Learning lessons from eight years of Testarossa production, Ferrari introduced the 512 TR as its successor in 1991. By that time, Pininfarina’s exceptional design, introduced with the Testarossa, still looked cutting edge and had not waned in desirability to Ferrari’s discerning customers. To the casual observer, the Testarossa thus appeared largely unchanged bar a mild facelift, but there were numerous changes under the skin. The chassis was revised to allow both engine and transmission to sit 30 millimeters lower, improving the car’s center of gravity and roll center. While the displacement of the 512 TR’s inherited flat-12-cylinder engine remained the same as the Testarossa’s at 4,943 cc, its power had been increased––due to a higher compression ratio, revised porting and inlets, bigger valves, as well as Bosch Motronic M2.7 management—to a highly respectable 428 brake horsepower.

To many enthusiasts, the 512 TR is the sweet spot of the Testarossa family of Ferraris. Benefiting from updates over the original model, yet retaining the same visual panache that was somewhat lost in the succeeding F512 M, they are truly fantastic to drive, offering supercar looks and mid-engined thrills coupled with continent-crossing practicality, thanks to a spacious trunk with further storage space available behind the seats. Furthermore, the 512 TR was built in far smaller numbers than the Testarossa, with just 2,261 examples built compared to over seven thousand Testarossas constructed.

According to the accompanying CARFAX report, the vast majority of this 512 TR’s miles were accrued during the first six years of its life in Indiana with its original owner, approximately 16,000 miles by December 1999. Over the succeeding 20 years, the car has covered an additional 5,000 miles. The 512 TR’s most recent timing belt replacement was carried out in October 2020 by GT Motorsports of Pewaukee, Wisconsin at 20,965 miles.

Purchased by the current owner four years ago, the car last received an annual service, undertaken by Ferrari of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, in September 2021. At that time, the front brake pads and rotors were also replaced, and a new battery was fitted. Since then, the car has been driven less than 500 miles. The most recent work performed on the car was a new clutch fitted in March 2022 at 21,818 miles. At the time of cataloguing, the odometer shows just 21,821 miles from new.

Since the 512 TR’s acquisition by the current owner, the car has remained exceptionally well cared for in his extensive collection of Ferraris. In order to bring the car to the best cosmetic standard, it was decided that the interior would be retrimmed, utilizing correct Crema hides. Furthermore, it is fitted with a Tubi exhaust which only improves its exceptional driving experience.

Specified from new to match the color combination of the Ferrari Testarossa that starred in Miami Vice, this 512 TR is the epitome of late-1980s, early-1990s excess. No car would have turned more heads in South Beach or the South of France. Thirty years later, the same remains true as both the Testarossa and 512 TR remain true icons of their era in pop culture and in the world of classic cars.