1995 Ferrari F512M

The name Testa Rossa means 'red head' in Italian and was in reference to the re-painted cam covers on the 12-cylinder engines. It was built as a replacement to the Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer, which itself had replaced the front-engined Daytona. The Testarossa was designed to correct some of the shortcomings of the Ferrari BB 512i, including the cabin which would rise in temperature due to the indoor plumbing that ran between the front-mounted radiator and the mid-mounted engine. Another drawback was the lack of luggage space. To resolve these issues, the Testarossa was half a foot wider than the Boxer and it had an increased wheelbase. The additional room allowed for extra storage space behind the seats and the higher roofline allowed for more headroom.

The design was by Pininfarina, led by design chief Leonardo Fioravanti with a team that included Ian Cameron, Guido Campoli, Diego Ottina, and Emanuele Nicosia. The outcome included the iconic side strakes, often known as 'cheese graters' or 'egg slicers', and a single high-mounted side view mirror on the driver's side. The U.S. destined examples had the mirror positioned lower and was soon joined by a passenger-side mirror. Twin side radiators were placed near the engine at the rear, eliminating the piping and allowing the cabin to be cooler.

The engine was a 4.9-liter naturally aspirated, longitudinally-mounted, 180-degree Ferrari flat-12 unit. It had a similar displacement and compression ratio to the BB 512i, but with red-painted cylinder heads. There were dual overhead cams, four valves per cylinder (a total of 48), and a dry-sump lubrication system. The engine offered 385 horsepower at 6,300 RPM and 361 lb/ft of torque. Early U.S. examples had slightly less power, at 380 bhp. The suspension was similar to its predecessor, with double wishbones in the front and rear. In the back were coil springs, twin telescopic shock absorbers on each side, and an anti-roll bar. This setup continued until the mid-1988 when it was redesigned and the wheels were changed to the standard Ferrari five-bolt pattern.

The rear wheels were originally 10-inch wide alloys. They were a magnesium single bolt 'knockoff' style wrapped in Michelin TRX tires. The tires measured 240/45 VR 415 at the front and 280/45 VR 415 at the rear. By 1986, the wheels were changed to a standard 16 inches diameter, with a width of 8 inches at the front and 10 inches at the rear. The United States market, however, received the metric-sized TRX wheels until the 1989 model year.

Zero-to-sixty was accomplished in 5.3 seconds, and top speed was achieved at 180 mph. The Testarossa was introduced for the 1985 model year and would remain in production until 1991, with 7,177 examples built.

The Testarossa was followed by the 512 TR in 1991 and would remain in production for a short time, until 1994, with 2,261 examples built. Power was from a 4.9-liter engine offering 428 horsepower and 362 lb/ft of torque. Zero-to-sixty took just 4.8 seconds and had a top speed of 195 mph.

The final evolution of the Testarossa was the F512M (Modificata), and 501 examples were built. Most were left-hand-drive with just 75 having right-hand-drive configuration. The flat-12 engine displaced 4.9 liters and offered 440 horsepower and 370 ft/lbs of torque. The most visual change was to the front which now had fixed headlights, rather than the older retractable units. The nose was restyled in a similar fashion to the F355 and the 456, which new turn signal indicators and fog lamps. The back retained styling cues from its siblings and was fitted with round taillights, which were similar to the ones found on the F355. Minor changes were made to the interior, with a modern steering wheel, adjustable aluminum pedals, a chrome-finished gearknob, a more refined air-conditioning system, and updated trim. New five-spoke alloy wheels were also fitted at the four corners.

Underneath, the suspension received modifications with gas-filled shock absorbers and a Bosch ABS system. The engine had the same cubic capacity and fuel-injection system found on the 512 TR, but with several internal modifications, which helped raise the power to 440 bhp. Titanium alloy connecting rods and new forged aluminum pistons were fitted, along with a lightened crankshaft, which helped raise the compression ratio to 10.4:1. The rise in horsepower was also aided by a new stainless steel exhaust system.

The 512M was the final evolution of the Testarossa and would be the last Ferrari to be powered by a flat-12-cylinder engine.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: ZFFVG40A1S0101411

Ferrari released an iteration of the Testarossa platform in 1994, the F512 M. At the time, the Testarossa had been in production for 10 years and development of the new 550 Maranello was not yet compete. The F512 M was given several changes over the Testarossa, including to the nose which was fitted with fixed headlights, rather than the older retractable units. The nose was restyled in similar fashion to the F355 and the 456, with new turn signal indicators and fog lamps. In the back, the styling cues from its siblings continued, with round taillights similar to those of the F355. Inside, the updates continued such as a new, more modern steering wheel, adjustable aluminum pedals, a more refined air-conditioning system, and updated trim. Completing the visual updates included new five-spoke alloy wheels.

Mechanical upgrades included work to its suspension, which now included gas-filled shock absorbers and a Bosch ABS system. The engine had the same cubic capacity and fuel-injection system as the 512 TR, but were given several upgrades internally, resulting in a rise to 440 brake horsepower. Titanium alloy connecting rods and new forged aluminum pistons were fitted, along with a lightened crankshaft, which helped to increase the compression ratio to 10.4:1. A new stainless steel exhaust was also installed.

Production of the F512M came to a close in 1996, after 501 examples had been produced, with just 75 allocated for the U.S. market.

This particular example is finished in Rosso Corsa over Beige, and is the 51st U.S-specification F512 M built. It was first sold by Ferrari of Scottsdale in January 1997 to its first private owner in Fountain Hills, Az. The car remained with that individual until his passing, and it was then sold once again by Ferrari of Scottsdale. The car is currently in the care of its second owner. It remained in Arizona until the spring of 2004, when it was shipped to the owner's summer residence in New York, where it has remained.

Currently, the car has just 11,000 miles on the odometer.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: ZFFVG40A1S0102932

The Testarossa name was revived in 1984 when Ferrari introduced its new supercar. Its 5.0-liter, flat-12 engine was mounted mid-ship and offered 380 bhp at 6,300 RPM courtesy of four-valve cylinder heads. The top speed was achieved at 180 mph. Its Pininfarina-designed exotic body rivaled Lamborghini's Countach. It featured gill slats feeding air to its side-mounted radiators were among its most unique and memorable features.

The Testarossa was succeeded by the 512TR version in 1992, which came with 428 horsepower. In 1995, the final incarnation was introduced, the 512M. It came with major cosmetic changes, including fixed lamps beneath clear covers, replacing the prior pop-up headlights. The grille size was reduced, three-piece fitted, and round tail lamps were added. Titanium connecting rods went into the engine, giving the engine a slight boost in power and torque. In total, 501 examples of the 512M were built. Just seventy-five examples made it into the United States in 1995.

This particular example is finished in Rossa Corsa with a black leather interior. Its original owner was from Houston, Texas. Currently, it has 42,000 miles on its odometer. It had a major engine out service at 41,979 miles.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: ZFFVG40A1S0104065
Engine number: 41709

This Ferrari F512M was the 74th of the 75 numbered units built for the U.S. market and the last such example by chassis number. It was completed at the Ferrari factory in late 1995 and was finished in Rosso Corsa over Nero, and optioned with a radio and attractive modular Speedline wheels. In early 1996, the car was delivered to the official Ferrari dealer Algar Enterprises in Rosemont, Pennsylvania. It soon found its first owner, Terence Schroeder of Bernardsville, New Jersey, who kept it for the next two decades before it was sold to Motorcar Gallery in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The current owner acquired it in 2019 with 25,928 original miles showing on the odometer. Since then, the car has been given a comprehensive service, including an engine-out belt replacement.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: ZFFVG40A0S0100590
Engine number: 38256

Ferrari introduced the F512 M, or 'Modificata,' in 1994 as the final iteration of the Testarossa and the final flat-12-powered Ferrari produced. Modifications were made to the chassis and cosmetics, along with numerous internal engine upgrades, including titanium rods and other lightened components. With a boost in compression, the engine produced 440 brake horsepower, an increase of 60 over the Testarossa's 380 brake horsepower. This increase was complemented by a near 50:50 weight distribution, a new Bosch ABS braking system, a new stainless exhaust, and an updated suspension. In regards to styling, the 512 M was given a unique set of taillights, three-piece alloy wheels, and a completely revised front fascia.

Ferrari built just 501 examples of the F512M. This particular example is serial number 20 of 75 examples produced for the United States market. It was sold new to actor Lorenzo Lamas on October 16th of 1966 via Ferrari of Beverly Hills. It had left the factory wearing Rosso Corsa over beige leather and currently has less than 14,500 miles on the odometer.

After Lamas, the car was owned by a pair of subsequent owners in Southern California, at least until 2005. In June 2009, this F512 M appeared within the inventory of Algar Ferrari of Philadelphia, then showing approximately 8,000 miles. In October 2010, the car was sold to a Florida-based collector, where it remained until May 2015, then showing approximately 13,000 miles.

The car was shown at the Cavallino XXIV in Palm Beach, Florida, in January 2015, where it won both a Platinum Award and the Modern Preservation Cup. A short time later, it was submitted to Ferrari Classiche and certified as retaining its matching-numbers engine and gearbox.

Currently, this Ferrari F512 M is in the Fox Collection and has 14,475 miles on the odometer.

by Dan Vaughan

When Ferrari set about creating a replacement for the Berlinetta Boxer, a V12 engine, high performance, style and exemplary design were assumed. Ferrari dictated that luxury and practicality befitting the world's premier production sports car were also to be encompassed. Even as the Testarossa exerted a pull on the hearts and minds of car lovers, not to mention designers, Ferrari did not sit on their laurels. 1984's Testarossa evolved into the 512TR of 1991 and the F512M of 1995. With each evolution the styling, interior, and drivetrain were enhanced in a car that was always capable of speeds exceeding 180 mph, accelerated to 60 mph in under 5 seconds, and attained 0.9G lateral acceleration.

Design

In 1995 the 512 TR became the F512M. Aerodynamics again drove styling changes including a new integrated nose cap with trapezoidal indicator and parking lights above separate round fog lights. Fixed homofocal headlights were mounted behind lexan. The car's undertray was again redesigned for improved airflow, and round Ferrari tail lights replaced the original square units.

Drivetrain

The F512M's engine was even lighter than the 512 TR's, with most reduction coming internally through forged aluminum pistons, titanium connecting rods, and a revised crankshaft. The combustion chambers were reshaped, and the exhaust system was redesigned. The F512M offers 432bhp at 6750rpm and 367lbs-ft at 5500rpm.

Interior

The interior of the F512M did not change radically from that of the 512 TR, although optional racing seats seats were offered. A small storage bin was added ahead of the console, and the console itself was more fully covered in leather. Aluminum replaced plastic for the spherical knob atop the gear shifter. A new three spoke Momo steering wheel was introduced, its rim a little thicker, and the inner rim between around the upper spokes made of carbon fiber rather than leather. The driver's pedals were replaced by adjustable ones of drilled aluminum.

by Ferrari