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. Not only did the Testarossa find its way into the garages of over 7,000 enthusiasts, it also earned a place of honor on many a child’s bedroom wall, becoming the poster-child for a generation.

Designed to replace the Berlinetta Boxer, Pininfarina’s designers took Ferrari’s mid-engined V-12 platform in an entirely different styling directly from previous Ferraris. Angular and aggressive, the Testarossa’s bodywork was a dramatic departure from the more curvaceous 512 BB. The most notable visual feature was its long side-strakes that run along the doors and rear three-quarter panels. However, those controversial “cheese graters” were functional, drawing air into the relocated dual rear-mounted radiators to keep both the engine and cabin from overheating.

Mechanically, the Testarossa was a huge improvement over the 512 BB. Redesigned to address the issues of a lack of luggage space and uncomfortable 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 add four valves per cylinder, which meant more horsepower and breathability over the V-12 in the 512BB. 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, it could accelerate to 60 mph from a dead stop in just over five seconds.

Showing under 10,000 miles on its odometer, this 1987 Testarossa has been carefully maintained and enjoyed for its entire life. Wearing the typical Ferrari color combination of Rosso Corsa over tan leather interior, this Testarossa absolutely screams “Ferrari!” The car continues to present very well. The paint is tidy, with only a few minor scratches and stone chips, particularly in the nose area. The interior shows some wear on the driver’s side carpets and seats, but overall, it is very clean and representative of the cars mileage. The headliner is mark free and shows no signs of sagging. The engine bay is also very neat and appears well looked after. There are a few small markings on the wheels, but, overall, they present very well. Regardless of its low mileage, the Testarossa received its major 30,000 mile service in late 2007 from Fast Cars Ltd., in Redondo Beach, California. Included are its original manuals and tools, items that are normally separated from most Testarossas over the years.

A Ferrari Testarossa is a must-have automobile for any collector. It remains the quintessential example of ’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 will have no problem satisfying the automotive desires of the individual who has been looking for a car to match the poster that once was, or still is, on their bedroom wall.