from a recent $10,000 engine-out full service (5/13/2015) that included work being executed on the belts, brakes, seals, fuel pumps and the cooling system; this example comes complete with records, books, tools, jack and spare. Presented as original, the car has conveniences such as a radio, power windows and power four-wheel disc brakes. It is accompanied by service records dating back to the first 1,200 mile service which was completed by the first of two owners.

A Ferrari Testarossa is looked upon by many as a “must-have” automobile. It remains the quintessential example of high-spirited ’80s style and turns heads going down the road today as it did when it was new. This Testarossa is a fantastic driver in fine condition. It should have little issue in satisfying the automotive requirements of the individual who has been looking for an exotic machine to match their dreams; especially with the desirable color combination on this freshly serviced, little used Ferrari Testarossa.