1989 Ferrari Testarossa Coupe

The Ferrari Testarossa received its name from the legendary Testa Rossa racing car. The mid-engine Testarossa offered splendid performance with an increased degree of usability due to additional luggage space and an improved clutch. Between 1984 and 1991, just over 7,000 examples were built, before the line evolved into the 512 TR. The Testarossa was designed by Pininfarina and the V-12 engine, derived from the Berlinetta Boxer, could carry the coupe to speeds of 180 mph. The V-12 featured two banks of six horizontally-opposed cylinders and 48 valves. Bosch's latest K-Jetronic fuel injection improved power and drivability. With 380 horsepower on tap, the Testarossa could race from zero-to-sixty mph in just 5.6 seconds.

This Ferrari Testarossa is a very original and unaltered example. It was covered and stored away when brand new. As a U.S. model, this Testarossa was purchased new from Kessler Motors, in New York, on April 21, 1989. The car had 120 delivery mines while in the showroom and had a sticker price of $142,000. The car was carried by flatbed to a climate-controlled New York garage, where it joined a growing collection of vintage Italian sports cars. It was carefully preserved, and regularly started, but never moved from its resting place, until being discovered in February of 2012. At the time, it had just 129 miles on the odometer and the window sticker had never been removed from the windshield.

Today, the engine still has the 'US Model' yellow chalk markings from the factory. The underside still has sprayed-on Cosmoline, as applied at Maranello to protect it during shipping. The leather seats are just as they left Maranello. The original paper mats are still in the car. The car has its original tool kit, roadside kit, spare tire and wheel, and the owner's manuals and books.

In 2012, this car was offered for sale at RM Auction's sale in Monterey, California. The car was estimated to sell for $130,000-$160,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $264,000 inclusive of buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2012