The name 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 glorious heritage, Ferrari bestowed the nickname upon the new coupe that they introduced at the Paris Auto Show of 1984. Successor to the Berlinetta Boxer, the mid-engined 12-cylinder model featured 48 valves for better breathing and more horsepower, as well as an improved clutch to deliver the 380 horses to the rear wheels. Rear-mounted radiators allowed for increased cooling, more luggage space in front, and the Testarossa’s signature body-side “strakes,” which drew air into the radiator intakes. It was a great-looking machine, and unlike many so-called “performance cars” of this emissions-strangled era, it actually went like it looked—top speed was nearly 180 mph, and acceleration from 0-60 mph took a little over 5 seconds, both still not figures to sniff at. “It emphatically remains one of the world’s truly great cars,” Autocar & Motor commented, “powered by a mighty and charismatic engine likely to be remembered as one of the finest.”

Many who were young in this era, or young at heart, remember the Testarossa from their bedroom wall, and it has become one of the most familiar sports cars of its generation.

According to the original service booklet, the Testarossa offered here, finished in Rosso Corsa over tan leather interior, was sold new by Walnut Creek Ferrari of Northern California to Ken Brehnan of Belvedere. The Carfax notes that it later relocated to Southern California and there it remained until 2014, when it was acquired for the collection with 8,794 miles recorded. Soon thereafter it underwent servicing at Fast Cars Ltd. of Redondo Beach, totaling nearly $15,000, with extensive cosmetic improvements and mechanical sorting undertaken. The car remains in very nice overall condition, and at the time of cataloguing had now recorded 8,866 miles, borne out by the Carfax as likely original mileage. It is accompanied by a set of six pieces of accessory Schedoni fitted luggage, as well as tools and its original books.

Justifiably worthy of that overused description of being “an icon of its era,” the Testarossa is still every bit the dream car that it was in 1990—a dream that can now come true.